For any technical questions, including how to cast films on your TV, please go to our HELP page.
What is SAKKA?
We are a platform and distribution hub for quality Japanese independent films. We bring more hidden gems and inspiring works to the world, and we try to do it with as few filters as possible to the filmmakers. SAKKA is a distributor + streaming platform + curator + cheerleader: we are a little bit of everything. Why, you’d ask? Glad you asked, because the answer doesn’t fit in the Q&A.
Is SAKKA a streaming service?
That’s part of what we do, but there’s so much more! For our distribution titles, we have a function to let the viewers send personal reviews and comments to the filmmakers. You can learn more about the filmmakers on their dedicated page where they share some personal stories. Outside of our distribution, we talk about the film festivals who’ve been spreading the love of Japanese cinema, and introduce many of the films they screened. We are a platform, in the more traditional sense that it is a means to communicate ideas and information with other people.
How can I watch films?
You can start by creating an account or logging in to your SAKKA account. To watch a film, hover over the thumbnail and click “Rent” or “Buy”, or go to the film page and click the “Rent” or “Buy” button. You will be prompted to enter your payment information in the pop-up window. Once the transaction is complete, you will receive an email with a link to watch your film. The film will also appear in “My Library” which you can find from the dropdown menu at the top right corner.
On what devices can I watch films?
We are primarily web browser based. You can watch on computers, laptops, tablets, iOS or Android devices. You can also use Chromecast to watch them on your TV. For full system requirements, please check our HELP page. Roku and Amazon Fire TV apps are currently in development (with estimated rollout in 2023).
Would the films have English subtitles?
All the films streaming on SAKKA have English subtitles. Unfortunately, no other local languages are available at this moment, while you can still watch them with English subtitles depending on each title’s availability.
Can I watch films anywhere in the world?
If you are in the United States, you can stream all the films that we distribute on SAKKA. Outside of the US, the availability depends on the film, as the rights to distribute films are often divided by territories. (Feel free to send us requests if you have no access in your country – with enough requests, maybe we can convince the licensor!)
How long do I have to watch my rental?
Once you rent a film, you have 14 days to watch the film. Once you press play on a film you’ve rented, you have 72 hours to watch the film as many times as you like. Viewing will cut off at the end of each rental window, so you must begin the film with enough time to finish. We do not offer refunds or exchanges.
Is there any bonus content that comes with my rental?
Some titles may include bonus content like behind-the-scenes featurette. These come with rental or purchase of the title. Once you rent/purchase a film, while you are on the streaming screen, click the List icon at the top right corner. If the title has any bonus content, it will show up as “Included Extras”.
What’s with the films that you do not distribute, but we see posters on the “Explore More” page? These all say “not available in your country” although I’m in the US.
SAKKA was born partly out of a desire to share awesome film experience with more people around the world, and partly out of a frustration that not many wonderful films and filmmakers are known outside of festivals and the industry folks. So we dedicated part of the platform to introduce contemporary Japanese films that screened at selected film festivals around the world. We do not have rights to distribute these films, and we do not own any part of the copyrights. Our hope is that this page gets you curious and urges you to explore more Japanese films that you might not have known existed.
Are you showing films at any physical screening?
That’s the plan! While the pandemic has made our initial game plan slightly trickier, we are exploring several possibilities. In the meantime, if you have an event or school curriculum where you want to screen the films that we distribute, please let us know! We are always open to share more.
I really loved one particular film. I read the director’s page 18 times (can recite every word), watched the bonus content and all the talk videos. What more do you offer?
First of all, thank you! Fans like you absolutely make our day. You can expect more videos with the filmmakers from us, but most excitingly, we are planning to open a store website later in the summer! You can purchase collectible items like an autographed poster or a Japanese theatrical pamphlet. Please stay tuned, and of course, don’t forget to share your love and excitement with your friends!