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Former diplomat Ando Hiroyasu has lofty goals as chairman of Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) and a vision of how to raise the profile of Japan’s premiere celebration of cinema. But with a realpolitik perspective perhaps partly forged in his four-decade diplomatic career, he is under no illusions as to the scale of the challenges he faces to take the festival to the next level.
After becoming chairman in 2019, Ando shared the management duties with then festival director Takeo Hisamatsu until the former took sole charge last year, with Japan still largely closed to foreign visitors.
“After two years of being impacted by the pandemic, things are finally going back to normal this year, and the government is also lifting border restrictions this month, October. So, we would like this to be something of a new start for the festival,” Ando tells The Hollywood Reporter.
Former diplomat Ando Hiroyasu has lofty goals as chairman of Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) and a vision of how to raise the profile of Japan’s premiere celebration of cinema. But with a realpolitik perspective perhaps partly forged in his four-decade diplomatic career, he is under no illusions as to the scale of the challenges he faces to take the festival to the next level.
After becoming chairman in 2019, Ando shared the management duties with then festival director Takeo Hisamatsu until the former took sole charge last year, with Japan still largely closed to foreign visitors.
“After two years of being impacted by the pandemic, things are finally going back to normal this year, and the government is also lifting border restrictions this month, October. So, we would like this to be something of a new start for the festival,” Ando tells The Hollywood Reporter.
- 10/24/2022
- by Gavin J Blair
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tokyo International Film Festival chairman Hiroyasu Ando is finally free to make some of the big changes he believes will revitalize Japan’s oldest cinema event.
A career diplomat who spent over 40 years in Japan’s Foreign Service, Ando joined the Tokyo festival in the new role of chairman midway through 2019. But the pandemic threw a wrench into his early ambitions to shake up the festival last year, and the event’s outgoing former director, Takeo Hisamatsu, still retained operation control over many of the event’s functions.
In 2021, Ando sits alone at the top of the Tokyo ...
A career diplomat who spent over 40 years in Japan’s Foreign Service, Ando joined the Tokyo festival in the new role of chairman midway through 2019. But the pandemic threw a wrench into his early ambitions to shake up the festival last year, and the event’s outgoing former director, Takeo Hisamatsu, still retained operation control over many of the event’s functions.
In 2021, Ando sits alone at the top of the Tokyo ...
- 10/30/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tokyo International Film Festival chairman Hiroyasu Ando is finally free to make some of the big changes he believes will revitalize Japan’s oldest cinema event.
A career diplomat who spent over 40 years in Japan’s Foreign Service, Ando joined the Tokyo festival in the new role of chairman midway through 2019. But the pandemic threw a wrench into his early ambitions to shake up the festival last year, and the event’s outgoing former director, Takeo Hisamatsu, still retained operation control over many of the event’s functions.
In 2021, Ando sits alone at the top of the Tokyo ...
A career diplomat who spent over 40 years in Japan’s Foreign Service, Ando joined the Tokyo festival in the new role of chairman midway through 2019. But the pandemic threw a wrench into his early ambitions to shake up the festival last year, and the event’s outgoing former director, Takeo Hisamatsu, still retained operation control over many of the event’s functions.
In 2021, Ando sits alone at the top of the Tokyo ...
- 10/30/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Exclusive: 108 Media, the production, finance and distribution company headquartered in Toronto and London, has boarded Noriko Yuasa’s upcoming Japanese tragicomedy Performing Kaoru’s Funeral.
The company will act as a co-producer on the project and will also handle worldwide sales, including at the upcoming Busan International Film Festival. Casting is in the process.
Directed by Yuasa (Coming Back Sunny), the pic tells the story of Jun Yokotani, bound by obligations of death to honour his estranged ex-wife Kaoru’s passing before he can begin life anew. Completely incompatible, Yokotani and Kaoru’s daughter (also named Kaoru) must change their lives completely as they try to create a new family while performing Kaoru’s funeral.
Takato Nishi wrote he screenplay. Mika Shimoeda is producing, with Takeo Hisamatsu of MyWay Movies co-producing. Filming will begin in January 2022 in Japan and will last four weeks.
Yuasa said, “This project focuses on...
