HIKARI Shines at Berlin: Japanese Director Joins Film Festival Jury
If you’ve ever been captivated by the emotional depth of Japanese cinema, here’s some exciting news to dive into! On January 29, 2026, it was announced that Japanese film director HIKARI (HIKARI) has been selected as a 審査員 (shinsa-in - jury member) for the Competition section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival. This is a huge honor, placing her among legendary Japanese creatives who’ve shaped global cinema. Whether you’re a film buff or just starting to explore Japanese culture through language, this moment offers a perfect window into Japan’s storytelling legacy and the words that bring it to life.
HIKARI’s Inspiring Path to Berlin
HIKARI, a Japanese director based in the United States, has built an incredible career that’s now earning her a spot on the Berlin jury. Her early short film Tsuyako (Tsuyako), set in post-war Japan, won over 50 awards, including the DGA Student Award for Best Female Director. She continued to make waves with works like A Better Tomorrow and her feature debut 37セカンズ (37 Sekanzu), which premiered at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival and clinched two major awards. Beyond films, HIKARI has contributed to popular dramas like BEEF and TOKYO VICE. Now, at the 76th Berlin Film Festival from February 12 to 22, 2026, she’ll help decide the winners of the Golden Bear and Silver Bear awards alongside jury chair Wim Wenders and South Korean actor Bae Doona. Talk about a 注目の (chuumoku no - notable) achievement for a 映画監督 (eiga kantoku - film director)!
What’s even more thrilling is that this news came with the revelation—ことが明らかに (koto ga akiraka ni - it has been revealed that)—of her joining such an elite group. She follows in the footsteps of iconic figures like musician 坂本龍一 (Sakamoto Ryuichi) and director 濱口竜介 (Hamaguchi Ryusuke), who served as jurors in 2018 and 2022, respectively. This pattern of 〜に続いて (ni tsuduite - following, after) showcases Japan’s growing influence in international cinema.
Upcoming Film: Rental Family
Adding to the excitement, HIKARI’s latest project, レンタル・ファミリー (Rentaru Famirii - Rental Family), is set for 公開 (koukai - release) across Japan on February 27, 2026. This heartfelt film tells the story of a struggling actor, played by Brendan Fraser, who finds new meaning in life by taking on roles as a stand-in family member for others. With a stellar Japanese cast including 平岳大 (Hira Takehiro), 山本真理 (Yamamoto Mari), and 柄本明 (Emoto Akira), the film promises to be a powerful 舞台 (butai - stage, setting) for exploring human connection. HIKARI will also visit Japan for promotional events with Fraser and the cast, making this a moment of 受賞 (jushou - winning an award)-worthy anticipation for fans.
Cultural Context: Japanese Cinema and Connection
The Berlin International Film Festival, or ベルリン国際映画祭 (Berurin Kokusai Eigasai), is one of the world’s top film events alongside Cannes and Venice, and it holds a special place in Japanese cinema history. Legends like 黒澤明 (Kurosawa Akira) have been celebrated there, and HIKARI’s role as a juror reflects the rising global recognition of modern Japanese filmmakers, especially women breaking barriers in a historically male-dominated field. Her upcoming film レンタル・ファミリー also dives into a fascinating Japanese concept—renting relationships. In Japan, services exist where people hire actors to play family or friends for events or emotional support. This mirrors deeper societal themes of loneliness and the yearning for connection, a recurring motif in Japanese storytelling that you’ll notice as you explore the language and culture.
Learn Japanese from This Article
Ready to pick up some authentic Japanese inspired by HIKARI’s story? Let’s break down key vocabulary and grammar patterns that capture the essence of this news. These are terms and structures you’d encounter in Japan, whether you’re chatting about films or reading entertainment updates.
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 映画監督 | eiga kantoku | film director |
| 審査員 | shinsa-in | jury member, judge |
| コンペティション | konpetishon | competition |
| 公開 | koukai | release, make public (e.g., a movie) |
| 受賞 | jushou | winning an award |
| 舞台 | butai | stage, setting (literal or figurative) |
| 注目の | chuumoku no | notable, attention-grabbing |
These words are incredibly useful if you’re discussing movies or cultural events in Japanese. For instance, you might hear コンペティション (konpetishon) straight from Japanese media when talking about international festivals like Berlin.
Grammar Spotlight: 〜ことが明らかに (It Has Been Revealed That...)
This structure is often used in news or formal announcements to state something has been made clear or revealed.
- Pattern: [Fact/Statement] + ことが明らかに + なる/された
- Usage: It conveys that a piece of information has come to light, often in a public or official context.
Examples:
- HIKARIが審査員に選ばれたことが明らかにされた。 (HIKARI ga shinsa-in ni erabareta koto ga akiraka ni sareta.) It has been revealed that HIKARI was selected as a jury member.
- 新作映画の公開日が決まったことが明らかにされた。 (Shin-saku eiga no koukai-bi ga kimatta koto ga akiraka ni sareta.) It has been revealed that the release date for the new film has been decided.
- 受賞者が発表されたことが明らかにされた。 (Jushou-sha ga happyou sareta koto ga akiraka ni sareta.) It has been revealed that the award winner was announced.
You’ll hear this in Japanese news reports or articles, making it a great way to sound natural when discussing current events.
Grammar Spotlight: 〜に続いて (Following, After)
This expression is used to indicate someone or something follows in the footsteps of another, often in a sequence of events or achievements.
- Pattern: [Person/Event] + に続いて + [Next Person/Event]
- Usage: It highlights succession or continuation, often with a sense of legacy or trend.
Examples:
- 坂本龍一に続いて、HIKARIが審査員になった。 (Sakamoto Ryuichi ni tsuduite, HIKARI ga shinsa-in ni natta.) Following Sakamoto Ryuichi, HIKARI became a jury member.
- 濱口竜介に続いて、彼女も注目を集めている。 (Hamaguchi Ryusuke ni tsuduite, kanojo mo chuumoku o atsume te iru.) Following Hamaguchi Ryusuke, she is also gaining attention.
- 大ヒット映画に続いて、新作も期待されている。 (Dai-hitto eiga ni tsuduite, shin-saku mo kitai sarete iru.) Following the blockbuster film, the new work is also highly anticipated.
This is a handy phrase for storytelling or discussing history and achievements in Japanese culture.
Continue Learning
Want to deepen your Japanese skills while exploring topics like cinema and culture? Check out these lessons tailored to help you grow:
- Ni, De, and E: Mapping Directions and Locations: Want to learn more about に? Check out our lesson on Ni, De, and E: Mapping Directions and Locations.
- Katakana Essentials: Adapting Global Words to Japanese: Working on your reading skills? Our Katakana Essentials: Adapting Global Words to Japanese lesson is a great next step.
- Wa vs. Ga: Emphasizing Importance in Sentences: Want to learn more about は? Check out our lesson on Wa vs. Ga: Emphasizing Importance in Sentences.
Keep practicing, and you’ll be discussing Japanese cinema like a native in no time! これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.