For the first time in its 90-year history, Imagica Group, a pioneer in Japanese post-production and visual effects, is stepping into the realm of financing original films. Over the next five years, the company will co-finance five movies directed by promising newcomers from Japan. Renowned filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda (winner of the Palme d’Or for Shoplifters) is lending his expertise to this project and will help choose the films that will receive funding through this initiative. The first movie to secure financing from Imagica will be announced at a press conference during the Cannes Film Festival on May 14, where Kore-eda and Imagica Group president Shunjiro Nagase will unveil details about the producer, director, and plot of the project.
The partners emphasize that the program highlights a growing awareness in Japan’s movie business about the necessity to nurture fresh artistic perspectives and promote self-expressive cinema, given that the local market continues to depend significantly on productions based on existing intellectual properties.
As a passionate admirer, I’d like to emphasize that global film festivals in Europe and beyond are renowned for showcasing thought-provoking social narratives and distinctive artistic presentations. However, in Japan, there remain significant barriers to overcome when it comes to creating such works. This is the reason behind our desire to establish this platform – a space where budding creators can broaden the horizons of Japanese cinema and elevate its international standing.
Imagica plans to inject approximately 70 million yen ($500,000+) into each project, and they’re also looking to partner with two to three other major Japanese corporations for supplementary funding.
Kore-eda acknowledges that the amount might not seem substantial, but given Japan’s limited government aid for filmmaking, Imagica’s voluntary assistance in nurturing fresh talent is quite unusual and significant,” he says. “Upon learning of their intent to help, I expressed my readiness to contribute in any way possible.
Kore-eda is once again pushing for change in Japan’s movie and TV industries. Known for his outspoken criticism of the Japanese industry’s unfair labor practices and rigid production culture, he consistently champions stronger worker protections, the creation of film unions, and equitable compensation for new talent. Furthermore, through his film company Bunbuku, Inc., he provides mentorship to upcoming filmmakers and writers in a supportive studio setting.
Just recently, at film festivals like Cannes and Venice, the Japanese directors who typically made an appearance were always the same familiar faces – myself, Takeshi Kitano, Naomi Kawase, and Kiyoshi Kurosawa. However, I’m excited to see a fresh wave of talent emerging. Ryusuke Hamaguchi, winner of an Oscar for ‘Drive My Car’, is one example, and this year’s Cannes lineup includes Chie Hayakawa (‘Renoir’) in the main competition, Kei Ishikawa (‘A Pale View Of The Hills’) in Un Certain Regard, and Genki Kawamura (‘Exit Eight’) among others. This renewed energy gives me hope that we’re successfully passing the torch to the next generation. But there’s still a lot of work ahead to revitalize our Japanese film industry.” Ishikawa Studio’s involvement in this process is a significant boost.
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2025-05-13 08:25