Introduction to the Tokyo International Film Festival
The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to address several key issues in the film industry, including the imbalance in the industry and the promotion of future talents. According to Hiroyasu Ando, the Festival Chairman, these issues will be in the spotlight at the upcoming edition of the festival.
Combating Gender Issues
One of the main elements that the festival will address is combating gender issues in the film industry. This section, which will return for a second year, will comprise seven films and three panels where filmmakers and women’s film festivals will be discussed. Andrijana Cvetkovikj, who programmed the section, stated that "today digital cinema and AI change our industry and create new tools for underrepresented voices, but the general gender balance in the film industry has not shifted." The goal of this section is to open doors, build partnerships, and create rooms where women can support and look after each other, and ultimately have their voices heard, respected, and celebrated as an essential part of global cinema.
Promoting Future Creative Talents
Another priority of the festival is to promote future creative talents by organizing a short film competition with work from film schools in Japan and Asia. This new section, entitled Asian Student Film Conference, replaces the Amazon Prime Video Take One Award as TIFF’s section focusing on upcoming talents. The festival aims to provide a platform for young and aspiring filmmakers to showcase their work and gain recognition in the industry.
Improving the Festival’s Tiff Lounge
The festival will also improve its Tiff Lounge, which was started in 2020 to organize discussions between leading Asian filmmakers. This year, the experienced filmmaker Yoji Yamada will be in conversation with Lee Sang-il, director of the cash register box "Hello" and a recipient of this year’s honorary Kurosawa Akira Award. Yamada’s "Tokyo taxi" will play as the heart of the festival and mark the 91st feature from the director. The festival will increase the chances of networking in addition to these discussions and will organize parties of various sizes, including the first official final party for five years.
Special Guests and Screenings
The festival will also feature special guests, including US author/director Paul Schrader, who is expected to attend with his 1985 feature "Mishima: A life in four chapters". This film, a fictional portrait of the recognized Japanese author and dramatist Mishima Yukio, has never been released in Japan. The festival will provide a unique opportunity for audiences to see this classic film on the big screen and to learn from the experiences of renowned filmmakers.
Conclusion
The Tokyo International Film Festival is set to be an exciting and thought-provoking event, with a focus on addressing key issues in the film industry and promoting future creative talents. With its diverse range of films, discussions, and networking opportunities, the festival is sure to be a highlight of the cinematic calendar. As Ando stated in his opening speech, "we want to contribute to harmony with conflicts around the world by deepening the understanding of the cinema." The festival is a celebration of the power of film to bring people together and to inspire positive change.
