Shitamachi International Comedy Film Festival in Taito 2017

Making Tokyo's traditional downtown area a cheerier place since 2008, 'Shitacome' is one of the very few international film festivals in Japan specialising exclusively in comedy. Taking over the cinemas and streets of Asakusa and Ueno in September, it sees filmmakers, local comedians, residents and tourists get together for an eclectic programme of movies. An unlikely feature is Jordan Peele's new and critically acclaimed horror flick Get Out, while those looking for less intense fare can choose to see It's a Wonderful Life (1946) or one of the 11 short films selected for the main competition. The full programme can be viewed – in Japanese only, as of now – here.