‘Story Crossing ArtFes’ to Be Held [Sotetsu Urban Creates & Sotetsu Building Management]

On October 3 (Sat) and 4 (Sun), 2026, an art festival titled 'Story Crossing ArtFes' will be held within the premises of the closed Sotetsu Moviear building.

A multidisciplinary art festival where film, music, games, and other forms of expression intersect

Sotetsu Urban Creates Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Nishi-ku, Yokohama; President: Makoto Sato) and Sotetsu Building Management Co., Ltd. (same) will jointly host 'Story Crossing ArtFes' (hereinafter referred to as 'the event') on October 3 (Saturday) and 4 (Sunday), 2026, at the now-closed 'Sotetsu Moviear' (Sotetsu Nankō 2nd Building, Nankō, Nishi-ku, Yokohama).

The event will take place during the final two days before demolition work begins at Sotetsu Moviear, which officially closed on September 30, 2026, and is scheduled for reconstruction. Its purpose is to preserve memories formed at Sotetsu Moviear and create opportunities to pass them on to the next generation—ensuring the continuation of the culture and memories nurtured by the facility.

Additionally, while serving as a celebratory finale for the closing of Sotetsu Moviear, this event also marks the first step toward fostering new culture and creativity in the Yokohama Station West Exit area. This location, which has projected countless stories over the years, will become the stage for 'Story Crossing ArtFes,' an art festival where diverse forms of expression—including film, music, ZINEs, and art—intersect.

[Main Event Highlights]

〇 Final Film Festival at Sotetsu Moviear

Screenings include a newly produced short film shot on-site at Sotetsu Moviear, participatory works created through filmmaking workshops, and short films connected to Yokohama.

〇 Music – A Live Music Program Celebrating the Final Two Days of Sotetsu Moviear

Street live performances by artists will be held at the former 'Yokohama mint hall' venue and various locations throughout the building.

〇 ZINE & Art Market

A ZINE and art market themed around 'stories' will be held at the former locations of 'Ikkame Sakeba' and 'Hinoya Curry' on the first floor of Sotetsu Moviear.

Moving forward, the Sotetsu Group will continue various initiatives to revitalize the Yokohama Station West Exit area, nurture artistic culture, and enhance the charm of the city.

Concept image of the event at Sotetsu Moviear, closing on September 30

Overview of 'Story Crossing ArtFes'

1. Date and Time

October 3 (Sat) – October 4 (Sun), 2026, 10:00–20:00 (tentative)

2. Venue

Sotetsu Moviear (2-1-22 Nankō, Nishi-ku, Yokohama)

3. Event Program

ZINE Festival

○ Location

Former sites of 'Ikkame Sakeba' and 'Hinoya Curry' on the 1st floor

○ Content

A ZINE and art market themed around 'stories.' Utilizing the original shop spaces as they were during operation, the market will feature sales of ZINEs containing novels, manga, essays, and more, alongside illustrations, photographs, and three-dimensional artworks inspired by films and narratives. Over 36 creators will participate across the two days. Visitors can purchase and view works while interacting with creators, discovering new stories in the process.

'PILE' Creator Market & Workshop

○ Location

Former site of 'Matsuya' on the 1st floor

○ Content

A market and workshop produced by 'PILE,' a creator co-working space based at Tennocho Station on the Sotetsu Main Line. Creators from diverse fields such as illustration, design, and crafts will gather to showcase and sell their works and offer hands-on crafting experiences. Unique workshops available only at this venue will be featured.

'PILE' Creator Market & Workshop (concept image)

Music

○ Location

Near the 1st-floor entrance and the former site of 'Yokohama mint hall' on the 3rd floor

○ Content

Street live performances by artists will be held at the 1st-floor entrance. Additionally, at the former 'Yokohama mint hall' site on the 3rd floor, performances will include artists connected to Yokohama, as well as high school bands and wind ensembles presented by TEENS PARTY.

On the final day, a special collaborative final live performance will be held, featuring artists and content from across the event.

Live ticket: https://livepocket.jp/e/removil_finallive

Music Live (concept image)

Fashion

○ Location

Throughout floors 1–4, former 'Coin Space' on the 2nd floor, and former 'Naked Loft' on the 3rd floor

○ Content

Surprise-style fashion shows will be held, leveraging the unique spatial characteristics of the venue. Additionally, non-everyday exhibitions blending fashion and art will be presented.

Short Animation Production Workshop

○ Location

Former site of 'Karada Factory' on the 1st floor

○ Content

As part of the 'Sotetsu Moviear Closure Event,' local children from 4th grade through junior high school will collaborate with professional animation directors to create original animated shorts, which will then be screened on the theater’s big screen.

Short Animation Production Workshop

Analog Games

○ Location

'Moviear 1' theater and former 'Yellow Submarine' store on the 2nd floor

○ Content

An analog game project produced by game creators Kazunari Yonemitsu and Yoshinaga. A special program unique to this venue will allow everyone to play the creators’ representative titles—'Haatte Iu Geemu' ('The Game That Says Haah') and 'Haitte Itta Noni' ('Even Though I Went In')—using the theater screen at 'Moviear 1'.

Analog Game Creation Process (concept image)

Additionally, at the former 'Yellow Submarine' site, trial sessions and sales of original analog games created by participants in the 'Analog Game Production Workshop'—held with Yonemitsu and Yoshinaga as instructors during the Sotetsu Moviear closure event—will also be conducted.

Talk Shows

○ Location

Former site of 'Mos Burger' on the 2nd floor

○ Content

Talk shows will be held covering diverse creative fields such as manga, ZINEs, analog games, and fashion, along with themes of regional revitalization. These sessions will explore the backgrounds behind creative works, allowing audiences not only to appreciate the creations but also to engage with the thoughts and processes behind them.

Rakugo (Traditional Japanese Comic Storytelling)

○ Location

'Moviear 4' theater on the 4th floor

○ Content

A program offering enjoyment of rakugo, Japan’s traditional comic storytelling art form, within the unique setting of Sotetsu Moviear.

TEENS PARTY (Collaborative Event with Yokohama Nishiguchi Area Management Association)

In collaboration with 'TEENS PARTY,' a community-building initiative led by high school students 'FP TEENS' aimed at 'enjoying and sharing enjoyment of Nishiguchi,' the event will host izakaya (Japanese pub) experiences, film screenings, and performances by high school light music, wind, and chorus clubs within the Moviear building.

Film Screenings

○ Location

'Moviear 2' theater on the 2nd floor

○ Content

Screenings will include a new short film shot on location at Sotetsu Moviear, participatory works from workshops, and short films related to Yokohama. This special film festival will mark the final two days of the venue as a movie theater.

[New All-Location Short Film 'Genjitsu' Directed by Ken Kawai at Sotetsu Moviear]

Directed by Ken Kawai, winner of the New Director Award from the Japanese Directors Guild, this new short film was specially shot on location at Sotetsu Moviear for this event. Centered on former lovers reuniting at the soon-to-close cinema, it explores memories and emotions lingering in places that are about to disappear.