Filmmaker Tetsu Natori’s Debut Feature Film “At the House by the Water (English Title: Chihiro | Akemi)” To Be Screened in the Feature Film Competition Section at the 31st Split International Film Festival—World Premiere Confirmed!

(C)2026 “At the House by the Water” Production Committee

The “At the House by the Water” Production Committee is pleased to announce that “At the House by the Water” (English title: Chihiro | Akemi), the feature film directorial debut of Tetsu Natori—a filmmaker known for his work on numerous TV commercials and music videos—has been selected for the feature film competition section of the “31st Split International Film Festival(SPLIT FILM FESTIVAL), held in Croatia (September 11–18), and will have its world premiere there.

*At the House by the Water* (English title: *Chihiro | Akemi*) Official Website: https://satoshinatori.com/chihiro-akemi/

Established in 1996 as Croatia’s oldest film festival, the Split International Film Festival is celebrating its 31st edition this year.The festival has a well-established reputation for its artistic vision and high-quality programming, having previously awarded Honorary Awards to master directors such as Chris Marker, Béla Tarr, and Lars von Trier—filmmakers who have profoundly influenced filmmakers worldwide with their unique visual aesthetics.In recent years, there has been a growing focus on Japanese cinema; at last year’s 30th edition, Shingo Ota’s *Shadows of the Marsh: Public Pool (2025)* was selected for the competition section and screened as the opening film.At the 27th edition, *Yamabuki* (2022) by director Juichiro Yamazaki—which was also selected for the ACID section at the Cannes International Film Festival—won the Grand Prix. The festival is known for highly valuing innovative and experimental works of art that transcend mainstream boundaries.This year, eight carefully selected films from around the world have been chosen for the Feature Film Competition, with *At the House by the Shore* (English title: *Chihiro | Akemi*) being the sole entry from Japan.

This nature thriller follows Chihiro (Mao Tezuka), a woman haunted by a dark past—the loss of her young son—as she and her husband Satoru (Souji Arai) visit a lakeside house for recuperation. Amid their quiet life there, the world around her gradually begins to unravel.

The role of Chihiro is played by Mao Tezuka, who has appeared primarily in television and commercials, including the NHK Taiga drama *Break Through the Blue Sky* (2021) and the NHK morning drama *Chimu Dondon* (2022).The role of Chihiro’s husband, Satoru, is played by Souji Arai, who gained international attention for his portrayal of the second son, Moses, in the drama series *Pachinko* (2022) (Apple TV+) and has been active in a wide range of projects both in Japan and abroad.And Kanon Nawata, who appeared in the film *BAD LANDS* (2023), plays the role of Akemi, a female hunter.

■Director’s Comment

I am deeply honored that our film has been selected for the Feature Film Competition section of the historic Split International Film Festival.

Seeing the names of the distinguished directors who have participated in the past fills me with joy, but also makes me feel a sense of responsibility.

Eastern Hokkaido, where the film was shot, is a place dear to me—it’s where I learned to hunt from my late mentor. Just like the primeval forests of that region, which still retain their original, untamed beauty, I eagerly await the day when Croatian audiences can experience this pure and wild film.

■Director Profile

Director: Satoshi Natori

Filmmaker / Director

He made his debut as a video director in 2002 with a music video for DEV LARGE (BUDDHA BRAND).

Since then, he has directed music videos for numerous artists, including PUSHIM, DJ BAKU, ILL-BOSSTINO (THA BLUE HERB), B.I.G.JOE, Tamaki ROY, Mika Nakajima, Naotaro Moriyama, and Anyango.He has also directed promotional videos for the hip-hop program BLACK FILE (SSTV) as well as for global brands such as TOYOTA, adidas, and Google, and is active throughout Asia, based in Tokyo and Shanghai.In recent years, he has expanded his creative horizons through projects such as the live art installation “The Inside Out” with Toshiyuki Terui and collaborative works with visual artist SHOHEI TAKASAKI. This film, *At the House by the Water* (English title: *Chihiro | Akemi*), marks his directorial debut in feature-length cinema.

■ Film Overview

Film: *At the House by the Water* (English Title: *Chihiro | Akemi*)

<Story>

After losing her young son in a bathing accident and consumed by guilt, Chihiro visits a secluded lakeside house with her husband to recuperate. There, they are greeted by Akemi, a female hunter who does not speak.Chihiro ventures into the forest and immerses herself in photography, but she is unable to eat or sleep, spending her days feeling as though she is barely alive. Meanwhile, her husband, Satoru, continues to avoid confronting the sense of loss they should be sharing, and Chihiro is gradually swallowed up by a deep vortex of grief.

<Credits>

Cast:　　　　　　　　　: Mao Tezuka (Chihiro), Kanon Nawata (Akemi),

　　　　　　　　　　　　 Shun’eru Isono (Yuta), Soji Arai (Satoru)

　　　　　　　　　　　　 Manabu Yonemoto, Shungiku Uchida

Director: Tetsu Natori

Screenplay: Shosuke Kudo

Editor: Shogo Yokoyama

Music: Yoshihiro Hanno; Theme Music: Anyango

Producers: Tetsu Natori, Kanon Nawata, Satoru Nakamura, Park So-hee

Cinematography: Takayuki Sugimura, Yuki Shimamura

Art Direction: Mao Yamauchi

Sound Design: Keefar

Color Grading: Max Golomidov

VFX: Makoto Kurehei

Production Manager: Asuki Maejima

Sound Recording　　　　　　　　　: Rinko Fujita

Costume Design　　　　　　　　　: Kohei Oishi

Hair and Makeup: Akemi Kurata, Arisa Tada

Still Photography　　　　　　　: Katsushi Miyake

Special Effects: Tomo Momotake

Costume Management: Hirari Matsumura

Key Visual Design: Reimi Akiyama

Production Company: GunsRock

Produced by: endless poetry, MamFive

　　　　　　　　　　　　 (2026 / Japan / 81 min / Color / 5.1ch /

　　　　　　　　　　　　 Original Title: At the House by the River / English Title: Chihiro | Akemi)

　　　　　　　　　　　　 (C)2026 “At the House by the Water” Production Committee

Distribution and Publicity: Aya Ishikawa

"At the House by the River (English Title: Chihiro | Akemi)" Split International Film Festival Official Website

https://splitfilmfestival.hr/programme/chihiro-akemi/