Mark Lester, star of the classic "A Little Love Melody" & Ms. Tracy Hyde will visit Japan in the fall of 2026! The documentary film "The Season Melody Was There" will be released on Blu-ray in the fall of 2026! Blu-ray release commemorative event to be held in the fall of 2026! Crowdfunding is also underway!

Cinema Novecento Inc. (Location: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture), in commemoration of the Blu-ray release of "The Season Melody Was There" in the fall of 2026 and the 55th anniversary of the release of "A Little Melody of Love," has invited Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde to return to Cinema Novecento after a four-year absence. In addition to Cinema Novecento, "The Season Melody Was There" screening events will be held at mini-theaters throughout Japan.

Prior to the screening events, a crowdfunding campaign will be held from May 1 (Fri.) to 31 (Sun.), 2026.

Crowdfunding application website

https://cinema1900.wixsite.com/home/mt

The Season Melody Was There" (C) "The Season Melody Was There" Production Committee

A masterpiece of a coming-of-age love story, "A Little Love Melody" was released in 1971 and became a blockbuster hit.

As an icon of the first love film, it has been revived many times since then and still has many fans half a century after its initial release.

In 2022, Cinema Novecento held screening events in Yokohama, Kyoto, and Shibuya to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the release of "Melody of a Little Love," inviting Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde, who star in the film.

In addition to the footage captured on camera at those events, "The Seasons of Melody" is a documentary film that follows Mark and Tracy on a location tour of London and its surrounding areas.

After more than a year long run at Cinema Novecento, "The Season Melody Was There" will finally be released on Blu-ray in the fall of 2026.

To celebrate this and to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the release of "A Little Melody of Love," Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde will be invited back for the first time in four years to hold "The Season Melody Was There" screening events at Cinema Novecento and other mini-theaters around Japan.

However, due to the situation in Iran, the high cost of living, and the weak yen, the cost of welcoming guests from abroad has skyrocketed to a frightening level that is no longer within the control of the organizers alone.

In light of the above, we are raising funds through crowdfunding so that the two stars of "A Little Love Melody" will be able to come to Japan and make their event a reality.

We would very much appreciate your cooperation in making this dream come true.

Katsuhiko Minowa, President of Cinema Novecento

A Little Love Melody" (C) 1971 Sagittarius Entertainment, Inc.

(C) Cinema Novecento

◎Films screened:

The Season Melody Was There" (2025/DCP/Color/77 min)

Director, Photography, Editing: Umezaki Yo

Production : Hisakazu Ochiai

Production/Distribution: Cinema Novecento

Cast : Mark Lester, Tracy Hyde

◎Hosting theaters:

10/31, 11/2, 14, 15 - Tsurukawa, Cinema Novecento

11/3 - Machida City Cultural Exchange Center Hall, Tokyo

11/5 - Takasaki Denki Kan, Gunma

11/7 - Nagano Aioza Roxy, Nagano, Japan

11/8 - Hokuriku, under negotiation

11/11 - Osaka, The 7th Arts Theater

Outline of Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding application period: May 1 (Fri.) - 31 (Sun.), 2026

Application site ： https://cinema1900.wixsite.com/home/mt

The crowdfunding platform will continue to offer the same course from June with a 10-20% increase in the amount of money.

We are also accepting applications at any time at the Cinema Novecento office.

◎Courses and returns *All prices include tax

Tom Course: 30,000 yen (limited to 170 people)

Returns:

(1)Invitation to the screening event of "The Season Melody Was There" on November 3 at the Machida City Cultural Exchange Center Hall (Guests: Mr. Mark Lester and Ms. Tracy Hyde)

(2) "The Season Melody Was There" regular edition Blu-ray, autographed by Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde and presented directly to you at the handshake event

(If you are unable to attend the event, the Blu-ray will be mailed to you by cash on delivery at a later date.

Daniel Course: 70,000 yen (limited to 20 people)

Returns:

(1)Invitation to the screening event of "The Season Melody Was There" at the Machida City Cultural Exchange Center Hall on November 3, 2012, with seats up to the second row (Guests: Mr. Mark Lester & Ms. Tracy Hyde)

(2)Receive a regular edition Blu-ray of "The Season Melody Was There" directly from Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde at the autograph and handshake session.

(3)Invitation to a reception (including photo session) at a nearby restaurant after the screening event

(4) Those who cannot attend the screening event will receive the Blu-ray by mail with cash on delivery at a later date.

Melody Course: 100,000 yen (up to about 20 people per theater)

Returns:

(1)Invitation to one screening event of "The Season Melody Was There" held in October-November for up to 4th row seats at each theater (Guests: Mr. Mark Lester & Ms. Tracy Hyde)

(2) "The Season Melody Was There" premium privilege (Blu-ray, poster and pamphlet with a 3-shot video of the applicant, Mark and Tracy Hyde at the event, and autographs and handshakes by Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde) (The Blu-ray itself will be mailed after the privilege is made. )

(3) Invitation to a reception (including photo session) at a nearby restaurant after the screening event

Please note that after you have applied, we cannot accept changes to other dates. For those who cannot attend the screening event, a Blu-ray will be mailed to you by cash on delivery at a later date.

The Season Melody Was There" screening event will be held at the following halls.

10/31, 11/1, 14, 15 - Cinema Novecento, Tsurukawa, Tokyo

11/3 - Machida City Cultural Exchange Center Hall, Tokyo

11/5 - Takasaki Denki Kan, Gunma, Japan

11/7 - Nagano Aioza Roxy, Nagano, Japan

11/8 - Hokuriku, under negotiation

11/11 - Osaka, The 7th Arts Theater

☆ During their visit to Japan from 10/31 to 11/15, Cinema Novecento will screen three films every day: "A Little Love Melody", "A Little Witness" (starring Mark Lester), and "The Season Melody Was There"!

Use of Funds

Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde, who will be invited to Japan as guests for the Blu-ray release of "The Season Melody Was There", and other expenses related to their stay in Japan.