The ImaginAsian Center may finally be living up to its hype this week, with the shiny new theater playing host to the Japan Film Festival 2008, April 11-17.

A weeklong event, the festival promotes both traditional and groundbreaking Japanese film that extends beyond the stereotypical anime and J-horror standards. Don’t expect any Ringu or Gin gwai knockoffs here.

Before the ImaginAsian Center opened, previous years saw screenings at Laemmle’s Sunset 5 and Fairfax theaters in Hollywood. Moving the event Downtown broadens the appeal and accessibility of the seven-day festival.

If you haven’t seen the inside of the ImaginAsian Center yet, now’s your chance. The sci-fi exterior and modish lobby are attractions themselves, and large plush seats inside the auditorium make for a superior movie experience.

Films run from a collection of independent shorts to full-length features. Check out the JFFLA site for more information on screenings. General admission tickets are $10; advance tickets for three screenings run for $20.

In other film fest news, the much-lauded Downtown Film Festival has confirmed its new dates of August 13-17, 2008.

Japan Film Festival 2008
Hosted by the ImaginAsian Center
251 S Main Street
April 11-17, 2008
General Admission - $10
Three-screening advance tickets - $20
 jffla.org

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