OSAKA -- The 20-odd people sipping coffee and tea in a shop in Chuo Ward here haven't come in just for the beverages. They also want to see free short videos made primarily by amateur filmmakers such as high school students and citizens' groups.
The videos, including documentary and dramatic features that run up to nine minutes, are being shown under a project called Cafe Hoso Terere, which was launched last month by the Osaka-based film organization Video Kobo Akame to screen amateur videos in local coffee shops and bars.
Akame was formed in 1992 by a group of female film school graduates. By producing and editing videos and offering filmmaking classes, the organization hopes to enable women and other groups underrepresented in the media to express their opinions through film.