FOD Original Short Drama “I am…” will be exclusively distributed on FOD, a video distribution service operated by Fuji Television Network, on January 26th (Fri.) at 8:00 a.m. Twenty-three years old may be the most diverse age in a person’s life… Some are newcomers to society, some are already in their fourth year of working, some have become parents, and so on. The drama is an omnibus-style TV series in which five directors and actors tell their own stories about “23-year-old me.

We were in charge of casting for “KOKORO,” directed by Hideto Hotta and written by Leiya. The lead role will be played by Natsuki Robertson, co-starring Kohei, Miku Uehara, and Setsuko Ogawa.

[Synopsis.]
In addition to the majority of Japanese whose parents are Japanese, there are “Japanese” from various backgrounds in Japan, including mixed-roots (half-Japanese etc.), returnees, and foreigners born and raised in Japan. Kokoro Suenaga is a mixed-roots Japanese who is troubled by the meaning of her existence, her work, and her place in the world. In the midst of her life in Japan, which is full of contradictions and exceptions, she is troubled by her contact with the people around her and people from various backgrounds, but she manages to find her own “answers” to her problems.

[Official Site] https://www.fujitv.co.jp/iam/

The trailer for Season 2 of the original crime drama series “Tokyo Vice,” been released and it will premiere on the streamer on Feb. 8 on Max with the release of two episodes (Subsequently, one episode will debut every week for eight weeks) and April. 6 on WOWOW.

The trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJz0X-UZypk

Yoshida, best known as an actor for her role in The Man in The High Castle, will also star in the film alongside veteran performers Hana Kino (Like Father Like Son, Come On Irene), Chieko Matsubara (A Long Goodbye, Tokyo Drifter), Kunio Murai (Godzilla VS Gigan, Tokyo Ghoul), and rising performer Ryo Tajima (Avalanche, Informa).

Described as a “coming-of-age love story,” Akashi follows Kana (Yoshida), an artist who is at a crossroads in her career. After finding out her Grandmother (Kino) has passed, she returns home to Tokyo for the funeral, where she rekindles a romance with childhood love Hiro (Tajima) and uncovers a family secret about her Grandpa (Murai).

Tokyo Vice Season 2 will return to Max in February 2024 in the US and to WOWOW in spring 2024 in Japan. Ansel Elgort, Ken Watanabe, Rachel Keller, Rinko Kikuchi, and Masashi Kasamatsu will come back to the new series, and Yosuke Kubozuka and Miki Maya will also join from this season!

The film “Cottontail,” starring Lily Frankie, will be released on March 1, 2024.

The film is a Japanese-British co-production directed by Patrick Dickinson, winner of the British Academy Award for Best US Student Film.

Lily Franky, Ryo Nishikido, Tae Kimura, and and Rin Takanashi star in the film. Also, Ciaran Hinds of “Belfast” and Eefa Hinds of “Normal People”.

Lily and director Dickinson attended the official world premiere screening at the 18th Rome International Film Festival’s. Director Dickinson received the award for Best First Feature Film.

The world premiere of the Japanese-British co-production “Cottontail,” starring Lily Franky, Ryo Nishikido, Tae Kimura, Rin Takanashi and Ciaran Hinds (“First Man”), will be held at the Rome Film Festival on October 26.

Iori Abe will play the leading role in “Boku no Naka ni Saku Hanabi”. The film is directed by up-and-coming director Yusho Shimizu, who won the Best J.Horror Award at the Japan Film Festival Los Angeles 2022.

Panasonic Make New movie won Silver in the Achievement in Production category in the Crafts category at the 70th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity!

The featured film, Biohazard: Death Island directed by Eiichirô Hasumi has come out in theater since July 7th in Japan. KAIJU INC. was in charge of casting actors for motion capture.

[Synopsis]
D.S.O. agent Leon S. Kennedy is on a mission to rescue Dr. Antonio Taylor from kidnappers, when a mysterious woman thwarts his pursuit. Meanwhile, B.S.A.A. agent Chris Redfield is investigating a zombie outbreak in San Francisco, where the cause of the infection cannot be identified. The only thing the victims have in common is that they all visited Alcatraz Island recently. Following that clue, Chris and his team head to the island, where a new horror awaits them.

Towa Araki, Durian Lollobrigida, Hono Miyabe joined the premiere screening for the short film, Strange directed by Ken Ochiai.

The shot film, “Strange” directed by Ken Ochiai has been nominated for Asia International & Japan Program of Short Shorts Film Festival & Asian 2023.

Screening Information:
DATE/TIME: Sunday, June 25 @11:2- to 13:10
LOCATION: Omotesando Hils Space O

Online Screening:
TERM: June 26 to July 10 (Domestic streaming only)

***Please check the official site for your apply and more information.
https://shortshorts.org/2023/program/aj/aj-11/strange/