The 1st Okinawa International Movie Festival was held from March 19 to March 22, 2009, and took place at the American Village at Mihama Chatan-cho in Okinawa City. 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.^[1]

Most of the films for the first Okinawa International Movie Festival were shown free of charge, with a few priced at ¥800/ ¥400 for adults/ children. The Chatan Town Sunset Beach also hosted performances by Okinawan artists Rimi Natsukawa and the Rinken Band.^[1]

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 8 in competition, all of which were given their world premiers. The five competing foreign films were given their Japan premier at the festival.

Competition

• Kim Dong Ho, Executive Chairman of Pusan International Film Festival
• Jerry Zucker, Writer & director from the United States
• Somemaru Hayashiya, Comic storyteller
• Gordon Chan, Hong Kong filmmaker
• You (actress), Japanese actress
• Bokunen Naka, Woodblock artist

• Okinawa International Movie Festival