The Japanese feature Fujiko has been picked up for international representation by SC Films International. The deal covers worldwide sales rights, positioning the film for festival appearances and commercial distribution beyond Japan. Produced by Megumi—whose Netflix series Badly in Love achieved record viewership—the film marks the second feature from director Kimura Taichi and is being readied for a multi-stage global rollout.
Built around a personal narrative, Fujiko combines period setting and intimate family drama to appeal to both critics and mainstream audiences. The producers expect the title to travel through the festival circuit before reaching theaters in Japan, where it will open theatrically on June 5. Festival strategy and international market exposure are central to SC Films’ plans, with the company also including the title in its Cannes Film Market offerings.
Production, story and creative background
Fujiko is anchored in the social and cultural shifts of Shizuoka during the 1970s and ’80s, drawing closely on the director’s own family history. Kimura’s upbringing included a move to the United Kingdom at age 12 to pursue filmmaking, an experience that shaped his storytelling perspective. Before features, he directed music videos for acts such as Coldplay and Chase & Status, and created commercials for brands like Adidas and Uniqlo. His debut feature, Afterglows, won him the best director prize at the 2026 Barcelona Asian Film Festival, underscoring his cross-genre sensibility.
Creative approach and themes
The film explores a single mother’s search for autonomy during a time of rapid social change, blending period realism with emotional intimacy. Director Kimura has described this project as his most personal work, aiming to reveal identity and belonging through the lens of family. The production emphasizes authentic locations and a character-driven narrative, while balancing the demands of commercial accessibility with festival-minded artistry.
Cast, crew and key collaborators
Ensemble cast is a fitting label for Fujiko, which stars Katayama Yuki alongside established performers including Lily Franky (noted for Shoplifters), You (from Nobody Knows), Ogata Issey (who appeared in Silence), Kishimoto Kayoko and Ujiki Tsuyoshi. Producer Megumi also performs in the film, contributing both on-screen and behind the scenes. The project was shaped in the editing room by Miyake Aika, whose recent credits include work on Shogun.
Writers and production leadership
The screenplay is credited to Gajin Shota and Kuniyoshi Saki, who crafted a narrative that interweaves personal memory with broader cultural shifts. Negotiations for international sales were led by Fumie Suzuki Lancaster of SC Films, who will serve as an executive producer on the title alongside the company’s co-founder Simon Crowe. This combination of domestic talent and international sales expertise is intended to maximize the film’s reach.
Festival trajectory, release plans and soundtrack
Fujiko is slated to make its world premiere at Italy’s Udine Far East Film Festival, followed by a German premiere as the opening film of Nippon Connection. After the festival appearances, the film is scheduled to open across Japan on June 5, while SC Films International will present the title at the Cannes Film Market to secure further distribution partners. The strategy aims to reach both festival programmers and commercial distributors.
The film’s sonic identity leans into contemporary rock influences, with contributions from Tsuneta Daiki of King Gnu and Popal Daoud Akira of Kikagaku Moyo. This collaboration creates a soundtrack that complements the period setting while giving the picture a modern edge. Producer Megumi emphasized the importance of international exposure, and director Kimura framed the film as an expression of family and self—an artistic declaration he calls uniquely significant in his career.
SC Films’ market slate for Cannes also includes the family animation Girl in the Clouds and Indonesian action horror Melati by Mike Wiluan, indicating a program that mixes genre offerings with auteur-driven projects. With Fujiko now under SC Films’ wing, the film is poised for a festival-focused launch followed by targeted theatrical and international distribution efforts.
