Kowatanda Films is an award-winning indie production house based in Tokyo, founded in 2016 by director Anshul Chauhan and producer Mina Moteki. We create bold, emotionally charged human stories with international resonance.
Our debut feature BAD POETRY TOKYO (2017) won the Grand Prix at Brussels International Film Festival before its nationwide release in Japan. This was followed by KONTORA (2019), which made history as the first Japanese film to win the Grand Prix at Tallinn Black Nights, also receiving Best Music, Best Actor at Osaka Asian Film Festival, and the Obayashi Prize at Japan Cuts.
In 2022, we premiered DECEMBER, a courtroom drama in Busan’s main program, later releasing in Japan. Korea, Taiwan and Spain.
Our latest feature, TIGER, an LGBT drama set in Tokyo, is set to have its world premiere in the Vision section at the 30th Busan International Film Festival this September.
Kowatanda continues to build on its reputation as a distinctive voice in Japanese independent cinema, committed to telling powerful, thought-provoking stories for a global audience.
Services
Production - Full-Service & Line Production
End-to-end production support, primarily in Japan and now also in India. We manage everything from development and budgeting to shooting, post-production, and delivery. Whether you need a complete production team on the ground or line production services in either territory, we ensure seamless execution across languages, logistics, and local regulations.
Consulting - Strategic & Creative Guidance
We help filmmakers, studios, and brands navigate the complexities of modern storytelling and production. Our consulting is built on decades of hands-on experience and broken into focused areas:
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Script Consulting - Script doctoring, detailed notes, structural analysis, and creative development to strengthen your story at every level.
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Production Consulting – Budget strategy, scheduling, crew structuring, and workflow optimization for productions shooting in Japan.
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Festival Strategy - Leveraging our deep festival background and global network, we guide you on submission strategy, premiere positioning, and industry connections that get your short or feature film noticed — from A-list festivals to specialized genre markets.
Casting - Local & International
From Tokyo to Mumbai, we've cast talent across Japan, India, and beyond. We handle everything from breakdowns and auditions to contract negotiation and on-set coordination - whether you need one lead or a hundred background actors. Our bilingual team ensures smooth communication with talent and agencies in both markets.
Acting Workshops - Training, Shoot & Delivery
We work with actors at every level - from emerging talent to seasoned professionals. Our service includes:
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Acting coaching & scene preparation tailored to your strengths and goals
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Professional demo reel shoot with high-end cinematography and direction
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Each package is customized to your budget and timeline - whether you need a single scene or a multi-character showcase.