A brisk autumn rain failed to dissuade the multitude of fans who gathered in Tokyo’s Hibiya district for the opening night of the Tokyo International Film Festival. The event commenced with a rain-soaked red carpet appearance from luminaries such as Shōgun star Tadanobu Asano, Last Samurai Standing lead Junichi Okada, multi-talented Kento Nakajima, actress Mei Nagano, and Takumi Kitamura, the star of Yu Yu Hakusho.
With umbrellas in hand, both stars and filmmakers navigated the downpour, making the best of the challenging weather. Macedonian director Milcho Manchevski, who was at the festival with his competition film Sister Brother Manhole Cover, cleverly used a replica manhole cover to shield himself from the rain. He elaborated on its symbolism, remarking, “Manhole covers keep society’s dirt hidden, and they are what our protagonists steal in the film.”
While local talent dominated the red carpet, Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, also graced the event alongside Meredith Shea, the organization’s chief membership, impact, and industry officer. When inquired about his message to Japanese film enthusiasts, Kramer’s response was straightforward: “Go and support your filmmakers. Go to the cinema.”
Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett is anticipated to attend the festival later in the week, while Kramer will feature in several events, including a public discussion alongside Toho CEO Hiro Matsuoka. This legendary Japanese studio is prominently backing this year’s festival, with the highly anticipated Godzilla Minus Zero scheduled for a special screening as the centerpiece film on November 1.
The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival runs from October 26 to November 4 and showcases an expanded lineup of 204 films from 112 countries and regions, featuring 35 world premieres. Screenings will be primarily concentrated in Tokyo’s Ginza district, and TIFFCOM, the festival’s accompanying content market, will take place from October 28 to 30 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center in Hamamatsucho.
The opening ceremony unfolded at the Hulic Hall Tokyo, where pop star-turned-actor Kento Nakajima served as the evening’s host and official “navigator.” This event marked the return of seasoned industry veteran Takeo Hisamatsu as festival director following the recent departure of former chairman Hiroyasu Ando. Reflecting on his nearly fifty years in the film industry across various genres and regions, Hisamatsu declared the festival officially open with enthusiasm.
During the ceremony, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a video message emphasizing the unifying power of cinema across cultures. She noted that these exchanges open new corridors for dialogue and pledged support for Japan’s growing entertainment and intellectual property sectors, aiming to boost overseas content sales to 20 trillion yen ($130 billion) by 2033.
Similarly, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Ryosei Akazawa, pointed out the expanding global appeal of Japanese entertainment, highlighting Godzilla Minus Zero as a prime example of homegrown intellectual property, along with the nation’s popular manga and character-driven content that has found international success.
Australian filmmaker Rolf de Heer, who leads the festival’s main competition jury this year, honored the lasting impact of Japanese cinema on the global filmmaking community. Other jury members include producer Alex Lo, actress Makiko Watanabe, and international film colorist Yov Moor.
The evening’s opening film was the music biopic Sukiyaki, directed by Takahisa Zeze, which touches on the creation of the renowned pop song “Ue o Muite Arukō,” also known as “Sukiyaki.” The film stars Okada as the composer Hachidai Nakamura and tells the story of the creative partnership that led to this beloved musical piece’s rise.
The festival’s competition includes 15 films vying for the Tokyo Grand Prix, including noteworthy titles such as Iranian-Kurdish director Bahman Ghobadi’s Trees Are Watching and Indonesian director Garin Nugroho’s historical drama Red Before Dawn. Hisamatsu aims to enhance the festival’s entertainment focus while still prioritizing independent and international cinema.
Prominent initiatives introduced this year include competitive awards for Nippon Cinema Now to amplify contemporary Japanese filmmaking’s visibility and the launch of CROSSCUT ASIA+, promoting cinema from Southeast Asia.
The festival is set to award its annual Kurosawa Akira Awards to Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof and Japanese director Mipo O, both recognized for their impactful narratives. Additionally, the first Kashiko Kawakita Award will honor Japanese film critic Sahoko Hata for her contributions to the film culture.
Blanchett’s highly anticipated visit will revolve around the Japanese premieres of five short films funded by the Displacement Film Fund, alongside a public dialogue with Rasoulof and Afghan filmmaker Shahrbanoo Sadat. She will also receive Japan’s prestigious Praemium Imperiale award during her trip.
The Academy will maintain a strong presence at the festival, with Kramer, Shea, and Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor participating in discussions about the Oscars’ expanding international role.
Other programming highlights include a masterclass with filmmaker Wayne Wang and retrospectives celebrating the works of German auteur Ulrike Ottinger and Japanese master Kenji Mizoguchi. The festival will also showcase high-profile films like Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine and Cristian Mungiu’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner, Fjord.
The festival is set to conclude on November 4 with the screening of Korean filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho’s thrilling new film Colony.
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Tokyo Film Fest Kicks Off With Japanese Stars, Godzilla Anticipation
