Introduction of New Initiatives at Tokyo International Film Festival
The Tokyo International Film Festival, scheduled for October 26 to November 4, is introducing several exciting new features this year. These include the introduction of two new awards in its Nippon Cinema Now section and the inauguration of the prestigious Kashiko Kawakita Award, which is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of women in the film industry.
Revamped Crosscut Asia Section
The festival is reintroducing its Crosscut Asia section, now revamped as Crosscut Asia+, which will showcase a variety of films including Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana, Kamila Andini’s Four Seasons in Java, and Polen Ly’s Becoming Human, among others.
New Awards to Spotlight Japanese Talent
The Nippon Cinema Now section will now feature two new awards: Best Film and the Special Jury Prize. These awards are aimed at providing enhanced support for emerging Japanese filmmakers. The selection process will be enriched by the involvement of both international and Japanese jurors, ensuring a diverse and global evaluation.
TIFF Festival Director Takeo Hisamatsu expressed his enthusiasm about the new competition, stating, “By launching these awards, we aim to spotlight outstanding Japanese filmmakers and introduce them to an international audience. We hope to inspire filmmakers to pursue further challenges and help propel them onto the global stage. The Tokyo International Film Festival is committed to nurturing new talent and fostering growth within the Japanese film industry.”
Kashiko Kawakita Award to Honor Women in Cinema
The Kashiko Kawakita Award, established by the Kawakita Memorial Film Institute, honors the legacy of Madame Kawakita Kashiko, a pioneering woman in cinema who played a crucial role in promoting cross-cultural film exchanges between Japan and Europe. Her efforts before and after World War II were instrumental in introducing European cinema to Japan and in the preservation of Japanese cinematic heritage, including her foundational work with the Japan Film Library Council and the National Film Archive of Japan.
The inaugural recipient of this award is renowned film critic Hata Sahoko, who has been pivotal in introducing significant French films to Japan, including works like Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless and René Clément’s Purple Noon. The award presentation will be a highlight of TIFF’s Women’s Empowerment section.
Reflecting on Madame Kawakita’s impact, Sahoko noted, “Her legacy is not just a part of film history but also a significant chapter in the history of women in the industry. She once shared with me the challenges women face, and it’s this shared experience that motivates me to accept and honor this award.”
Crosscut Asia+ and Its Expanded Focus
In collaboration with the Japan Foundation, the Tokyo International Film Festival is relaunching the Crosscut Asia section as Crosscut Asia+. This initiative continues to promote Southeast Asian cinema. The section is curated by Indonesia’s Raslene, Japan’s Ueda Masayuki, and advised by Markus Nornes. It will include panel discussions organized by the curators.
Alongside films like Filipiñana, Four Seasons in Java, and Becoming Human, Crosscut Asia+ will feature Bachtiar Siagian’s 1957 film Turang, Daniel Hui’s Small Hours of the Night (2024) from Singapore, and Hafiz Rancajale’s Behind The Flickering Light: The Archive (2013) from Indonesia.
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