The festival was founded by Japanese century-old comedy-entertainment giant Yoshimoto Kogyo in 2009 and focuses on comedy films from around the world, with the theme of "Laugh & Peace".

[1] It is held each year at the Okinawa Convention Center and Sakurazaka Theater with indoor and outdoor screenings of film premieres and recent movies from Japan and abroad.

The location of Okinawa was selected for its natural beauty by the sea in order to replicate the atmosphere of Cannes, but with comedy at its heart.

[7] The festival's largest screen is shipped over from Sweden and placed directly on the beach at Okinawa Convention Center.

Jurors are chosen from a wide range of international artists, based on their body of work and respect from their peers.