The company will act as a co-producer on the project and will also handle worldwide sales, including at the upcoming Busan International Film Festival. Casting is in the process.
Directed by Yuasa (Coming Back Sunny), the pic tells the story of Jun Yokotani, bound by obligations of death to honour his estranged ex-wife Kaoru’s passing before he can begin life anew. Completely incompatible, Yokotani and Kaoru’s daughter (also named Kaoru) must change their lives completely as they try to create a new family while performing Kaoru’s funeral.
Takato Nishi wrote he screenplay. Mika Shimoeda is producing, with Takeo Hisamatsu of MyWay Movies co-producing. Filming will begin in January 2022 in Japan and will last four weeks.
Yuasa said, “This project focuses on...
- 10/14/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
TIFF will also become the first Asian film festival to sign Collectif 50/50’s Gender Parity Pledge.
Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced a raft of changes for this year’s edition (October 30-November 8), including a change of venue and the appointment of Shozo Ichiyama as programming head.
The 34th TIFF will be shift its main venue to the Hibiya-Ginza area from Roppongi, which was the main site of the festival since 2004. The area has many cinemas and other facilities and has also been the main venue of Tokyo Filmex, with which TIFF started to establish closer links last year.
Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced a raft of changes for this year’s edition (October 30-November 8), including a change of venue and the appointment of Shozo Ichiyama as programming head.
The 34th TIFF will be shift its main venue to the Hibiya-Ginza area from Roppongi, which was the main site of the festival since 2004. The area has many cinemas and other facilities and has also been the main venue of Tokyo Filmex, with which TIFF started to establish closer links last year.
- 3/15/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
New section introduced in response to Covid-19 travel restrictions will screen 32 films of which 25 are world premieres.
Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the full line-up for its 33rd edition, including the 32 titles selected for its Tokyo Premiere section, introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions.
Unlike many major festivals this year, TIFF will be going forward with in-person screenings at its usual venues, but has replaced three of its major sections – Competition, Asian Future and Japanese Cinema Splash – with the new Tokyo Premiere section.
The section, which includes 25 world premieres, “has a large focus on supporting young filmmakers,...
Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the full line-up for its 33rd edition, including the 32 titles selected for its Tokyo Premiere section, introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions.
Unlike many major festivals this year, TIFF will be going forward with in-person screenings at its usual venues, but has replaced three of its major sections – Competition, Asian Future and Japanese Cinema Splash – with the new Tokyo Premiere section.
The section, which includes 25 world premieres, “has a large focus on supporting young filmmakers,...
- 9/29/2020
- by Matt Schley
- ScreenDaily
Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal, co-founders of the Tribeca Film Festival, joined an online roundtable conversation Thursday about the future of the festival circuit as organizers navigate through Covid-19.
The duo, along with YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl and fest officials from Toronto, Tokyo, Sarajevo and Mumbai discussed preparations for the We Are One Film Festival. The online event backed by 21 festivals starts Friday and runs through June 7, with a selection of features, shorts, talks and performances streaming for free on YouTube. The hour-long conversation also addressed the role of festivals in helping communities on the arduous road to recovery as theaters gradually reopen and social gatherings tentatively resume.
“This is a lot different from 9/11, obviously,” De Niro said when asked to compare the pandemic with the terrorist attacks that happened just months before Tribeca’s first edition in 2002. “We’re in it for we don’t know how long.
The duo, along with YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl and fest officials from Toronto, Tokyo, Sarajevo and Mumbai discussed preparations for the We Are One Film Festival. The online event backed by 21 festivals starts Friday and runs through June 7, with a selection of features, shorts, talks and performances streaming for free on YouTube. The hour-long conversation also addressed the role of festivals in helping communities on the arduous road to recovery as theaters gradually reopen and social gatherings tentatively resume.
“This is a lot different from 9/11, obviously,” De Niro said when asked to compare the pandemic with the terrorist attacks that happened just months before Tribeca’s first edition in 2002. “We’re in it for we don’t know how long.
- 5/28/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Festival and market will be held at the same time and in venues that are walking distance from each other.
Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) and its accompanying market, Tiffcom, will take place at the same time this year and in adjacent venues.
