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Nobuhiro Hosoki grew up watching American films since he was a kid; he decided to go to the United States thanks to seeing the artistry of Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange.” After graduating from film school, he worked as an assistant director on TV Tokyo’s program called “Morning Satellite” at the New York branch office but he didn’t give up on his interest in cinema. He became a film reporter for via Yahoo Japan News. In that role, he writes news articles, picks out headliners for Yahoo News, as well as interviewing Hollywood film directors, actors, and producers working in the domestic circuit in the USA. He also does production interviews for Japanese distributors of American films and for in-theater on-sale programs. He is now the editor-in-chief of Cinemadailyus.com while continuing his work for Japan.
Sunday, December 14, 2025 – 10:30 AM: Ishiro Honda: Memoirs of a Film Director by Jonathan Bellés
A rare and intimate portrait of Ishiro Honda, the visionary creator of Godzilla (1954) and lifelong artistic partner to Akira Kurosawa. Through wartime memories, reflections on nuclear trauma, and decades behind the lens, Honda’s cinematic voice shaped not only Japan — but global popular culture.
TICKET INFORMATION
- General Admission: $15
- Students: $12
- Online Access: $10
- Group Tickets (4+ people): 20% off total purchase in a single transaction
- Classroom / Academic Access: Available for educators
(Please contact info@cjfc.us for educational booking)
*Tickets will be available starting November 15, 2025, for both in-theater and online screenings.
You can purchase the tickets, https://www.cjfc.us/
FILM INFORMATION
- Ishiro Honda: Memoirs of a Film Director
[Jonathan Bellés | Documentary | Spain | 2024 | 65 min. |(c)2024 Daifilms]
Ishiro Honda: Memoirs of a Film Director explores the life and career of Japanese director Ishiro Honda, focusing on his films, war experiences, and friendship with Akira Kurosawa.
- Shiver | 戦慄せしめよ
[TOYODA Toshiaki | Music, Avant-Garde | Japan | 2021 | 89 min. |©Etto]
This 89-minute invisible sound by TOYODA Toshiaki vibrates the mind and soul, capturing the powerful collaboration between HINO Koshiro and Kodo, the world-famous taiko ensemble from Sado Island.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
CJFC is honored to share that co-founder Yuki Solomon was awarded a Chicago/Midwest Emmy® Award on November 1, 2025 for Promotion – Single Spot with Cubs Productions.
The winning piece celebrated Japanese MLB stars Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga returning to Japan to open the 2025 MLB season — a moment bridging cultures through sport, pride, and storytelling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E5yprmM49Q
Statement from Yuki Solomon:
“As someone devoted to connecting Japan and the United States, this achievement means more than a dream. I am deeply grateful to Cubs Productions and to all who continue building cultural bridges abroad. This award belongs to everyone pursuing their life and happiness across borders.”
ABOUT CJFC
The Chicago Japan Film Collective, established in 2021, is the first and only Japanese film festival in the Midwest. CJFC showcases independent Japanese cinema with a focus on diverse creative voices, while deepening cultural understanding through film, conversation, and community events.