#Japan #Tokyo #live dubbing #Doraemon #Kineko Festival

A Magical Experience at the 33rd Kineko International Film Festival

The 33rd Kineko International Film Festival, one of Asia's largest children's film festivals, is set to take place in Tokyo from October 30 to November 3, 2026. This year’s festival will feature a special screening event titled Wonderful Film Harmony, which includes a live dubbing of the beloved anime Doraemon.

On November 1, the event will feature live performances by the original voice actors of Doraemon, Wasabi Mizuta, and Megumi Ohara, who voices Nobita. This unique opportunity allows fans to watch Doraemon in a new light, complete with a full orchestra providing the musical backdrop.

The Wonderful Film Harmony event will take place at the Setagaya Eaglet Hall in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo. Besides Doraemon, other beloved characters will also be featured, including Thomas the Tank Engine and the educational French animation Little Malabar, creating a lively atmosphere that will delight children and families alike.

The feature presentation will include the new short film titled Doraemon: The Haunted Castle Move. This cinematic adventure revolves around Doraemon and Nobita discovering a historic castle for sale in Germany, leading their families on an exciting journey to relocate into a spacious new home. The film’s original airing happened on September 2, 2023, and this special presentation will be a treat with live dubbing and live orchestration.

The Kineko International Film Festival has a rich history, having started in 1992 with the collaboration of the Berlin International Film Festival’s children’s section. This film festival aims to enrich children’s cultural experiences through film screenings, workshops, and music performances. Last year, over 50,000 attendees were welcomed during the festival duration, showcasing more than 700 films from around the world, of which 53 were carefully selected for screening, including 45 competitive entries and 8 special presentations. This year’s festival is expected to be even grander, focusing on family-friendly films that cater to audiences of all ages, starting from infants.

Profiles of Featured Voice Actors:
1. Wasabi Mizuta - Born on August 4th and hailing from Mie Prefecture, Mizuta has been the voice of Doraemon since April 2005. She has had a long-standing career in voice acting and has lent her voice to other popular anime, appearing on various stages in addition to her work with Doraemon.
2. Megumi Ohara - Born on April 16 in Tokyo, Ohara’s voice acting career took off when she debuted as Nobita in 2005. After discovering her passion for voice acting, she actively participates in readings and lectures, blending her craft with educational outreach.

In addition to the spectacular film screenings, the festival will also host various workshops and events to engage young audiences further. To ensure that all guests can enjoy the festival without rush, tickets for entry will be available via a timed reservation system.

The festival is organized by Kineko Film, supported by several education boards and organizations, showcasing a collaboration of cultural art promotion funds from the Ministry of Culture.

Upcoming Film

Additionally, there’s excitement brewing for the new Doraemon film titled Doraemon: Nobita's Steam Time Train, set to release in Spring 2027. It will be the 46th installment in the Doraemon film series, bringing another captivating adventure as Doraemon and Nobita travel back to 19th century London.

For more information about the festival and upcoming events, please check the official Kineko Film Festival website.