The feature film “Always: Sunset on Third Street 2” followed the screening of a short tourism documentary film, “Yokoso-Japan,” on the opening day.

The movie is a sequel to “Always: Sunset on Third Street.” While many sequels only evoke nostalgia for their predecessors, “Always: Sunset on Third Street 2” shines brighter on almost all fronts. The film, which won several awards, is a family-friendly drama set in 1950s Tokyo.

It is squarely aimed at evoking Tokyoites’ lingering affection for their metropolis.

Directed by Yamazaki Takashi and produced by Ando Chikahiro, the movie, which stars Yoshioka Hidetaka and Tsutsumi Shunichi, was released in 2007. In his welcome address, Japanese Consul General Toshimitsu Ishigure, who is also the coordinator of the Asian Consuls General Club, said the annual festival was aimed at promoting the culture and lifestyles of participating countries, as well as enhancing mutual understanding, respect and peaceful coexistence between the people of different civilizations.

He also reviewed the club’s activities and mentioned the bowling tournaments that were organized last year and again in January this year. Also present at the inauguration were a large number of invitees, including local officials and businessmen, as well as the consuls general of various Southeast Asian, Far Eastern and European countries. “Our past two years’ experience with the festival has been good, as it was appreciated by both nationals and expatriates,” one Asian consul general said.

The festival will continue at the consulate for the next four days (till Feb. 21), with movies from Korea, India, China and Thailand. The venue will move to the Consulate General of Sri Lanka, which will screen movies from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh for three days from Feb. 22 to 24.

The Consulate General of Brunei will screen movies from Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei from Feb. 25 to March. 1. Ishigure thanked Mamdouh Salem, executive manager of Rowad Media, for screening Saudi documentary and feature films, and ATEICO Communications’ Fowzan Mulla for taking charge of festival arrangements.

The documentary and feature films scheduled include Korea’s ‘Korea Sparkling’ and “Le Grand Chef,” India’s “Om Shanti Om,” China’s “Colorful Seasons in China” and “Where is My Home?” and Thailand’s “Experience Thailand Once in a Lifetime” and “Where the Miracle Happens.” Pakistan will show “Vibrant Pakistan” and “Ramchand Pakistani,” Sri Lanka “Arts, Crafts & Rural Industries” and “On North-South Train in Sri Lanka.” Saudi Arabia will show its short films “The Castle,” “Silence,” “Original Rain” and “Adventures of Nammoul,’ while Bangladesh is showing “Discover Bangladesh and “Amar Ache Jol.” Singapore’s “Singapore Destination” and ‘Kallang Roar’, Indonesia’s “Laskar Pelangi” (The Rainbow Troops), Philippines’ “Bagong Buwan,” Malaysia’s “Malaysia Your Enchanting Getaway” and ‘The Adventure Begins, and Brunei’s “Imagine Brunei” and “A Sea of Love” are the other features being shown at the festival.

The consulates are distributing invitation cards for their respective movies.