Winning the Cume Laude Prize and graduating from UCLA Film School in 1981, Sugawara Hiroshi started his film career in Los Angeles.

After returning to Japan, he made his directorial debut in 1988 creating SEVEN DAYS OF WAR. With his Japan
and America base, Sugawara Hiroshi continues directing, writing and producing feature films. He chooses primarily to use first time actors, many of whom receive acclaim for their performances.

Some of his significant films include, DRUG (2001), DREAMMAKER (1999) and CHEATING (1996).

Mr Sugawara will be a special guest of the 8th Japanese Film Festival

Kiyoko Sakuma started her carrier as a script supervisor in 1969 for Toei Company. From 1973 Sakuma became an independent script supervisor working on many feature films. From 1995 to 1997 Sakuma was the Director of Management for the Japanese Society of Script Supervisors. In 1998 she lectured at The Japan Academy of Moving Images and the Chiyoda Graduate School of Arts. In 2003 She produced a critically acclaimed feature film Fireflies River of Light and is currently developing several other projects.

A graduate of what is now the Japan Academy of Moving Images, Hideki Ujiie has been line producer for numerous acclaimed films, including When the Last Sword is Drawn (2003, directed by Yojiro Takita) and Quill (2003, directed by Yoichi Sai).

Hideki Ujiie has been posted to Sydney for one year by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs.