The time has come, G-Fans! We have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of who is coming to G-FEST 2024. Will it be Carl Craig? Will Don Frye make his return? Will there be a crazy first time special guest like last year’s Yumiko Shaku?
G-FEST has indeed confirmed that it is Heisei Gamera star Ayako Fujitani!
About Ayako Fujitani
Ayako Fujitani made her debut at the age of 13 in the 1995 film GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE. She continued her involvement in the Gamera franchise by starring in GAMERA 2: ADVENT OF LEGION (1996) and GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRYS (1999), completing the Heisei Trilogy.
Since then, she has diversified her career, establishing herself as both an actor and a writer in the realm of Film/TV. Her contributions extend internationally, collaborating with directors and producers from around the world.
Her writing career kicked off with articles for the esteemed Japanese movie magazine Road Show. Her debut novel, Flee Dream, caught the attention of director Hideaki Anno (known for EVANGELION, SHIN GODZILLA), who adapted it into RITUAL (2000), the first non-animated feature film by Studio Ghibli.
Ayako’s acting prowess was showcased in SANSA (2003), a film by French director Siegfried, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2008, she was chosen by director Michel Gondry (famous for ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND) to play the lead role in TOKYO! (2008). Gondry later featured Ayako in his documentary short titled “How to Blow Up a Helicopter (Ayako’s Story).”
In 2009, Ayako relocated to Los Angeles, where she starred in MAN FROM RENO (2015), directed by Dave Boyle. The film earned a nomination for the John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award. Additionally, she appeared in popular TV shows such as THE LAST SHIP and MOZART IN THE JUNGLE.
Collaborating with Director Park Chan-Wook (known for OLD BOY), Ayako co-wrote a short film titled “A Rose Reborn,” which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival.
Taking on the role of writer and director, Ayako presented her short films “The Doors” and “BOW WOW BOW” to audiences at the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival in France.
Her latest project includes the movie TOKYO COWBOY, set to be released soon.
Now a mother of two, Ayako eagerly anticipates meeting her fans at G-FEST in July
About G-FEST
G-FEST is a multi-faceted convention that caters to a wide variety of interests within the kaiju genre.
Each year G-FEST presents panels, Q & A sessions by actors and crew from kaiju films, fan presentations on topics of interest, a variety of contests, and boasts a fully equipped video gaming thread. Whether you want to participate in the production of an epic fan-made film in Dojo Studios, receive model making instruction from industry pros, shop the world’s most extensive kaiju-focused vendor’s room, or get an autograph from an idol, G-FEST has everything you need to fulfill your G dreams!
