Short film 'Utsuwa' with 15 awards to be screened at Ibaraki's only mini-theater from June 6 with stage greetings

The short film 'Utsuwa', which has won 15 awards at domestic and international film festivals, will be screened for a week starting June 6, 2026, at 'Amaya-za', a mini-theater in Naka City, Ibaraki. Directed by Akiyoshi Shibata, the film stars Junko Nakajima, who channeled her own tongue cancer experience into her role, alongside 15-year-old Ibaraki native Mika Takaki. Stage greetings featuring the cast and director will be held on the first two days, marking a triumphant local return for Takaki.