Actress Mariko Ishihara, who has recently been making waves in the entertainment industry due to her tell-all autobiography "Fuzoroi na Himitsu," announced on Friday that she will be making a film version of the book. The book has already sold more than 300,000 copies.

Ishihara has decided to direct the film herself. The release is scheduled for May.

Five-member Johnny's Jr. band Question? will star in their first stage production, an adaptation of Sunao Ashihara's novel "Seishun Dendekedekedeke" which won the Naoki Prize in 1991. The story follows a group of high school students in the '60s who form a rock band styled after the American band The Ventures.

Saki Terashima will play the lead female role. The production will run March 5-13 at Le Theatre Ginza.

The official website for Satoshi Kon's highly acclaimed "Paprika" has been updated. The site advertises May 25 as the U.S. theatrical release date for the film.

The winners for the 61st Mainichi Film Awards have been announced. In the film category, "Yureru" has been awarded the top prize, while "Hula Girl" was also honored with a Best Film prize. "Flags of Our Fathers" was named as the best foreign film.

Best Actor went to Koichi Sato ("Yuki ni Negau Koto") and Best Actress went to Miki Nakatani ("Memories of Matsuko"). Takashi Sasano and Yu Aoi earned Best Supporting Actor and Actress, respectively, each having appeared in multiple films in 2006. The Sponichi Newcomer awards went to Muga Tsukaji ("Mamiya Kyodai") and Rei Dan ("Bushi no Ichibun"). Actress Mitsuko Kusabue won the Kinuyo Tanaka Award.

Kichitaro Negishi earned Best Director and Masato Kato earned Best Screenplay for their work on "Yuki ni Negau Koto."

In the animation category, "Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo" was named Best Animated Film, and "Tekkon Kinkreet" was given the Noburo Ofuji Award.

Many other awards in other categories were announced. The official ceremony will take place on February 6 at the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Shibuya.