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Private company

Kindai Eiga Kyokai

Japanese film studio

Kindai Eiga Kyōkai (近代映画協会; "Modern Film Association") is a Japanese independent film studio. It was formed in 1950 by directors Kōzaburō Yoshimura and Kaneto Shindo and actor Taiji Tonoyama, and went on to produce most of Shindo's films, such as The Naked Island and Onibaba.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

Jul 31, 1950Founded1

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Kindai Eiga Kyōkai (近代映画協会; "Modern Film Association") is a Japanese independent film studio. It was formed in 1950 by directors Kōzaburō Yoshimura and Kaneto Shindo and actor Taiji Tonoyama, and went on to produce most of Shindo's films, such as The Naked Island and Onibaba.2

The story

Kindai Eiga Kyōkai was formed in 1950 when Kōzaburō Yoshimura and Kaneto Shindo decided to leave the Shochiku production company. It was formed together with actor Taiji Tonoyama.

By 1960, the company was almost bankrupt. With little money left, Shindo decided to make one last film, The Naked Island. This was a hit abroad, winning a prize at the Moscow Film Festival, and the money earned by signing foreign distribution rights was enough to keep the company afloat.

Throughout its history, the company was never highly profitable, with profits being reinvested into making more films.

From Wikipedia’s article on Kindai Eiga Kyōkai, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Timeline

  1. Jul 31, 1950Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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