Cambridge – The Grand River Film Festival (GRFF) is honoured to announce they have secured Mr. YojiroTakita, Director of this year’s Academy Award winning film, Departures, during GRFF’s third season later this month.

Mr. Takita, who will be traveling to Waterloo Region from his home in Japan, won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film this past February. During his visit, he will attend various GRFF events, including two screenings where he will be on hand to answer questions from Festival patrons through his interpreter. He will also participate at Indie Lounge and the Closing Gala, October 24th.

The director said from Japan that he is “looking forward to meeting the Canadian audience and to find out how his work "Departures" is received by them.” Mr. Takita went on to say “I am excited to explore the area while meeting film fans and professionals at the events hosted by the Grand River Film Festival organizers.”

Arranged with the help of the Canadian Embassy in Japan, David Marskell, Chair of GRFF’s Volunteer Board of Directors, explains that “Christine Nakamura of the Embassy in Japan beamed as this is truly an achievement for Canada-Japan cultural relations.”

“As GRFF enters its third season, international industry guests is the natural step for us,” says Ken Nakamura the Founder and Artistic Director of GRFF. “However, to secure an Academy Award winning Director to fly from across the world is quite a coup. It proves once again the talent, ability and global reputation Waterloo Region has. And this is just the beginning for GRFF.”

Departures is scheduled to play twice on Saturday, October 24th. 1:30pm in at the GIG Theatre in Downtown Kitchener and later that evening at 7:30pm at the Cambridge School of Architecture. The evening screening is 75% sold out and will be followed by the GRFF Closing Gala party taking place at Cornerstone Interiors in Cambridge.

Mr. Takita is also scheduled to attend portions of the Indie Lounge taking place at The Children’s Museum on October 24th and the Walper Hotel on October 25th.