The second cohort of Japan's Film Frontier Global Networking Program has been announced, featuring directors Kaneko Yurina, Kusano Natsuka, Takahashi Sota, Fujimoto Akio, and producer Yoshihara Hiroyuki. The participants will receive 18 months of support to advance their international careers, unveiled at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival. The program aims to nurture global creative professionals through networking, festival participation, and development guidance.
Program Overview
The Film Frontier Global Networking Program, part of the Japan Creator Support Fund established in 2023, provides tailored support for filmmakers seeking international opportunities. Funded by the Agency for Cultural Affairs via the Japan Arts Council, it includes guidance on global development, overseas festival participation, and industry networking. This edition expands to offer English-language pitching training and initiatives for international markets, starting from October.
The program is one of three Film Frontier initiatives, alongside the Feature Anime Creators in Progress and the Residency Program. Selection focused on high-quality, original projects, as noted by committee members.
Announcement Event
The recipients were revealed during the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival. The event featured reports from first-cohort director Nakanishi Mai and Residency Program participant Yamashita Tsubomi, followed by a panel with director Ishikawa Kei, TIFF programming director Ichiyama Shozo, and Cannes Film Festival's Christian Jeune.
Ichiyama commented, “Once again, the applicants were of an extremely high standard, and the selection process was truly challenging. We chose projects that we believe are highly feasible, and I hope the participants will start working on them as soon as next year.”
Ishikawa added, “As a director, I focused not on feasibility but purely on the excellence of the proposals. All of the selected projects are highly original and can only be created by these participants. I believe they will even become my competitors for my next work.”
Participants and Background
Kaneko Yurina (director): Debuted with “People Who Talk to Plushies Are Kind” (2023), selected for Shanghai International Film Festival's Asian New Talent section. She highlighted the program's value for fundraising.
Kusano Natsuka (director): Her film “The Kingdom (or About That House)” (2018) screened at International Film Festival Rotterdam and was named a BFI best of the year. She expressed excitement for dedicated research time via video.
Takahashi Sota (director): “Memory Devices” won the Audience Award at PFF Award 2023; directed “Addressee Unknown” (2025) for NDJC. He called the selection a key step for his long-planned Serbia film.
Fujimoto Akio (director): Latest work “Lost Land,” on Rohingya refugees, won the special jury prize at Venice Film Festival's Horizons section and screens at TIFF, with a Japan release in spring 2026.
Yoshihara Hiroyuki (producer): Involved in co-productions like Japan-Korea “3mm Love” and Japan-Taiwan-Poland “Good Death.” He appreciated selection despite the project's challenges.
This cohort underscores Japan's push to elevate its filmmakers on the global stage.