Tokyo Godfathers (film screening)

Tokyo Godfathers

東京ゴッドファーザーズ

Doors open 5:30PM | Film Screening | In-Person | JFT Event Hall

Directed by KON Satoshi • 2003 • Animation, Comedy, Drama • 92 minutes • Presented in Japanese with English subtitles • Trailer

On Christmas Eve in Tokyo, three homeless companions — a middle-aged alcoholic, a runaway teenager, and a former drag queen — discover an abandoned newborn while scavenging through the trash. As they search for the baby’s parents, their own troubled pasts slowly come to light. Filled with humor, heartache, and warmth, Tokyo Godfathers is a story that celebrates found family, forgiveness, and hope.

This film is suitable for general audiences. Parental guidance is advised for younger viewers.

Tokyo Godfathers is part of our The Many Worlds of KON Satoshi series.

Free admission. Register below.  

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Director Profile:

KON Satoshi (今 敏, 1963–2010) was a visionary Japanese filmmaker, screenwriter, and manga artist whose work revolutionized the possibilities of animated storytelling. Known for his intricate narratives, psychological depth, and seamless blending of dreams and reality, Kon created some of the most critically acclaimed anime films of the early 21st century.

After graduating from Musashino Art University with a degree in visual communication design, Kon began his career as a manga artist and scriptwriter, eventually working as an animator under director ŌTOMO Katsuhiro (Akira). He made his directorial debut in 1997 with the psychological thriller Perfect Blue, which quickly earned him international acclaim. Over the next decade, Kon directed a powerful body of work that includes Millennium Actress (2001), Tokyo Godfathers (2003), Paprika (2006), and the television series Paranoia Agent (2004). Each of these works showcases his signature style: non-linear storytelling, striking visual imagery, and a fascination with identity, memory, and media.

Kon passed away in 2010 at the age of 46, leaving his final project, Dreaming Machine, unfinished. Despite his brief career, his influence continues to resonate—his films are frequently cited by global filmmakers and have inspired directors such as Darren Aronofsky and Christopher Nolan.