The 33rd Tiff will take place for ten days from October 31 (Saturday) until November 9 (Monday) at its usual venues in Roppongi Hills, the Hibiya area and other venues in Tokyo.
Tiffcom will be held for three days from November 4 (Wednesday) until November 6 (Friday) at a new venue, The Prince Park Tower Tokyo. Roppongi Hills and Prince Park...
Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) and its accompanying market, Tiffcom, will take place at the same time this year and in adjacent venues.
The 33rd Tiff will take place for ten days from October 31 (Saturday) until November 9 (Monday) at its usual venues in Roppongi Hills, the Hibiya area and other venues in Tokyo.
Tiffcom will be held for three days from November 4 (Wednesday) until November 6 (Friday) at a new venue, The Prince Park Tower Tokyo. Roppongi Hills and Prince Park...
- 2/6/2020
- by 89¦Liz Shackleton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
With the international interest in Japan piqued by recent events such as the coronation of the new Emperor Naruhito and the ongoing Rugby World Cup, and with the 2020 Olympics looming large on the horizon, the Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) decided to lean into Japanese films and animation for its 32nd edition.
The festival, which runs until Nov. 5, opened with Tora-san, Wish You Were Here, the 50th entry in Yoji Yamada's thoroughly Japanese Otoko wa Tsurai yo series, has several gala screenings of Japanese films on the program, and perhaps most important made a commitment to boost Japanese animation ...
The festival, which runs until Nov. 5, opened with Tora-san, Wish You Were Here, the 50th entry in Yoji Yamada's thoroughly Japanese Otoko wa Tsurai yo series, has several gala screenings of Japanese films on the program, and perhaps most important made a commitment to boost Japanese animation ...
- 10/29/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Jury president Zhang Ziyi said the festival would be a “very special prenatal education” for her unborn baby.
The 32nd edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) got underway on Monday night (October 28) with the focus firmly on Japanese cinema and culture.
Despite the challenges of Typhoon Hagibis and subsequent heavy rain, Tokyo is currently awash with international visitors for the Rugby World Cup and is also gearing up for next year’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Last week, the city hosted international dignatories for the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito and the start of the Reiwa Era.
Amidst all these events,...
The 32nd edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) got underway on Monday night (October 28) with the focus firmly on Japanese cinema and culture.
Despite the challenges of Typhoon Hagibis and subsequent heavy rain, Tokyo is currently awash with international visitors for the Rugby World Cup and is also gearing up for next year’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Last week, the city hosted international dignatories for the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito and the start of the Reiwa Era.
Amidst all these events,...
- 10/29/2019
- by 89¦Liz Shackleton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Unfolding while Japan simultaneously hosts the Rugby World Cup, recovers from the recent Typhoon Hagibis, and prepares for the upcoming Olympic Games, the 32nd edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival got under way Monday, with a strong sense of Japanese tradition and heightened conservatism compared with previous years.
That feeling was reinforced by last week’s enthronement of a new Emperor, which launched the beginning of the new Reiwa Era, and by the five-woman, kimono-clad ensemble that welcomed guests at Roppongi’s Grand Hyatt Hotel with traditional shamisen, flutes and drums.
The Reiwa Era means: “A new era for Japan and Japanese films,” said festival director Takeo Hisamatsu from the stage. “We have built the program to present the best of Japanese films to the world.”
This year the festival debuts a new section on Japanese animation, as well as a focus on Nobuhiko Obayashi, a pioneering experimental filmmaker...
That feeling was reinforced by last week’s enthronement of a new Emperor, which launched the beginning of the new Reiwa Era, and by the five-woman, kimono-clad ensemble that welcomed guests at Roppongi’s Grand Hyatt Hotel with traditional shamisen, flutes and drums.
The Reiwa Era means: “A new era for Japan and Japanese films,” said festival director Takeo Hisamatsu from the stage. “We have built the program to present the best of Japanese films to the world.”
This year the festival debuts a new section on Japanese animation, as well as a focus on Nobuhiko Obayashi, a pioneering experimental filmmaker...
- 10/28/2019
- by Mark Schilling and Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Under Takeo Hisamatsu, the Tokyo International Film Festival has expanded its animation section, this year making it one of the event’s main pillars. But he says that the time is not right for a focus on Kyoto Animation, the beloved production house where 36 people died this summer, the victims of an unprecedented arson attack.
