By Patrick Frater

According To The variety Youth romance film “She Taught Me Serendipity” which has its world premiere in competition on Tuesday at the Tokyo International Film Festival, has also enjoyed its first overseas rights sales.

The film was licensed to South Korea’s NK Entertainment and to France’s Art House. Rights are represented by Tokyo-based Free Stone Productions. A release in Japan is scheduled for 2025.

The debut romance novel of exceptional comic Fukutoku Shusuke (“Jaru Jaru”) comes to life in an adaptation by director Ohku Akiko. Rising stars Hagiwara Riku, Kawai Yuumi, Ito Aoi and Kurosaki Kodai lead the onscreen cast.

“Ohku explores new horizons as she meticulously captures the fleeting moments of everyday life in this masterpiece. Prepare to be deeply moved, and truly savor the preciousness of life,” said the Tokyo festival in its program. Ohku is known for her profoundly touching films that include “Tremble All You Want” (2017) and “Hold Me Back” (2020), both of which won the audience award when presented at the Tokyo festival. Her drama series for NHK “My Family” also won the intermedia-globe Silver award in Germany at World Media Festivals earlier in 2024.

Also playing at the festival, as a gala screening, “Sunset, Sunrise” is also being launched by Free Stone. The film is a drama about a young man who flees the big city during COVID and moves into a deserted house in the countryside. While other folk are locked down or in quarantine, the man sneaks out to go fishing. That is not the only thing that he finds he has done to upset his new neighbors. The film is directed by Kishi Yoshiyuki who previously made “(Ab)normal Desire” and stars the hugely popular Suda Masaki (“Cloud”) and Inoue Mao. Production is by Yoshimoto Kogyo and the film is targeting a Jan. 17, 2025, commercial release.

The company’s sales slate also includes “You Are Mine,” and “Push Pause,” which both release commercially on Nov. 8.

“You Are Mine” is based on a romance comedy manga “Atashino!” by Kod Momoko “No Longer Heroine” “My Teacher, My Love”andinvolves a love triangle involving high school girl friends. A first feature by Yokobori \Mitsunori, the film stars Watanabe Miho Kimura Masaya Saito Nagisa and Yamanaka Jyutaro.

“Push Pause,” which has played on the international festival circuit since last year, is a human drama about young adults who gather together to take a break from the stresses of everyday life. It is directed by Kosasa Ryoma and Stars Yamamoto Nairu, Yoshiyuki Kazuko, Yuki Takashi, Mikawa Yugo and Ogoshi Chiharu.