This year marks the 31st 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, it has grown to become one of the biggest 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 emerging 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 premieres 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 1,829 submissions from 109 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 part of the Japan Content Showcase 2018, the TIFFCOM content market will be held Oct. 22-25. Last year, TIFFCOM hosted 371 exhibitors and more than 1,549 buyers from around the world, becoming the most active film/TV/anime/music market in Asia. TIFF has a very strong alliance with the market, allowing the festival to provide a platform in Tokyo for networking with representatives of the world‘s film industries, developing international co-productions, and promoting the global film business.