The live-action adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s “Look Back” will compete for the top prize at the 70th BFI London Film Festival, organizers announced Monday.
Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, the film is among 10 titles selected for the festival’s official competition. An awards jury will choose the winner of the Best Film Award, which will be announced Oct. 18, the festival’s closing day.
“Look Back” follows Fujino and Kyomoto, two girls who meet through their mutual dedication to drawing manga. Fujino is a confident aspiring artist, while Kyomoto is a reserved admirer whose talent catches her attention. What begins as artistic rivalry develops into a close friendship and creative partnership spanning more than a decade.
As their work attracts greater recognition, the pair face decisions that place new pressure on their collaboration and individual ambitions.
Kore-eda wrote the screenplay and also serves as the film’s editor. The Japanese filmmaker is known internationally for movies including “Shoplifters,” “Our Little Sister” and “Air Doll.” “Shoplifters” won the Palme d’Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and received an Academy Award nomination for best foreign language film.
Yuta Bando, whose credits include “BELLE” and “Kaiju No. 8,” is composing the score. The production team also includes cinematographer Senzo Ueno, lighting director Masachio Nishida, sound designer Kazuhiko Tomita, art director Shinsuke Kojima and costume designer Sachiko Ito. Kensei Nakayama serves as assistant director, and Rinto Ueda is the visual effects supervisor.
The film was previously showcased at the 79th Cannes International Film Festival in May. It is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters Sept. 11.
GKIDS has acquired distribution rights for the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company plans to release the film theatrically in those territories in 2026, although specific dates have not been announced.
Fujimoto, also known for creating “Chainsaw Man,” published the “Look Back” one-shot through Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ platform in July 2021. The manga recorded more than 2.5 million views on its first day. VIZ Media and MANGA Plus released it digitally in English, and VIZ Media published an English-language print edition in September 2022.
An animated film adaptation directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama opened in Japan in June 2024. It sold 135,000 tickets and grossed 227 million yen during its first three days. GKIDS released the animated film in North American theaters that October, earning an estimated $688,253 at the U.S. box office during its opening weekend.
The BFI London Film Festival will run from Oct. 7-18. The complete program, including screening dates and venues, will be announced Sept. 2. Tickets go on sale to the general public Sept. 17.
Sources: BFI London Film Festival, GKIDS
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