Japanese major Shochiku has unveiled its line-up for the upcoming European Film Market (EFM) which includes new titles from Ataru Oikawa and Junji Sakamoto.

Oikawa's recently completed rural horror film Shrill Cries Of Summer is based on a successful franchise extending from video games to manga and TV animation. Oikawa directed several entries in the Tomie horror series.

Also debuting at EFM is director Junji Sakamoto's latest feature Children Of The Dark, starring Yosuke Eguchi (Goemon), Aoi Miyazaki (Nana) and Satoshi Tsumabuki (Dororo). The film follows a Japanese journalist and NGO worker as they try to uncover child prostitution and black market organ sales in Thailand.

Both films are slated for release this summer.

Shochiku will also promote documentary Panda Days (working title), a Japan-China co-production shot at zoos in both countries. The film spans one year and features the first ever footage of a newborn panda in its mother's arms. The release is planned to coincide with the Beijing Olympics.

The line-up follows two announcements last week from the studio. A sequel to Shochiku's biggest hit of 2007, Kitaro, is now in production and set for a summer release. The company is also handling international sales of martial arts action film Ichi, directed by Fumihiko Sori (Vexille). Both films are also part of the EFM sales slate.

Other EFM titles include 10 Promises To My Dog, Walking My Life and Midnight Eagle.

Shochiku also has two films in the Berlin Film Festival itself: Kabei - Our Mother, directed by Yoji Yamada, will screen in competition and Issei Oda's Kung Fu Kid will screen in the Generation youth film section. Both are international premieres.

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