January 19, 2016 - 17:28 AMT
“Our Little Sister” scores record noms for Japanese Academy Awards

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s ensemble drama “Our Little Sister” has scored an unprecedented 12 nominations for this year’s Japan Academy Prizes, including best picture, best director, best screenplay (Kore-eda), best actress (Haruka Ayase), best supporting actress (Kaho, Masami Nagasawa) and best newcomer (Suzu Hirose), according to Variety.

“Our Little Sister,” which screened in competition at Cannes last year, is also unusual in that all four of its lead actresses have been nominated, in various categories.

Japan’s contender for the foreign-language Oscar, Masaharu Take’s boxing drama “100 Yen Love,” was nominated for five prizes, including best actress for star Sakura Ando.

The Japan Academy Prize Association, whose 3,900 members include employees of major film companies, as well as directors, actors and others in the Japanese film community, awards prizes in 15 categories, including best animation and best foreign film. The winners will be announced on March 4 in Tokyo.

Photo: Cannes Film Festival