3rd Okinawa International Movie Festival　March 18 (Fri.) ～27 (Sun.), 2011

Okinawa International Movie Festival Organization Committee

Okinawa International Movie Festival Organization Committee
Honorary-Chairman

Hirokazu Nakaima

On behalf of the people of Okinawa, I would like to welcome all of you who have come to visit us here for the 3rd Okinawa International Movie Festival.

First of all, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to all the victims of the huge earthquake and tsunami that devastated the Tohoku Pacific region. My heartfelt sympathies are with the bereaved families of the victims of this tragedy.

I believe that Yoshimoto Kogyo President Mr. Osaki was faced with a very difficult decision to make whether or not to go ahead with this film festival.

However, instead of cancelling the event, we proceeded in hope to raise funds for the disaster-stricken areas and also to take action through this film festival to extend our “spiritual connection” and “encouragement” to the victims of the disaster.

We, Okinawans, will become one to do our best to send out many encouraging messages from Okinawa to support not only those affected by the disaster, but also the people who are contributing in the supportive operations.

With these mind, may I offer my sincerely gratitude to Yoshimoto Kogyo and everyone else involved in holding this film festival.

In closing, I pray that the 3rd Okinawa International Movie Festival will further strengthen disaster relief operations and that the victims will find some peace of mind they deserve as soon as possible. I hope that the people who attend this event as well as the people around the world can smile and be happy in a peaceful way.

Governor of Okinawa