Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The 36th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) will run from October 23 to November 1 with German filmmaker Wim Wenders taking the position of Jury President under the theme of “To amplify the possibilities of cinema from Tokyo and contribute to interactions with a diverse world.”

Wenders said he was looking forward to the event, especially as it is celebrating the 120th anniversary of OZU Yasujiro: “I’m excited to be back at the Tokyo International Film Festival. I only have the best memories of my first jury presence and the jury members from that time are still in touch, still calling each other ‘Claudie-san,’ and ‘Paul-san’ and ‘Wim-san.’ For this festival happening 60 years after the death and therefore 120 years after Ozu’s birthday, my declared master, makes the occasion very special to me.”

Japan and Tokyo are proud of their movie history and this year’s festival aims to showcase the culture and diversity that Tokyo reflects.

In its promotional material, TIFF clearly states its vision: “The words ‘possibilities of cinema’ encompass the opportunities to create new films, ranging from arthouse to blockbuster, the prospect of breakthroughs that transform life, culture or the world, and the chance to carry on the legacy of the past (classic films), to embrace the diversity of today (the latest films), and to pioneer the future (ambitious films).”

“In the hope that the films will highlight all the colors of the world, ‘diverse world’ means that we will transcend all boundaries of country, race, gender, religion, language, values or beliefs within and beyond Japan, and even beyond the boundaries between filmmakers and audiences.”

Among the many prizes, the Festival will present the following awards: Tokyo Grand Prix, The Governor of Tokyo Award, Special Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Artistic Contribution, Audience Award and the Asian Future Best Film Award.

There will be 149 entries from 15 countries and territories in the Middle East out of a total of 1,942 entries.

The Programming Director is ICHIYAMA Shozo, who has worked with Shochiku Co., Ltd., and Office Kitano Inc., as well as many international films.

The International Competition Jury will consist of Spanish Director Albert Serra, Japanese producer MIZUE Kunizane, Vietnamese producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, and Chinese actress and producer Zhao Tao.

TIFF is hosted by UNIJAPAN (the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival Executive Committee) and co-hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, The Japan Foundation and Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Also involved are the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japan Tourism Agency, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the National Film Archive of Japan, Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan, Inc., and the Federation of Japanese Films Industry, Inc.