The Filmoteca Canaria is screening the Japanese animated film “5 Centimeters per Second” on 17 November in Gran Canaria and on 19 November in Tenerife. Both screenings start at 7 pm. Admission is free, the Canary Islands regional government announced on 13 November.
In Gran Canaria, the film will be shown at the Teatro Guiniguada and in Tenerife at the Espacio La Granja. The original version with Spanish subtitles will be screened. According to the regional government, free tickets are available from the venues’ box offices and websites. The Teatro Guiniguada programme confirms the screening there for 17 November 2026 at 7 pm.
The film by director Makoto Shinkai dates from 2007. It tells the story of Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara, two childhood friends. When Akari’s family moves to another city after primary school, the two are separated. At first, they try to stay in touch through letters and occasional visits. But contact dwindles over time and eventually ends.
Takaki holds on to his wish to see his friend again. The story is therefore about physical distance, the passing of time and the effects both can have on a relationship. Unlike in Shinkai’s other works, this film features neither magic nor parallel worlds nor supernatural events, according to the regional government’s description.
The title refers to the speed at which cherry blossom petals fall to the ground. The regional government also describes the image of falling petals as a symbol of the passage of time and of changes that cannot be stopped.
The screenings are part of the film series “Japón se anima”, which is dedicated to Japanese animated cinema. According to the regional government, Filmoteca Canaria has already screened Shinkai’s film “Your Name” as part of the series. Another of the director’s works is planned to close the series: “El tiempo contigo”. However, the regional government’s announcement and Filmoteca’s programme list different dates for the December screening in Gran Canaria.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).