The Tokyo International Film Festival has officially announced its lineup, confirming its position as Japan’s premier cinematic celebration. As it gears up for its 37th edition, set to commence on October 28, the festival will feature an impressive collection of 110 films, culminating ten days later with the conclusion on November 6.
The event kicks off with the world premiere of Kazuya Shiraishi’s thrilling jidaigeki action film, “11 Rebels,” and will wrap up with a closing night presentation of Christophe Honoré’s witty comedy, “Marcello Mio.” This year’s International Competition will be chaired by the iconic Hong Kong actor Tony Leung, and it will showcase fifteen films, including the debuts of Yang Lina’s “Big World,” Philip Yung’s “Papa,” and Sergio Graciano’s “The Englishman’s Papers.”
A significant highlight is the Asian Future section, which is dedicated to ten world premieres from a diverse range of emerging talent across Asia, representing countries such as Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, Afghanistan, and China. Additionally, the festival introduces a fresh Women’s Empowerment segment, showcasing nine films created by female directors including 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 a treasure trove in the animation category, featuring offerings like Chris Sanders’ “The Wild Robot,” Kuno Yoko and Yamashita Nobuhiro’s “Ghost Cat Anzu,” Adam Elliot’s “Memoir of a Snail,” and a restored 4K version of Masuda Toshio’s classic “Space Battleship Yamato” from 1977. Another significant feature is Nippon Cinema Now, which will present 12 films that explore emerging trends in Japanese cinema.
The festival will also host gala presentations of notable films such as Audrey Diwan’s “Emmanuelle,” Marielle Heller’s “Nightbitch,” and Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain.” Attendees can enrich their experience further by participating in masterclasses led by esteemed filmmakers like Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Sammo Hung, alongside a symposium devoted to the artistry of renowned Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr.
Little White Lies will be on-site to provide coverage of this monumental cinematic event, so viewers should stay tuned for the latest updates. Mark your calendars for the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival, taking place in the vibrant Hibiya-Yurakucho-Marunouchi-Ginza area from October 28 to November 6.