“We talked about it. But the company was reluctant. They are not mentally ready. Not yet recovered,” said Hisamatsu. “It will definitely happen at some point. And maybe something spontaneous could happen on the red carpet this week.” But for now there are other forces at play.
The coronation of the new Emperor, the ongoing Rugby World Cup and next year’s Olympic Games are all putting Japan in the spotlight. The festival also has its part to play, the former studio executive believes.
Hisamatsu says that the festival is keen to recognize the importance of animation,...
“We talked about it. But the company was reluctant. They are not mentally ready. Not yet recovered,” said Hisamatsu. “It will definitely happen at some point. And maybe something spontaneous could happen on the red carpet this week.” But for now there are other forces at play.
The coronation of the new Emperor, the ongoing Rugby World Cup and next year’s Olympic Games are all putting Japan in the spotlight. The festival also has its part to play, the former studio executive believes.
Hisamatsu says that the festival is keen to recognize the importance of animation,...
- 10/27/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Tokyo International Film Festival runs Oct 28-Nov 5, whilst three-day industry strand Tiffcom kicks earlier on Oct 22.
Browse Screen’s digital edition of the Tokyo supplement, which covers the Tokyo International Film Festival, and three-day industry strand Tiffcom (Oct 22-24), which kicks off earlier than the festival this year because of Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement.
The edition includes a focus on the animation sector which is set for its own dedicated section in 2019, an interview with festival director Takeo Hisamatsu, and a spotlight on Southeast Asian horror and sci-fi.
Click Here To Read The Digital Edition...
Browse Screen’s digital edition of the Tokyo supplement, which covers the Tokyo International Film Festival, and three-day industry strand Tiffcom (Oct 22-24), which kicks off earlier than the festival this year because of Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement.
The edition includes a focus on the animation sector which is set for its own dedicated section in 2019, an interview with festival director Takeo Hisamatsu, and a spotlight on Southeast Asian horror and sci-fi.
Click Here To Read The Digital Edition...
- 10/22/2019
- ScreenDaily
Competition to screen 14 titles including the world premieres of Japanese films Tezuka’s Barbara and A Beloved Wife.
Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) has announced the full line-up for its 32nd edition, including the 14 titles selected for its International Competition.
In addition to previously announced Japanese titles Tezuka’s Barbara from Macoto Tezka and Shin Adachi’s A Beloved Wife, the competition will screen five other world premieres including Chinese director Wang Rui’s Chaogtu With Sarula, Food For A Funeral from Turkey’s Reis Celik and Uncle from Danish director Frelle Petersen.
Asia premieres in this section include Jayro...
Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) has announced the full line-up for its 32nd edition, including the 14 titles selected for its International Competition.
In addition to previously announced Japanese titles Tezuka’s Barbara from Macoto Tezka and Shin Adachi’s A Beloved Wife, the competition will screen five other world premieres including Chinese director Wang Rui’s Chaogtu With Sarula, Food For A Funeral from Turkey’s Reis Celik and Uncle from Danish director Frelle Petersen.
Asia premieres in this section include Jayro...
- 9/26/2019
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
The Grand Prix was bestowed upon Marko Škop’s drama at the up-and-coming Kazakh gathering, while Maryam Touzani received the Best Director Award for Adam. The fresh-faced and dynamic Almaty Film Festival has wrapped after a successful seven-day run (14-20 September), and ended on Friday night with the awards ceremony, which was held at the Palace of the Republic in Kazakhstan’s largest city. The triumphant film of the night was Marko Škop’s Let There Be Light, which won the Grand Prix in the Official Selection, focused on films that were co-produced by at least two countries. The prizes were dished out by the International Jury, headed up by British director-producer Hugh Hudson, and comprising Russian producer Natalya Ivanova, Portuguese producer António Costa Valente, president of the Tokyo International Film Festival Takeo Hisamatsu and Kazakh actress Samal Yeslyamova. The Best Director Award went to Maryam Touzani’s feature debut,...
“Welcome Back, Tora-san,” by veteran director Yoji Yamada, has been set as the opening title of this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival. The title is a 50th anniversary instalment in the long-running “It’s Tough Being a Man” film franchise.
