Guests can explore Japanese culture and traditions, as crafted by some of Japan’s premier filmmakers, including the film “Departures,” winner of the Academy Award for best foreign film. Filmgoers will have the opportunity to see why Japan’s film industry is far more complex and intriguing than the Japanese horror films that so often come to mind. Yes, that genre is classic in Japan, but so too are films that are risky, offbeat and thoroughly controversial.

In addition to the award-winning “Departures,” which tells the moving story of a man who performs the ritual encoffining, sending the deceased off in peace, there is a complete switch of gears with the eye-opening film “United Red Army.” From Japan’s most controversial filmmaker, Koji Wakamatsu, comes the story of student unrest, political uprisings and a 10-day police standoff that rivals America’s Martin Luther King assassination in Japanese history. The film is both shocking and cautionary as it presents a stirring docudrama of disturbing Japanese history.

Switching gears comes the charming story of “Lost & Found,” about everyday lives intersecting around a train station lost and found department. From the mundane umbrella to the storied tap shoes, the items lost and then found form a story of lives connecting and human emotions delicately woven.

Two other Japanese entries, “Still Walking” and “La Maison en Petites Cubes” provide emotional and endearing tales - the first of a family coming to terms between generations on the expression of grief and remembrance, and the second, a delightful Academy Award-winning, animated short film about a man swimming through his past.

It is the final Japanese film in this Country Spotlight series that brings the most unique and definitely humorous style to Japanese film. “World Sinks Except Japan” is an outrageous, politically incorrect, off-the-wall look at global warming, international tensions, racism, the cult of celebrity and more in director Minoru Kawasaki’s wacky social satire.

The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival’s spotlight on Japanese film is an immersion experience of Japanese movie styles and award-winning experiences.

In addition, attendees can learn even more about Japanese cinema at a seminar on the subject from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 12, in the upstairs screening room at Movies at Midway. Japan, known as the Land of the Rising Sun, has iconic directors and a rich history of filmmaking. Two renowned guest speakers and independent film scholars will introduce visitors to Japanese culture through its film industry.

A sake tasting will be held at 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, in the Big Tent, and the Sparrow Dance will be performed by an imported dance troupe at 9 p.m. that same night.