Why bother? It's a heart-warming film that features cute canines - an appropriate way to mark the Year of the Dog.

Su-Ki-Da (Japan)

The film: Named after the Japanese expression for 'I am fond of you',

Su-Ki-Da is a bittersweet story about unspoken love. The film revolves around Yosuke, a high school student who is an avid guitar player, and Yu (right), Yosuke's secret admirer. Their budding romance ends after a tragic accident, but the pair reunite 17 years later.

Why bother? The film was directed by Hiroshi Ishikawa, the producer of the Pokemon movie series. He won the Best Director award at the New Montreal Film Festival for his work on Su-Ki-Da. His minimalist style, as illustrated by his poetic shots of clouds, lifts this simple love story above the ordinary.

Little Red Flowers (mainland)

The film: Adapted from a novel by mainland author Wang Shuo, the movie is set in a 1950s Beijing kindergarten where conformity and discipline rule.

A four-year-old child who shows no regard for school rules constantly gets into trouble. The film shows how people conform to fit into society. It also features a delightful cast of child actors, including the daughter of the film's director, Zhang Yuan (Beijing Bastards).

Why Bother? Wang's writing seems to fit well with Zhang's filmmaking style. The works of both men irritate mainland authorities by portraying the dark side of Chinese society.

Jungle Emperor Leo (Japan)

The film: Generations of children have been entertained by the creations of Osamu Tezuka. The late animator was known by many as the god of manga. One of his beloved characters is Kimba the White Lion, a cub who appeared in Japan's first colour animated television show in the 1960s. The story has been revived by director Yoshio Takeuchi. Kimba has grown up to be Leo the Lion King and has a son Rune, who is sold to a circus.

Why bother? It's an anime that features fun-loving lions and conveys a valuable moral message.