NEWS

The awards ceremony for Asia's largest film festival, the 30th Busan International Film Festival, was held on its final day, Friday, September 26, 2025. The film BAKA's Identity (to be released on October 24), which was the first project to be planned, produced, and distributed by THE SEVEN, a content production company and the overseas strategy studio of the TBS Group, won the Best Actor Award for its three main actors: Takumi Kitamura, Yuta Hayashi, and Go Ayano. This simultaneous win for three lead actors is a rare and remarkable feat. It is a testament to the international acclaim received by this film, THE SEVEN's first theatrical release just three years after its establishment.

BAKA's Identity is based on the novel of the same name by Jun Nishio, which won the 2nd Haruhiko Oyabu Newcomer Award. Akira Morii of THE SEVEN, who has worked on Netflix's "Alice in Borderland" series and "Yu Yu Hakusho", took charge as producer. Other members from THE SEVEN who supported the production include producers Kazuya Shimomura and Shuhei Sekiguchi, VFX artists Satoshi Akaba and Masayoshi Murakami, and post-production artists Kiri Ishida and Saori Miyajima.

The film was directed by Koto Nagata, who is known for her skillful portrayal of human drama. It is a suspenseful escape film that follows the youth of three young people who grew up without knowing love and their three-day journey to escape a "dark business." Through the figures of three young people struggling to survive in poverty and the underworld, the film delves into social themes that resonate with audiences worldwide, while also being a work of entertainment that combines the delicacy and strength characteristic of a female director.

At the Busan Film Festival, the film was selected for the newly established competition section, and its world premiere on the 18th received a huge round of applause from the audience, drawing attention to its potential for an award.

Takumi Kitamura, who was unable to attend the ceremony on the 26th, sent a message to Hayashi, who attended on behalf of the three, saying, "I want you to have fun as the person who carried this film (in many ways)." Ayano also commented, "When I imagine Yuta-kun, who kept chasing the light (even in the film), literally standing in such a brilliant place, it moves me."

The jury's reason for the award was: "The performances of the three young actors, each with a different personality yet perfectly in harmony, went beyond the frame to breathe vibrant life into the characters, showing a special power that allowed the audience to laugh, cry, and grow with the protagonists." This statement highlighted how wonderful their acting was in the film.

Hayashi, who received the trophy on-site, gave a confident speech despite his nervousness. He said, "The most important thing in this film is that trying to live is never a foolish choice. Even if you can't find a big dream or some great meaning, I believe there is great meaning in being here if you have someone who supports you." He expressed his gratitude, saying, "This is what this film and Takumi Kitamura and Go Ayano, who couldn't be here today, taught me. I want to go back to Japan and share this special moment, this special feeling, with the three of us." The audience gave warm applause to Hayashi, who spoke with his heart, holding acrylic stands of Kitamura and Ayano that he had brought from Japan.

At the 30th Busan International Film Festival, in the newly established competition section, three actors from BAKA's Identity—Takumi Kitamura, Yuta Hayashi, and Go Ayano—received the inaugural Best Actor Award.

While the award is typically given to one person, the festival's decision to present it to all three actors from BAKA's Identity is a testament to their generosity and fills me with immense gratitude.

I believe this decision was influenced by the film's narrative, which is told from the perspective of three different generations. However, I am also incredibly happy because I know a three-way tie would not have been possible if the film itself had not been so highly regarded.



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Film BAKA's Identity Nationwide Release on Friday, October 24

Starring: Takumi Kitamura, Yuta Hayashi, Go Ayano, and others
Producer: Akira Morii
Director: Koto Nagata
Screenplay: Kosuke Mukai
Original work: Jun Nishio "BAKA's Identity" (Tokuma Bunko)
Production: "BAKA's Identity"
Production Committee Executive Production: THE SEVEN
Distribution: THE SEVEN, Shochiku