FILMINATION

FILMINATION (Location: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President: Hiroaki Kanamaru; hereinafter "FILMINATION"), a distribution platform of Japanese films for global VOD companies, started delivering seven Japanese films on Kanopy, a VOD service for public libraries and educational institutions.

Kanopy is a VOD service for public libraries and educational institutions based in San Francisco, USA. Partnering with more than 4,000 libraries worldwide, Kanopy offers more than 30,000 films, including international film festival winners and academic titles. Users can access the films for free using their library card or educational institution login details.

"The Hikita's Are Expecting!" directed by Toru Hosokawa and "BEING NATURAL" directed by Tadashi Nagayama will be available on Kanopy from May.

"The Hikita's Are Expecting!" is a film adaptation of an essay by writer Kunio Hikita about his own experiences. The main character is played by Yutaka Matsushige in his first starring role in a film and his wife is played by Keiko Kitagawa.

"The Hikita's Are Expecting!" ©2019The Hikita’s Are Expecting! Film Partners

In "BEING NATURAL", director Tadashi Nagayama, winner of the Grand Prix at the 2017 Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival for his film " Journey of the Tortoise ", depicts the turmoil that ensues when a family from Tokyo, yearning to live in the countryside, visit a 50-year-old bachelor who lives in a house in the country inherited from his uncle.

"BEING NATURAL "©TADASHI NAGAYAMA

In addition, "VR Workplace" by Yuki Takashima, "Demolition Girl" by Genta Matsugami, "Journey of the Tortoise" by Tadashi Nagayama, "The Fake Of Red Army" by Sadato Takenaka will be available from July, and "WHOLE" by Bilal Kawazoe from August 24.

In the overseas VOD market, VOD services are not only for individual viewers but also for public institutions that are emerging. FILMINATION will continue to contribute to the development of the Japanese film industry by discovering attractive and appealing Japanese films and supporting their overseas expansion.

About Films to be distributed on Kanopy

"The Hikita's Are Expecting!" directed by Toru Hosokawa（available from May 25）

A film adaptation of an essay by writer Kunio Hikita about his own experiences. The main character is played by Yutaka Matsushige in his first starring role in a film and his wife is played by Keiko Kitagawa.

"BEING NATURAL" directed by Tadashi Nagayama（available from May 25）

Director Tadashi Nagayama, winner of the Grand Prix at the 2017 Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival for his film Tortoise's Journey, depicts the turmoil that ensues when a family from Tokyo, yearning to live in the countryside, visit a 50-year-old bachelor who lives in a house in the country inherited from his uncle.

"VR Workplace" directed by Yuki Takashima（available from July

A comedy about labor problems in Japan in the near future, in which a bug occurs in the "VR Workplace", a game to help NEETs find jobs, where the AI character "Chief Iwaki" harasses the players. Winner of the Grand Prize at the 3rd Shibuya TANPEN Film Festival.

"Demolition Girl " directed by Genta Matsugami（available from July）

Aya Kitai, the lead actress of this film, won the Best Performance Award at the Slamdance Film Festival in the United States for her portrayal of a local high school girl who lives a strong life despite adversity.

"Journey of the Tortoise" directed by Tadashi Nagayama（available from July）

A road movie about the journey of a man who lost his wife, his rebellious son and his pet turtle. The film won the Grand Prix in Competition at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival 2017 and the Best Actor Award for lead actor Tomoki Kimura at the 10th Tanabe Benkei Film Festival.

"The Fake Of Red Army" directed by Sadato Takenaka（available from July）

A comedy about a group of students living in a dormitory known for its student movement 40 years ago. To become famous, they are interviewed by the media and start a fake student movement.

"WHOLE" directed by Bilal Kawazoe（available from August 24）

The film, about half-Japanese identity through the encounters and journeys of two young men, was officially invited to JAPAN CUTS, the largest Japanese film festival in North America, and won the JAPAN CUTS Award Special Mention at the 2019 Osaka Asian Film Festival.