Submissions open for 2026 SCREENSHOT: Japan Documentary Film Award, through April 30.

Submissions opened on February 6 for the 2026 SCREENSHOT: Japan Documentary Film Award.

The Japan Council of the University of Pittsburgh and SCREENSHOT: Asia are proud to announce the 10th Anniversary of the University of Pittsburgh Japan Documentary Film Award.

Since its inception in 2016, this biennial award has served as a premier North American platform for documentary cinema that explores the complexities of Japanese life. Inspired by the observational filmmaking philosophy of Soda Kazuhiro, the award celebrates contemporary films that offer deep, nuanced explorations of Japanese culture, either from within the archipelago or its global diaspora.

We seek films that move beyond stereotypes to engage with contemporary or historical social phenomena, cultural practices, or significant events. For this milestone 10th-anniversary round, we continue to look for works that demonstrate a unique authorial voice and a commitment to insightful cinematic storytelling.

Awards & Prizes

To mark our tenth year, the 2026 award features an enhanced celebration:

--$5,000 Cash Prize: The winning filmmaker will receive a $5,000 (USD) award.

--Travel & Gala Screening: The award includes roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations for the winner to attend the 10th Anniversary celebratory screening in Pittsburgh in September 2026.

--Engagement: The winner will engage with the University of Pittsburgh’s academic and filmmaking community through a public Q&A and anniversary reception.

2022 Japanese animated movie Fruits Basket: Prelude (フルーツバスケット－prelude－) in Pittsburgh, February 16.

The 2022 Japanese animated movie Fruits Basket: Prelude (フルーツバスケット－prelude－) will play in Pittsburgh on February 16, second in a series of Anime Nights screenings from Crunchyroll.

Before there was Tohru and Kyo—there was Katsuya and Kyoko. Discover the turbulent beginning of Tohru’s mom and her dark past, and the man who breathed new hope into her. Watch the evolution of their love story and the birth of the Honda family, as this chapter completes the full adaptation of the heartwarming Fruits Basket story.

It is scheduled to play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, and tickets are available online. It last played here in June 2022.

Sushi Atarashi, Wushiland Boba eye Summer 2026 opening for new Shadyside location.

The new joint Sushi Atarashi Wushiland Boba location coming to The Meridian in Shadyside is aiming for a June-July location, according to ownership. The combined sushi and bubble tea space was announced in Summer 2024, and will join Giant Eagle Market District, Shake Shack, Cava, Barnes & Noble, Sephora, and Meridian Nail Bar, along with 231 apartments at the corner of Shady and Penn Avenues (map)

2023 Japanese animated movie That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond (転生したらスライムだった件 紅蓮の絆編) returns to Pittsburgh, April 20.

The 2023 Japanese animated movie That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond (転生したらスライムだった件 紅蓮の絆編) will play in Pittsburgh on April 20.

A long-running conspiracy is swirling over a mysterious power wielded by the Queen in Raja, a small country west of Tempest. When a slime who evolved into a Demon Lord named Rimuru Tempest crosses paths with Hiiro, a survivor of the Ogre race, an incredible adventure packed with new characters begins. The power of bonds will be put to the test!

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online. The movie last played in the area in January and February 2023.

2025 documentary The Rose: Come Back to Me, on Korean indie band The Rose, in Pittsburgh from February 14.

The 2025 documentary The Rose: Come Back to Me, on Korean indie band The Rose, will play in Pittsburgh from February 14 through 16.

The Rose: Come Back To Me is an intimate documentary showcasing the dramatic rise of The Rose, the Korean indie rock band with roots in the K-pop training system. After cultivating a millions-strong global fanbase, a label dispute forces them into a years-long hiatus. Now, they are back, with an electrifying tour—on their own terms.

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Pitt buys former Spice Island Tea House, Smile Thai building.

The University of Pittsburgh has purchased the former Spice Island Tea House building, which was most recently home to Smile Thai and Sushi:

Pitt purchased 251-253 Atwood St. for just under $1.37 million last month, according to Allegheny County real estate records.

University officials wouldn’t disclose plans for the 4,436-square-foot property.

“The university is always looking for opportunities near campus that support our long-term mission and give us flexibility to meet future academic needs and to contribute to the vibrancy of Oakland,” spokesman Jared Stonesifer said. “This purchase helps ensure we can continue to grow in a thoughtful and strategic way.”

