The Tokyo International Film Festival is back, and it’s set to impress with its extensive lineup. With 110 films scheduled for its 37th edition, the festival kicks off on October 28, featuring the world premiere of Kazuya Shiraishi’s thrilling period drama, 11 Rebels, and wraps up ten days later with the closing film, Marcello Mio, a lively comedy from Christophe Honoré.
Tony Leung, the celebrated Hong Kong talent, will take on the role of president for the International Competition Jury, which will showcase fifteen competing films, including the world premieres of Yang Lina’s Big World, Philip Yung’s Papa, and Sergio Graciano’s The Englishman’s Papers.
The festival also shines a spotlight on emerging talent through its Asian Future strand, presenting 10 world premieres from ground-breaking filmmakers from countries such as Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, Afghanistan, and China. A notable addition this year is the Women’s Empowerment strand, highlighting nine films crafted by female directors, featuring titles like Eva Trobisch’s Ivo, Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha’s My Favourite Cake, and Tamura Naoki’s Doctor-X the Movie.
Animation fans will find delights in a variety of films, including Chris Sanders’ The Wild Robot, Kuno Yoko and Yamashita Nobuhiro’s Ghost Cat Anzu, Adam Elliot’s Memoir of a Snail, and a restored version of Masuda Toshio’s 1977 classic, Space Battleship Yamato. For those interested in the current state of Japanese cinema, the Nippon Cinema Now section will spotlight emerging trends through 12 selected titles.
Additionally, the festival will feature gala screenings such as Audrey Diwan’s Emmanuelle, Marielle Heller’s Nightbitch, and Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain. Attendees can also look forward to masterclasses with film legends like Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Sammo Hung, along with a symposium dedicated to the work of the iconic Hungarian filmmaker, Béla Tarr.
Expect Little White Lies to be on the ground bringing you live coverage from this celebratory event in cinema. Mark your calendars: the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival runs from October 28 to November 6, set against the vibrant backdrop of the Hibiya-Yurakucho-Marunouchi-Ginza area.