ARAKI Shinji

Born in Tokyo in 1970, ARAKI graduated from the University of Tokyo. His graduation thesis was on Jacques Rivette. In 2016, ARAKI won numerous screenplay awards, including the TV Asahi Scenario Grand Prize. He began developing his first feature film when he won the runner-up prize in the Kinoshita Group New Film Director Award in 2017, which was released in 2020 as "The Town of Headcounts." The film was officially invited to the Moscow Film Festival, Vancouver Film Festival, screened as an opening film at Chicago Asian Pop Film Festival, and at numerous other festivals, including Nippon Connection, Kaohsiung Film Festival, and Leeds International Film Festival. ARAKI made his second feature film, "Penalty Loop," which was released in 2024 and selected for screening in the International Competition at Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. The film was also selected for the International Competition at Fantasia International Film Festival where it won three awards, Best Editing, Best Music and a Bronze Audience Award.

PENALTY LOOP

©2023 PENALTY LOOP FILM PARTNERS

KUSABA Naoya

Born in Nagasaki in 1991, KUBASA pursued his passion for filmmaking after graduating from the Faculty of Education at Oita University. Relocating to Tokyo to enroll in the Film School of Tokyo, he studied under the guidance of TAKAHASHI Izumi. Upon graduation, KUSABA began his career at a film production company, gaining experience in pre-production, filming, and post-production. In 2019, he took a leave of absence to independently create the film, "Super Mikincorinista." The film achieved notable success, winning two awards at the Pia Film Festival and earning an invitation to the Notable Futures section of the Beijing International Film Festival, contributing to its acclaim and subsequent theatrical release. In 2024, KUSABA completed his first feature-length film, "Yukiko a.k.a.," which is scheduled for theatrical release in Japan starting in January 2025, with screenings planned at Eurospace and other venues nationwide.

Yukiko a.k.a.

©「YUKIKO a.k.a」Film Partners

KUSHIDA Takeshi

Born in 1982 in Osaka, KUSHIDA works for Pyramid Film. His debut feature "Woman of the Photographs" (20) earned 40 awards at film festivals around the world and has been released in seven countries. After winning the SKIP CITY AWARD for that film, KUSHIDA's "My Mother's Eyes" (23) was described at London FrightFest as paving the way for a third wave of J-horror, and is now being distributed worldwide. His third feature "Acting for Beginners" (24) was produced for the opening gala of SKIP City International D-Cinema Festival.

Acting for Beginners

©2024 Saitama Prefecture/SKIP CITY Sai-no-Kuni Visual Plaza