Kōji Wakamatsu
The following year, "JAPAN CUTS" screened 18 films, nine of them co-presentations with NYAFF. The festival also continued its partnership with Nippon Connection and presented over sixty screenings of short films and video art by independent Japanese filmmakers. Filmmakers Naomi Kawase, Kōji Wakamatsu, Masayuki Kakegawa, and Takako Matsumoto appeared as special guests at the festival for audience Q&amp;A sessions. This was also the first year after-screening parties, something that is now a common occurrence at Japan Society film screenings, were held.