1st Okinawa International Movie Festival
The 1st Okinawa International Movie Festival was held from March 19 to March 22, 2009, and took place at the American Village at Mihama Chatan-cho in Okinawa City. The inaugural events saw 38 films being shown and was supported by the Ministries of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Foreign Affairs, along with the Cabinet Office in Okinawa.
Most of the films for the first Okinawa International Movie Festival were shown free of charge, with a few priced at ¥800/ ¥400 for adults/ children. The Chatan Town Sunset Beach also hosted performances by Okinawan artists Rimi Natsukawa and the Rinken Band.
The Competition Grand Prix was awarded to Japanese director Katsuhide Motoki for his film Battle League Horumo.
== Official selection ==
The official selection of films shown in competition included three domestic films out of 8 in competition, all of which were given their world premiers. The five competing foreign films were given their Japan premier at the festival.
=== Competition ===
The following films were selected as In Competition:
=== Out of Competition ===
The following films were screened out of competition:Special InvitationSpecial ScreeningYoshimoto Special Presentation (all world premieres)
== Jury ==Competition
Kim Dong Ho, Executive Chairman of Pusan International Film Festival
Jerry Zucker, Writer & director from the United States
Somemaru Hayashiya, Comic storyteller
Gordon Chan, Hong Kong filmmaker
You (actress), Japanese actress
Bokunen Naka, Woodblock artist
== Awards ==
=== Official selection ===
In Competition
The Okinawa International Movie Festival Laugh & Peace Competition Grand Prix was won by the Japanese-language film Battle League Horumo directed by Katsuhide Motoki.
Okinawa International Movie Festival

== External links ==
Okinawa International Movie Festival official website (in English)
Official Okinawa International Movie Festival Facebook Page