CAPE and JETRO launch Beyond Japan, pipeline for emerging filmmakers
The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) has partnered with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to launch Beyond Japan, a program aimed at connecting Japanese filmmakers with Hollywood opportunities. The initiative, backed by the Japanese government, will launch virtually this month before transitioning to in-person sessions in Los Angeles.
The first cohort includes six Japanese filmmakers: Fujimura Akiyo, whose Amazon Prime and Apple TV streaming film “Eriko, Pretended” won the SKIP City Award and who contributed to the Kore-eda Hirokazu-produced anthology “Ten Years Japan”; Yoshida Mayumi, Warner Bros. Discovery Access alumna and associate producer of A24/Apple TV+’s “Sunny” starring Rashida Jones; Tsukikawa Sho, director of Japan Academy Prize winner “Let Me Eat Your Pancreas” and Netflix’s manga adaptation “Yu Yu Hakusho,” with upcoming Netflix rom-com “Romantics Anonymous” starring Oguri Shun and Han Hyo -joo; International production veteran from Tokyo, Ü Inose; Shibuya Yu, Venice Film Festival alumnus (“Jitensha”) whose debut feature film “Umbrellas for Miharu” will be released in January 2025; and Fukada Yuske, known for ‘Tokyo Override’ and ‘Perfect World’.
Selection committee members included Palme d’Or winner Kore-eda Hirokazu, actor-producer Oka Masi and executive producer of “Tokyo Vice” Washio Kayo. The program has brought in industry heavyweights as mentors and speakers, including Pete Franciosa and Erlan Nyssanov of UTA, Alana Mayo, president of Orion Pictures, and “Minari” producer Christine Oh.
The program comes as Japanese-Hollywood collaborations such as ‘Shogun’, ‘Tokyo Vice’ and ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ continue to gain traction in the global market. “We’re seeing that shift in our cultural consulting work with studios,” said Michelle K. Sugihara, director of CAPE.
Tsuwaki Yoshiko, Executive Director of JETRO Los Angeles, notes that the Japanese government has prioritized entertainment as a key economic driver: “We are excited to partner with CAPE, who has proven expertise in developing Asians in the entertainment industry.”
The initiative will culminate with J-SCREEN, a two-day event with screenings at the Academy Museum and a networking session at Neuehouse Hollywood, highlighting US-Japan co-productions.
Program partners include AGBO, United Talent Agency, Japan House Los Angeles, Plug and Play, Nothing New and Synepic Entertainment.
