The lineup for the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) was unveiled at a press conference held on September 25 at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya BASE Q HALL, just a month before the festival’s start. Festival Navigator Rinko Kikuchi took the stage alongside Japanese directors Akiko Ooku, Daihachi Yoshida, and Shinzo Katayama, whose films will compete in the festival. Also present was director Yu Irie, the focus of this year’s Nippon Cinema Now special feature.
The 10-day festival will run from October 28 to November 6 across the Hibiya, Yurakucho, Marunouchi, and Ginza districts. A highlight will be the opening red carpet on Hibiya Nakadori Avenue. TIFFCOM, a business content market held in conjunction with the festival, will take place from October 30 to November 1.
Chairman Hiroyasu Ando emphasized three core pillars for this year: international exchange, human resource development, and support for women in film. He noted the launch of a special “Women’s Empowerment” section and a new lounge in Midtown Hibiya aimed at fostering dialogue and collaboration among filmmakers.
Rinko Kikuchi’s Role as Festival Navigator
Kikuchi, honored to be part of the prestigious event, spoke about her deep connection to film and her pride in representing Japan’s top film festival. She highlighted the unique appeal of TIFF, which takes place in the heart of Tokyo and attracts global attention with its vibrant setting.
Competition Films and Directors’ Reflections
Programming Director Shozo Ichiyama introduced 15 films competing in this year’s festival, spotlighting three Japanese entries: Katayama’s “Desire in the Rain”, Ooku’s “The Sky I Love the Most Today, But I Still Can’t Say It”, and Yoshida’s “Enemy”. The directors expressed their excitement and shared personal stories about the significance of TIFF in their careers.
Special Focus on Women’s Empowerment
The newly established Women’s Empowerment section was presented by Senior Programmer Andrijana Cvetkovic, showcasing films that explore themes of female empowerment and identity across diverse cultures.
The 37th Tokyo International Film Festival promises to showcase a lineup of 200 films over its 10-day run, offering a diverse range of cinematic experiences.
