Tokyo Film Festival director plans to reassess its global standing before 40th edition

Left · 2Tokyo International Film Festival director Hisamatsu Takeo said the festival will review its 39th edition once it ends and reassess where it stands on the international circuit before its 40th anniversary next year. 1 2 Left · 1Hisamatsu told Variety that the process would help define the festival's course for the next decade, up to its 50th edition. This year's festival has grown to 204 films, up from 184 last year. 1 Left · 2He said Tokyo is seen as competing with the Busan International Film Festival, which is close geographically and in its dates. He told Variety the time had come to re-examine where Tokyo should position itself within Asia and the world. He told The Hollywood Reporter that Asia makes up about 40 percent of the global box office and that the two events could work together to showcase Asian cinema. 1 2

Left · 1Hisamatsu returned to lead the festival this year after Hiroyasu Ando, a diplomat who had been chairman since 2019, abruptly stepped down. Hisamatsu had been festival director from 2017 to 2021, and he declined to discuss the reasons for his departure and return. The Hollywood Reporter said Ando had moved the festival to Ginza and Hibiya, reshuffled programming staff and revived the Kurosawa Akira Award. 2 Left · 2Hisamatsu argues the moment favours Japanese cinema. He cited Japan's status as Country of Honor at the Cannes Film Market, more than 30 Japanese films at the Busan festival, government support for the content industry, and Oscar wins for Drive My Car and Godzilla Minus One. The Hollywood Reporter added that Japan's 2025 box office reached a record ¥274.5 billion ($1.8 billion). 1 2 Left · 2To act on this, the festival made Nippon Cinema Now, its Japanese cinema showcase, a competitive section for the first time, with two new awards. It also launched the TIFF Work-in-Progress program (TIFF-WIP), which links Japanese films still in production with international festivals and industry figures. Hisamatsu also wants UniJapan, the festival's organiser, to work more closely with its TIFFCOM market and its promotion programs. 1 2

Left · 1Hisamatsu told The Hollywood Reporter the festival needs more money, because the weaker yen and inflation mean the budget for hosting filmmakers and talent goes less far. He is optimistic the government will raise its support before the 40th edition, but said the festival is also seeking more sponsors. 2 Left · 1He also wants a more festive atmosphere with more parties, and wants Japanese studios to host events as Korean studios do at Busan. Toho held its first invitation-only "Toho Izakaya Night" this year. The other major studios were not ready in time, and he hopes they will be by the 40th edition. 2 Left · 1Variety noted that this year's marquee slots lean towards mainstream entertainment, unlike the arthouse programming Tokyo is better known for. Zeze Takahisa's "Sukiyaki" opens the festival, Yamazaki Takashi's "Godzilla Minus Zero" is the centerpiece and Yeon Sang-ho's "Colony" closes it. Hisamatsu said the films were chosen on individual merit and not as a deliberate shift in the festival's identity. 1