Born in Aichi, Japan - 1976, Kazushi Watanabe started making films as a high school student and his works have gained great reputation and response at both domestic and international film festivals. In 2000, when he was just 23 years old, he wrote, directed and played the main role in “19”. It was shown at many international film festivals, including Toronto. At Sarajevo, Miss. Agnes B praised this film and he won the special jury award. He has also directed and produced “Stay Free”-(2002) and “Space Police”-(2004). Mr. Watanabe is one of the leading up-and-coming directors in Japan. He has talent in front of the camera as well, having additionally served as an actor in the main role of “Visitor Q- (2000), directed by Takashi Miike who is one of the greatest film directors in Japan. And “Detective Office 5” (2005), directed by Kaizo Hayashi. (Source: Asianwiki)