The spot was home to Spice Island Tea House for 28 years until it closed in September 2023. Smile Thai and Sushi opened in October 2024 and closed in Summer 2025.

Peregrination: Xiaojing Yan 闫晓静 exhibition opens at Contemporary Craft, February 6; Artist Talk on February 7.

Peregrination, an exhibition by Chinese Canadian artist Xiaojing Yan (闫晓静), will open at Contemporary Craft on February 6 and run through May 2.

Peregrination, a long and meandering journey… 

This exhibition features work by Toronto based artist, Xiaojing Yan. Through the lens of personal migration and cultural hybridity, Yan explores the evolving relationship between identity, tradition, and the natural world. Yan’s art reflects a journey of transformation – an intricate weaving of folklore, ritual, and nature into a symbolic and dreamlike representation of lived experience. 

Drawing from ancient Chinese myths and customs, Yan reinterprets traditional narrative through a contemporary lens, reflecting on the fluidity of cultural memory. Her practice is both a tribute and a reimagining, examining how heritage can be at once rooted and reshaped – especially through her choices of materials and processes. Natural motifs, often deeply embedded in Chinese folklore, emerge in her work as metaphors for movement, adaptation, and belonging. Mountains, rivers, and celestial elements echo the rhythms of migration, symbolizing the passage between worlds – both physical and spiritual. 

Through meticulous craftsmanship and layered symbolism, her work becomes a meditation space – where the past converses with the present. Laden with symbolism, her creations remain as resonant today as they were historically, also engaging with contemporary concerns. In this act of peregrination, Yan constructs a landscape uniquely her own, evoking poetic and philosophical reflections on humanity’s connection to the natural world.

The opening reception is on February 6, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, and is free and open to the public. Other free associated events, for which reservation is required, include an Artist Talk on February 7, a guided tour on March 21, and a guided tour on May 2. Contemporary Craft is located at 5645 Butler St. in Lawrenceville (map).

Promo code available for "The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac" at Byham Theater, March 14.

"The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac" will be performed at the Byham Theater on March 14, 2026, part of the Trust Family Series of performances aimed at younger audiences.

Join Freddie and Ivy alongside their grandparents, Po Po and Kung Kung, as their Chinese New Year celebrations take a turn from dumpling-making to discovering the incredible origin story of the Chinese Zodiac!

When the Jade Emperor needs a way to tell time, he decrees that the first twelve animals to cross the race’s mighty river will have a year named after them and will mark the passage of a 12-year cycle.

Learn which animals win & what traits helped their success, why the rat and cat are enemies, and how each animal earned their place in the Zodiac while enjoying traditional Chinese movement, music and martial arts!

The booking agency says the performance is best for kids in kindergarten through grade 3. Tickets are available online, and PennsylvAsia readers can use promo code HORSE for 15% off. The show starts at 2:00 pm, and the Byham Theater is located at 101 6th Street in downtown's Cultural District (map).

Yoritayo presents Taiwan Talks: A Historical Presentation on Taiwan’s History and Its Effects on the Modern World, February 28.

Yoritayo presents Taiwan Talks: A Historical Presentation on Taiwan’s History and Its Effects on the Modern World on February 28 at the Irma Freeman Center.

Let's talk about Taiwan! We'll be diving into the history of Taiwan, focusing on the indigenous communities. most importantly, we'll discuss how we can continue building community + solidarity with fellow Taiwanese and other marginalized communities.

. . .

If you are Taiwanese please feel free to bring your presence, your art, food, or any other objects that connect you with your culture. :-)

The event runs from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The Irma Freeman Center for Imagination is located at 5006 Penn Ave. in Bloomfield (map).

Beginning-level Mandarin Chinese courses at Carnegie Library - Hill District branch, Wednesdays from March 4.

via Khun Hans Photography (Creative Commons)

According to today's University of Pittsburgh Asian Studies Center newsletter, the Carnegie Library - Hill District will host two Asian Studies Center interns to lead beginning-level Mandarin Chinese classes on Wednesdays from March 4 through April 22. Classes run from 4:00 to 5:00 pm and are free, though registration is required. The Hill District branch is located at 2177 Centre Ave. (map).