The “It’s Tough Being a Man” (aka “Otoko wa Tsurai yo”) films follow the travels of a kind-hearted vagabond, Torajiro Kuruma (aka Tora-san) who is always unlucky in love. Each film features a different leading lady, called a Madonna, and a different region of Japan.
There were 49 previous “Tora-san” movies, with the last appearing in 1995. “It was always very exciting to anticipate the latest work in this series every summer and New Year holiday. The ‘Tora-san’ series was a nationwide favorite, and looking back, it also captures the history of popular actresses in Japan,” said Tokyo festival director Takeo Hisamatsu.
The new film focuses on Tora-san’s nephew Mitsuo,...
The “It’s Tough Being a Man” (aka “Otoko wa Tsurai yo”) films follow the travels of a kind-hearted vagabond, Torajiro Kuruma (aka Tora-san) who is always unlucky in love. Each film features a different leading lady, called a Madonna, and a different region of Japan.
There were 49 previous “Tora-san” movies, with the last appearing in 1995. “It was always very exciting to anticipate the latest work in this series every summer and New Year holiday. The ‘Tora-san’ series was a nationwide favorite, and looking back, it also captures the history of popular actresses in Japan,” said Tokyo festival director Takeo Hisamatsu.
The new film focuses on Tora-san’s nephew Mitsuo,...
- 7/11/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi will be president of the main competition jury at this year's Tokyo International Film Festival, the fest announced Wednesday in Cannes.
Tiff director Takeo Hisamatsu called Ziyi "one of the leading actresses in the world" and said her performance in legendary Japanese director Seijun Suzuki's final film Princess Raccoon (2005) had "earned her many Japanese fans."
Zhang recalled her first trip to Tokyo with her first feature, Zhang Yimou's The Road Home (1999), which went on to win a Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. "I was immensely touched ...
Tiff director Takeo Hisamatsu called Ziyi "one of the leading actresses in the world" and said her performance in legendary Japanese director Seijun Suzuki's final film Princess Raccoon (2005) had "earned her many Japanese fans."
Zhang recalled her first trip to Tokyo with her first feature, Zhang Yimou's The Road Home (1999), which went on to win a Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. "I was immensely touched ...
- 5/22/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi will be president of the main competition jury at this year's Tokyo International Film Festival, the fest announced Wednesday in Cannes.
Tiff director Takeo Hisamatsu called Ziyi "one of the leading actresses in the world" and said her performance in legendary Japanese director Seijun Suzuki's final film Princess Raccoon (2005) had "earned her many Japanese fans."
Zhang recalled her first trip to Tokyo with her first feature, Zhang Yimou's The Road Home (1999), which went on to win a Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. "I was immensely touched ...
Tiff director Takeo Hisamatsu called Ziyi "one of the leading actresses in the world" and said her performance in legendary Japanese director Seijun Suzuki's final film Princess Raccoon (2005) had "earned her many Japanese fans."
Zhang recalled her first trip to Tokyo with her first feature, Zhang Yimou's The Road Home (1999), which went on to win a Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. "I was immensely touched ...
- 5/22/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
This year’s Tiff will take place October 28 to November 5 at Roppongi Hills, Ex Theater and other venues in Tokyo.
Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi will serve as president of the International Competition jury at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff).
Tiff announced the news at the on-going Cannes film festival, where Zhang has been invited to present a master class.
Zhang made her feature debut in Zhang Yimou’s The Road Home, which won a Berlin Silver Bear in 2000, and also has credits including Zhang’s Hero and House Of Flying Daggers, Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden...
Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi will serve as president of the International Competition jury at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff).
Tiff announced the news at the on-going Cannes film festival, where Zhang has been invited to present a master class.
Zhang made her feature debut in Zhang Yimou’s The Road Home, which won a Berlin Silver Bear in 2000, and also has credits including Zhang’s Hero and House Of Flying Daggers, Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden...
- 5/22/2019
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Steady as the beating drums of Drum Tao band whose members proved to be as fast as the lightning storm they brewed at the opening ceremony held in X-Theatre, Tokyo International Tokyo International Film Festival 2018 has to offer one of the most enlightened and enriched programs (almost 200 films beeing screened) ever conceived in its long run of 31 years history.
