Tokyo Festival: Five Directors Share How Chance Meetings Shaped Debut Films

Five Japanese directors gathered at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival on October 29 to discuss the unconventional origins of their debut features. The panel, held at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya and moderated by TIFF programming director Ichiyama Shozo, featured filmmakers whose projects emerged from direct industry outreach, spontaneous sponsor themes, and personal experiences in the wilderness.

Ueda Shinichiro, director of "Earthlings in Love," explained that his film began as a 30-episode microdrama series for social media. He noted that the vertical aspect ratio was a natural consequence of that origin. However, the production budget was equivalent to a regular independent film. Ueda said the team treated the project like a theatrical release from the start, which made it suitable for cinema screens despite its digital roots.

Saito Kisin, a cinematographer making his directorial debut with "Kefi," described how a sponsor initially asked for a film about maternal love. As discussions progressed, the sponsor gave the team creative freedom. The final film follows three sisters after their father's death. Saito said the sponsor left the details to him, allowing him to inject his own preferences into the narrative structure.

Natori Satoshi, who directed "Chihiro | Akemi," drew on his past as a hunter in eastern Hokkaido to shape the film's themes. He compared the cycle of hunting and eating to his life in Tokyo, noting that the wilderness stripped away his social roles. His film won the Grand Prix at the Split Film Festival in Croatia. That victory led to a meeting with Mexican director Carlos Reygadas, who was on the jury. Reygadas approached Natori after the screening and proposed a future Japan-Mexico collaboration.

Yaza Takenoshin, director of "Hinotama: Ball of Fire," detailed how he contacted cinematographer Kitagawa Yoshio directly. Kitagawa is known for his work with Oscar winner Hamaguchi Ryusuke. Yaza admitted he did not know the cost of a feature film but reached out because Kitagawa had experience with low-budget projects. Kitagawa agreed to shoot the film and connected Yaza with a producer who secured financing. Yaza described his first time on a film set as a generous and open environment.

Matsumura Shingo, whose film "Between Us" explores the overlap between theater and reality, emphasized the conceptual freedom he enjoyed during production. The panel concluded with Natori reflecting on the importance of making a feature-length film that satisfies the director. He stated that it is crucial to create a work that can only be made because it is the creator's first time.