Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on August 2012

One of the most prolific producers in film history will be blowing through town later this year. Roger Corman has been appointed the head of the jury for the upcoming 25th Tokyo International Film Festival. The filmmaker, who has over 600 separate credits on the Internet Movie Database to his name, began his career in 1954 and quickly gained a reputation for his speed and resourcefulness. He claims to have used only two and a half days to direct 1960’s The Little Shop of Horrors, which became a cult classic and spawned a musical remake. He also had a knack for spotting new talent, giving early breaks to luminaries such as Jack Nicholson, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and James Cameron. Corman was in Tokyo last year, to attend the Japan premiere of the documentary Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel, which examines his unique approach to making movies in Hollywood. “My last visit to Tokyo revealed to me a panorama of Asian cinema, a promising crop of young directors,” the maverick recalls. “I am privileged to return to again experience the thrill of finding young genius.”

The 25th Tokyo International Film Festival will be held Oct 20-28 at Roppongi Hills and other venues. http://2012.tiff-jp.net/en