This year marks the 32nd edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), the only Japanese film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF).* TIFF started in 1985 as Japan’s first major film festival. Since then, TIFF has grown to become one of the leading film festivals in Asia. TIFF seeks out excellent films from around the world and brings them to Tokyo, where filmmakers and film fans can enjoy them, meet young filmmakers, and be inspired.

*The International Federation of FILM Producers Associations (FIAPF) is an international organization that oversees issues related to the film industry and international film festivals.

Over the ten days of the festival, films from a variety of genres will be shown in several sections. One film from the Competition section, a carefully chosen selection of premiere films by talented first-timers and recognized directors, will be awarded the Tokyo Grand Prix. The Competition section is garnering considerable attention from world filmmakers. This year, there were 1,804 submissions from 115 countries and regions. The 24th winner of the Grand Prix was Untouchable (France), which later set a world record for attendance for a French language film and was a long-running hit in Japan.

Since its inception, the Tokyo International Film Festival has been dedicated to discovering and cultivating new talent, and has contributed to the careers of countless international filmmakers. Past award winners include such directors as Michel Hazanavicius, whose 2011 film The Artist won five Academy Awards, and Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu, who went on to win Academy Awards for Best Director for two consecutive years with Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) in 2015 and The Revenant in 2016. Koji Fukada, whose work has also been featured several times in the festival, received the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival with Harmonium.

During the festival, film fans of all ages gather in Tokyo to enjoy TIFF’s many colorful events every year. These include seminars, symposiums and workshops for students, professionals, and business people. TIFF also holds interactive programs to promote discussions and business networking.

As a part of “Japan Content Showcase 2019”, TIFFCOM, the multi-content market will be held Oct.22 -24. Last year, TIFFCOM hosted 382 exhibitors, highest recorded ever, and more than 800 buyers from 44 countries and regions around the world, becoming the most attractive market in Asia. The very strong alliance with the market is a characteristic of Tokyo International Film Festival. TIFF provides a platform in Tokyo for networking with the world film industries, developing international co-productions, and promoting the global film business.