Three distinguished Japanese female producers, Miyagawa Eriko, Eiko Mizuno Gray, and Murata Chieko, shared their journeys to international critical and commercial success at a Tokyo International Film Festival event, part of its Women’s Empowerment section. Moderated by section curator Andrijana Cvetkovikj, the producers delved into their diverse career paths and the intricacies of their profession.

Miyagawa Eriko, an Emmy co-winner for her work on the hit streaming series “Shogun,” began her career as an interpreter on the set of Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill: Vol. 1.” She was captivated by the sheer effort and controlled chaos involved in creating each shot, stating, “I fell in love with the process.” While acknowledging Tarantino as a genius, she felt that directorship was not her calling, preferring to “facilitate things” and be involved in all aspects, making producing a natural fit. She emphasized that key attributes for a producer include an ability to listen, be flexible, and possess empathy, along with clarity about one's goals and the story to be told.

Eiko Mizuno Gray’s path began with volunteering at the Toronto Film Festival, transitioning into publicity before her curiosity led her to producing. She aimed to understand the entire filmmaking process, from beginning to end, which solidified her decision to pursue production. With her husband Jason Gray, she established Loaded Films, through which she has produced award-winning collaborations with director Chie Hayakawa, known for the Cannes Golden Camera nominee “Plan 75” (2022) and the 2025 Cannes competition entry “Renoir.” As an independent producer, Mizuno Gray highlights the importance of being highly selective with projects, focusing on understanding the creator’s vision, reasoning, and storytelling, and aligning her vision with filmmakers on a personal level.

Murata Chieko, initially a film school student in the U.S. studying directing, acting, and cinematography, found herself excelling at none of these, leading her to producing. Upon returning to Japan, she climbed the corporate ladder, holding positions such as director of local production for Fox International Production and senior vice president for production at Sony Pictures Entertainment in Japan and Southeast Asia. Since 2020, she has been senior vice president of Aniplex, known for the smash hit “Demon Slayer” animations, and was a producer on the live-action sensation “Kokuho.” Murata, who operates within a corporate framework, stated that her primary goal is to produce films and TV shows that generate profit for her company. She modestly attributed the record-breaking success of “Kokuho,” the Kabuki-world drama, to the directors, crew, scriptwriter, and actors. However, her extensive experience proved invaluable in engaging with international film festival programmers and filmmakers, who expressed a desire for grand studio films reminiscent of Japan’s Golden Age masters like Ozu and Kurosawa. This feedback inspired her to pursue large-scale productions like “Kokuho,” which features lavish sets, costumes, a decades-spanning story, and a three-hour runtime. She also stressed the paramount importance of talent in the business, which she sees as being fundamentally about bringing money to talent.

All three producers, despite their varied entry points and methodologies—from Miyagawa’s organic progression and emphasis on interpersonal skills, to Mizuno Gray’s independent and creator-centric approach, and Murata’s corporate strategy focused on commercial success and grand scale—underscored the multifaceted and demanding nature of their craft. Miyagawa further noted that “packaging” – the balance of director, scriptwriter, cast, and story – is crucial for a project’s success.