The Film Festival is held every year in September.

Being geographically located closest to the Asiatic mainland with a long history of having served Japan as its gateway of exchange to the continent, the City of Fukuoka attaches great importance to her Asian ties as she positions herself in the image of an "energetic urban center of Asia".

Fukuoka began putting on "Asian Month" in 1990, as a means to further deepen the circle of exchanges developed through the "Asian-Pacific Exposiion" held in 1989 to commemorate her centennial.

Every September, "Asian Month" holds over 50 events that relate to the culture, learning and arts of Asia. Inaugurated in 1991, the "Focus on Asia-Fukuoka International Film Festival" is one of the major events of "Asiain Month". Serving the Festival as its Director General is Tadao Sato, a distinguished film critic with a diverse human network who started early on his research of Asian films. Hisako Sato, a noted film researcher, serves as the official coordinator to the Festival. The festival shows films from Asia or films depicting Asia. Over 20 titles a year are invited to showcase in this festival by May every year.

Entries interested for pre-selection should simply send in their tapes.