Tokyo International Film Festival is adding three new initiatives ahead of its 39th edition – competition prizes for Japanese films, an honorary award for women in cinema and a section highlighting features from Southeast Asia.
The long-running Nippon Cinema Now section, focussed on contemporary Japanese film, will introduce two awards that include best film and a special jury prize. The prizes have been created to provide stronger support for undiscovered Japanese talent and highlight their work on a global stage. The jury will comprise both Japanese and international industry figures.
“By serving as a platform for emerging talent to take flight, the Tokyo International Film Festival aims to contribute to the growth and development of the Japanese film industry, said TIFF festival director Takeo Hisamatsu.
The festival, due to run October 26 to November 4, has also introduced the Kashiko Kawakita Award to honour women in cinema and selected acclaimed film critic Sahoko Hata has the inaugural recipient. Hata was instrumental in purchasing and bringing landmark French films to Japan such as À Bout de Souffle, Plein Soleil and Mon Oncle, and has spent decades as a journalist and critic.
Established by the Kawakita Memorial Film Institute, the award aims to honour individuals who have advanced film culture both in Japan and internationally. The recipient is selected by an all-female committee, with the presentation held as part of TIFF’s Women’s Empowerment section.
The festival is also launching Crosscut Asia+, a new section highlighting contemporary and classic Southeast Asian cinema.
The first selection, chosen by programmers from both the region and Japan, comprises six titles: Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana, Kamila Andini’s Four Seasons In Java, and Polen Ly’s Becoming Human alongside Bachtiar Siagian’s 1957 feature Turang, Daniel Hui’s 2024 drama Small Hours Of The Night, and Hafiz Rancajale’s 2013 documentary Behind The Flickering Light: The Archive.
It is a joint initiative with the Japan Foundation and carries forward the mission of Crosscut Asia, a section that was presented by the Japan Foundation Asia Centre from 2014-19.
Programmed by Japan’s Masayuki Ueda and Jakarta-based film programmer and visual artist Raslene, it aims to spotlight titles and initiatives from across Southeast Asian nations trough both screenings and panel discussions. Academic, programmer and filmmaker Markus Nornes is also on board as advisor.
The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival is set to take place from October 26-November 4 with market TIFFCOM scheduled to run parallel from October 28-30.
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