[First in Kyushu] Documentary Film 'RETURNEES' to be Screened for One Week Only at Fukuoka KBC Cinema from May 8
The documentary film 'RETURNEES,' which follows the social reintegration support activities for former child soldiers by certified NPO Terra Renaissance, will have its Kyushu premiere at Fukuoka KBC Cinema from May 8. A talk event with founder Masaya Onimaru is also scheduled for May 9.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 22:00
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Currently announcing screenings at KBC Cinema.
Certified NPO Terra Renaissance (Chairperson: Mai Yoshida, Headquarters: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture), which supports the self-reliance of conflict victims in Asia, Africa, and Ukraine, announces that the documentary film 'RETURNEES,' which follows the organization's social reintegration support activities for former child soldiers, will be screened for the first time in Kyushu at Fukuoka KBC Cinema from Friday, May 8, 2026.
Furthermore, on Saturday, May 9, a screening with a talk event by Masaya Onimaru, a native of Fukuoka and founder and director of Terra Renaissance, is scheduled.
Terra Renaissance also has an office in Saga Prefecture and has deep ties with Kyushu. We are delighted to be able to deliver an opportunity from the land of Kyushu to consider the realities occurring in conflict zones around the world not as 'stories from distant lands' but as our own problems.
KBC Cinema Online Reservation here:
https://kbc-cinema.com/pages/movies/returnees
Official Film Page:
https://returnees.ndn-news.co.jp/
©Nippon Denpa News Co., Ltd. 2026 / Japan / 102 minutes / DCP / 5.1ch
Director, Cinematography, Editing: Kei Kikuchi | Producer: Mio Ueda | Production: Nippon Denpa News Co., Ltd.
■ What is RETURNEES? — Following the comeback of 'returnees' who had their humanity taken away
"I was kidnapped at 11 and forced to kill people."
"I was a child soldier, do I have a place to return to?"
This film is a 102-minute documentary that follows the lives of people who were kidnapped by the armed group 'Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)' as children and forced to become 'child soldiers' during the civil war that continued for over 20 years in Uganda, Africa.
In Uganda, over 30,000 children were abducted by the LRA and forced into combat or forced marriage. Child abductions continue in neighboring countries such as Congo.
Japanese NPO Terra Renaissance has been conducting social reintegration support activities for 'child soldiers' who escaped from the LRA or were protected after being injured, locally for 21 years. Currently, their activities have expanded to include calls for demobilization. In September 2023, a large-scale return of 141 individuals was achieved in response to these calls.
This film closely follows the activities of Shingo Ogawa, Terra Renaissance's Overseas Operations Manager, who continues to stand by the returnees for two years. It portrays the daily lives and paths to recovery of each returnee at the 'Smile House' support facility in northern Uganda.
Shingo Ogawa of Terra Renaissance brings a former child soldier from Congo to the facility. Ogawa has been stationed in Uganda for 21 years.
To the whole country, driven by audience enthusiasm
Released in a mini-theater in Shibuya on February 14, it mobilized 1,242 people during its two-week screening period. The enthusiasm spread nationwide, and after screenings in Tokyo (2 locations), Kanagawa, Aichi, and Osaka, it now makes its first landing in Kyushu, Fukuoka. Screenings have also been decided for Miyazaki Kinema-kan (Miyazaki - coming soon) and Sakurazaka Theatre (Okinawa - from May 30).
■ A profound documentary by the creators of 'Lighting a Lamp of Hope in the Wilderness'
Terra Renaissance is in a position of cooperation for this film.
Nippon Denpa News Co., Ltd., which is responsible for the production and distribution of this film, is also known as the production company of the documentary film 'Lighting a Lamp of Hope in the Wilderness,' which followed Dr. Tetsu Nakamura, a Fukuoka-born doctor who dedicated himself to humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.
In 'RETURNEES,' they strongly resonated with Terra Renaissance's activities to support the social reintegration of former child soldiers in Africa and to work towards ending conflicts at the grassroots level. Driven by the desire to 'make these activities known to the world,' the film was released after more than two years of close coverage.
■ Ties with Kyushu and Fukuoka
This Fukuoka screening holds special significance for Terra Renaissance. Masaya Onimaru, the founder of the organization, who decided to address the child soldier issue 21 years ago, is from Fukuoka Prefecture. He still resides in Fukuoka.
Terra Renaissance also has an office in Saga Prefecture and has a comprehensive partnership agreement with Tomeikan High School (Kiyama Town), conducting peace education throughout the year. As part of their inquiry-based learning, high school students visit Uganda on study tours, interacting with former child soldiers, and are committed to nurturing the next generation of peacekeepers.
Through these deep ties with Kyushu, we hope to share the reality that 'it's not a story from a distant land' with the people of local Fukuoka.
