The 1st Okinawa International Movie Festival was held from March 19 to March 22, 2009, and took place at American Village in Mihama, Chatan, Okinawa. The inaugural events saw 38 films being shown and was supported by the Ministries of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Foreign Affairs, along with the Cabinet Office in Okinawa.
Most of the films for the first Okinawa International Movie Festival were shown free of charge, with a few priced at ÃÂ¥800/ ÃÂ¥400 for adults/ children. Sunset Beach in Chatan Town also hosted performances by Okinawan artists Rimi Natsukawa and the Rinken Band.
The Competition Grand Prix was awarded to Japanese director Katsuhide Motoki for his film Battle League Horumo.
The official selection of films shown in competition included three domestic films out of eight in competition, all of which were given their world premiers. The five competing foreign films were given their Japan premier at the festival.
The following films were selected as In Competition:
The following films were screened out of competition:
The Okinawa International Movie Festival "Laugh & Peace" Competition Grand Prix was won by the Japanese-language film Battle League Horumo directed by Katsuhide Motoki.