This episode premiered on May 20, 2026.
In this episode, Media Inside Out goes global! This episode was recorded at Temple University’s Japan campus in Tokyo. But of course, the core mission of Media Inside Out is a global topic. Media literacy is a skill and a critical need around the world.
In Spring 2026, producer/host Sherri Hope Culver taught at Temple University’s Japan campus in Tokyo. During that time, she had an opportunity to meet many people involved in media literacy and media for children, including producers from the public broadcaster NHK, scholars conducting research in media literacy at Hosai University, Sophia University and Musashi University. She also connected with the founder of the largest film festival for children and youth in Japan, the KINEKO film festival, and discussed why films for kids matter and how this special film festival encourages their attendance. Let’s go inside.
Guest
Mitsuo Tahira
CEO ・FESTIVAL DIRECTOR / 代表取締役・映画祭監督
Mitsuo Tahira is the Festival Director of KINEKO International Film Festival. In 1992, he established the first film festival for children, “Kinder Film Festival” (currently known as KINEKO International Film Festival) in Japan. He started with no experience and came from a completely different industry, with only five visitors in a 600-capacity venue. However, he gained audiences by increasing improvements each year, such as introducing “Live Cinema”, a screening style where international films are live-dubbed on the stage by professional voice actors for younger children who cannot read subtitles. Born from a dream from the scratch, KINEKO has grown over the past 30 years to become one of the largest film festivals in Japan. From his work with KINEKO, Mitsuo has established relationships with film festivals abroad, as well as networks with Japanese film makers over the years. He is passionate and committed to make connections between Japan and the world through films made for children to teenagers.