Masaya Onimaru, Founder of Terra Renaissance
Talk event with Masaya Onimaru on Saturday, May 9
"Honestly, my heart is full that this film can be delivered in Fukuoka, where I was born and raised."
After the screening on Saturday, May 9.
Certified NPO Terra Renaissance (Chairperson: Mai Yoshida, Headquarters: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture), which supports the self-reliance of conflict victims in Asia, Africa, and Ukraine, announces that the documentary film 'RETURNEES,' which follows the organization's social reintegration support activities for former child soldiers, will be screened for the first time in Kyushu at Fukuoka KBC Cinema from Friday, May 8, 2026.
Furthermore, on Saturday, May 9, a screening with a talk event by Masaya Onimaru, a native of Fukuoka and founder and director of Terra Renaissance, is scheduled.
Terra Renaissance also has an office in Saga Prefecture and has deep ties with Kyushu. We are delighted to be able to deliver an opportunity from the land of Kyushu to consider the realities occurring in conflict zones around the world not as 'stories from distant lands' but as our own problems.
KBC Cinema Online Reservation here:
https://kbc-cinema.com/pages/movies/returnees
Official Film Page:
https://returnees.ndn-news.co.jp/
©Nippon Denpa News Co., Ltd. 2026 / Japan / 102 minutes / DCP / 5.1ch
Director, Cinematography, Editing: Kei Kikuchi | Producer: Mio Ueda | Production: Nippon Denpa News Co., Ltd.
■ What is RETURNEES? — Following the comeback of 'returnees' who had their humanity taken away
"I was kidnapped at 11 and forced to kill people."
"I was a child soldier, do I have a place to return to?"
This film is a 102-minute documentary that follows the lives of people who were kidnapped by the armed group 'Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)' as children and forced to become 'child soldiers' during the civil war that continued for over 20 years in Uganda, Africa.
In Uganda, over 30,000 children were abducted by the LRA and forced into combat or forced marriage. Child abductions continue in neighboring countries such as Congo.
Japanese NPO Terra Renaissance has been conducting social reintegration support activities for 'child soldiers' who escaped from the LRA or were protected after being injured, locally for 21 years. Currently, their activities have expanded to include calls for demobilization. In September 2023, a large-scale return of 141 individuals was achieved in response to these calls.
This film closely follows the activities of Shingo Ogawa, Terra Renaissance's Overseas Operations Manager, who continues to stand by the returnees for two years. It portrays the daily lives and paths to recovery of each returnee at the 'Smile House' support facility in northern Uganda.
Shingo Ogawa of Terra Renaissance brings a former child soldier from Congo to the facility. Ogawa has been stationed in Uganda for 21 years.
To the whole country, driven by audience enthusiasm
Released in a mini-theater in Shibuya on February 14, it mobilized 1,242 people during its two-week screening period. The enthusiasm spread nationwide, and after screenings in Tokyo (2 locations), Kanagawa, Aichi, and Osaka, it now makes its first landing in Kyushu, Fukuoka. Screenings have also been decided for Miyazaki Kinema-kan (Miyazaki - coming soon) and Sakurazaka Theatre (Okinawa - from May 30).
■ A profound documentary by the creators of 'Lighting a Lamp of Hope in the Wilderness'
Terra Renaissance is in a position of cooperation for this film.
Nippon Denpa News Co., Ltd., which is responsible for the production and distribution of this film, is also known as the production company of the documentary film 'Lighting a Lamp of Hope in the Wilderness,' which followed Dr. Tetsu Nakamura, a Fukuoka-born doctor who dedicated himself to humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.
In 'RETURNEES,' they strongly resonated with Terra Renaissance's activities to support the social reintegration of former child soldiers in Africa and to work towards ending conflicts at the grassroots level. Driven by the desire to 'make these activities known to the world,' the film was released after more than two years of close coverage.
■ Ties with Kyushu and Fukuoka
This Fukuoka screening holds special significance for Terra Renaissance. Masaya Onimaru, the founder of the organization, who decided to address the child soldier issue 21 years ago, is from Fukuoka Prefecture. He still resides in Fukuoka.
Terra Renaissance also has an office in Saga Prefecture and has a comprehensive partnership agreement with Tomeikan High School (Kiyama Town), conducting peace education throughout the year. As part of their inquiry-based learning, high school students visit Uganda on study tours, interacting with former child soldiers, and are committed to nurturing the next generation of peacekeepers.
Through these deep ties with Kyushu, we hope to share the reality that 'it's not a story from a distant land' with the people of local Fukuoka.
Masaya Onimaru, Founder of Terra Renaissance
Talk event with Masaya Onimaru on Saturday, May 9
"Honestly, my heart is full that this film can be delivered in Fukuoka, where I was born and raised."
After the screening on Saturday, May 9.