'I Want to Be a Superstar' Doc Japan Boxing Champ Mizuki Hiruta

Mar 17, 2026 5:10pm PT Documentary ‘I Want to Be a Superstar’ Showcases Story of Female Japanese Boxing Champ Mizuki Hiruta (EXCLUSIVE) By Faye Bradley Plus Icon Faye Bradley Latest Golden Rooster Roundtable Talks Chinese Cinema in the Age of AI at Hong Kong FilMart: ‘AI Cannot Replace Actors’ 14 minutes ago Linmon Media Unveils 2026–2027 Slate and Microdrama Expansion at Hong Kong FilMart 15 hours ago FilMart 2026 Sets the Stage for AI, Short Dramas and Emerging Asian Markets 23 hours ago See All Courtesy Filmmaker Peter Michael Dowd has revealed that production is underway on his new feature documentary about Japanese world champion boxer Mizuki Hiruta, titled “I Want to Be a Superstar.” Hiruta has been making waves in women’s boxing. In 2025, she was named Female Fighter of the Year at the Ring Magazine Awards, held at Cipriani in New York City. Early in her professional career, she captured the WBO Super Flyweight title and has remained undefeated since. Related Stories Amazon to Hike Fee for Prime Video Ad-Free Tier to $5 per Month in U.S., on Top of Prime Membership Hrithik Roshan's HRX Films, Prime Video Team for Comedy 'Mess' (EXCLUSIVE) “Women’s boxing in Japan still struggles for attention and recognition. There are times when it feels like we are invisible,” said Hiruta in a statement. “That is why this documentary means so much to me. It feels like a gentle light during difficult moments. It feels like someone is walking beside me – not trying to change me, but simply seeing me. Through this film, I don’t feel alone. I feel like we are chasing this dream together.” Popular on Variety Hiruta discovered the sport in her mid-teens after stepping into a boxing gym at her high school. She later joined the Japan Self-Defense Forces – Japan’s de facto military – to continue training, and in 2021 began representing Japan in amateur competitions. She turned pro and in 2023, she began training in Los Angeles with renowned coach Manny Robles. Los Angeles-based producer and director Dowd is best known for his SXSW-premiering documentary “Mr. Jimmy,” which follows the life of a Japanese salesman obsessed with anything related to Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. “I’ve spent the past half-decade immersed in the boxing world shooting pieces for ‘Top Rank Boxing’ on ESPN,” Dowd said in a statement. “This film draws on that knowledge combined with my experiences with Japanese culture to make something as authentic as possible. Mizuki is an iconic superstar in the making. She’s an incredibly strong woman making her way in the rough and tumble ‘man’s world’ of boxing, and this film offers an unflinching look into everything she’s overcome to achieve stardom.” Jump to Comments Thailand’s M Studio Bows ‘God Skin’ and More High-Octane Action and Horror Films at Hong Kong FilMart (EXCLUSIVE) As Disney CEO Bob Iger Steps Aside, a Look at His Tenure as a Dynamic, Transformative Leader — With an Asterisk or Two American Film Institute Unveils Participants for 2026 Cinematography Intensive ‘Mystery Science Theater 3000’ RiffTrax Revival Kickstarter Raises Nearly $2.7 Million Miley Cyrus Sings ‘Best of Both Worlds’ and ‘The Climb’ as Hannah Montana and Has Emotional Reunion With Parents in 20th Anniversary Special Trailer ‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Hudson Williams Among Six to Recur in Netflix FTX Series ‘The Altruists’ JavaScript is required to load the comments. Loading comments...