CAPE and JETRO Team up for Beyond Japan Hollywood Pipeline Program

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) is partnering with 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, kicks off virtually this month before transitioning to in-person sessions in Los Angeles.

The inaugural cohort features six Japanese filmmakers: Fujimura Akiyo, whose Amazon Prime and Apple TV-streaming feature “Eriko, Pretended” won the SKIP City Award and who contributed to Kore-eda Hirokazu-produced anthology “Ten Years Japan”; Yoshida Mayumi, Warner Bros.

Discovery Access alumna and associate producer on 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; Tokyo-based international production veteran Ü Inose; Shibuya Yu, Venice Film Festival alumnus (“Jitensha”) whose feature directorial debut “Umbrellas for Miharu” releases 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 “Tokyo Vice” executive producer Washio Kayo.