‘We find ourselves in the rapidly expanding era of digitalization and globalization, but at the same time we must not forget about the true values of film entertainment’ – with these words Mr. Hirai Takuya, Minister of State for “Cool Japan” Strategy and Intellectual Property, opened his speech at the Opening Ceremony.
Soon after, Mr. Ryohei Mirata – Commissioner for Cultural Affairs echoed his words by citing Ken Takakura who once said that movies are beyond borders and languages, they have the power to transform living sadness into hope and courage. ‘We have...
‘We find ourselves in the rapidly expanding era of digitalization and globalization, but at the same time we must not forget about the true values of film entertainment’ – with these words Mr. Hirai Takuya, Minister of State for “Cool Japan” Strategy and Intellectual Property, opened his speech at the Opening Ceremony.
Soon after, Mr. Ryohei Mirata – Commissioner for Cultural Affairs echoed his words by citing Ken Takakura who once said that movies are beyond borders and languages, they have the power to transform living sadness into hope and courage. ‘We have...
- 10/30/2018
- by Nikodem Karolak
- AsianMoviePulse
Calls for greater female representation and advancement are being made loudly in the West, and latterly in Japan. The Tokyo International Film Festival claims to be listening.
Major film festivals have long been male-dominated, with relatively few women among the top ranks of festival directors, programmers and, in the competition sections, filmmakers.
Tokyo is no exception: All of its directors as well as nearly all of its head programmers have been men since its start in 1985. Women filmmakers have appeared in its competition and other major sections, but the gender balance on this year’s program still skews heavily male.
Tiff director Takeo Hisamatsu voices his support for women’s participation in both the festival but the industry as a whole. “I have been seeking out the views of both my female staff and industry professionals,” he says. “It’s an issue of deep concern to me and I am...
Major film festivals have long been male-dominated, with relatively few women among the top ranks of festival directors, programmers and, in the competition sections, filmmakers.
Tokyo is no exception: All of its directors as well as nearly all of its head programmers have been men since its start in 1985. Women filmmakers have appeared in its competition and other major sections, but the gender balance on this year’s program still skews heavily male.
Tiff director Takeo Hisamatsu voices his support for women’s participation in both the festival but the industry as a whole. “I have been seeking out the views of both my female staff and industry professionals,” he says. “It’s an issue of deep concern to me and I am...
- 10/26/2018
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Takeo Hisamatsu, a four-decade veteran of the Japanese film industry, is a relative newcomer at the helm of the Tokyo International Film Festival, entering his second year as the event's director.
After putting his imprint on Japan's premier cinema event during its 30th anniversary edition last year, the former Shochiku and Warner Bros. executive describes 2018 as a year of strengthening the event's core programs rather than remaking the wheel.
This year's fest, running Thursday through Nov. 2, features 10 world premieres in its two main competition sections, among hundreds of other films screened at three major ...
After putting his imprint on Japan's premier cinema event during its 30th anniversary edition last year, the former Shochiku and Warner Bros. executive describes 2018 as a year of strengthening the event's core programs rather than remaking the wheel.
This year's fest, running Thursday through Nov. 2, features 10 world premieres in its two main competition sections, among hundreds of other films screened at three major ...
- 10/25/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Takeo Hisamatsu, a four-decade veteran of the Japanese film industry, is a relative newcomer at the helm of the Tokyo International Film Festival, entering his second year as the event's director.
After putting his imprint on Japan's premier cinema event during its 30th anniversary edition last year, the former Shochiku and Warner Bros. executive describes 2018 as a year of strengthening the event's core programs rather than remaking the wheel.
This year's fest, running Thursday through Nov. 2, features 10 world premieres in its two main competition sections, among hundreds of other films screened at three major ...
After putting his imprint on Japan's premier cinema event during its 30th anniversary edition last year, the former Shochiku and Warner Bros. executive describes 2018 as a year of strengthening the event's core programs rather than remaking the wheel.
This year's fest, running Thursday through Nov. 2, features 10 world premieres in its two main competition sections, among hundreds of other films screened at three major ...
- 10/25/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
With the start of his second edition as Tokyo International Film Festival director, Takeo Hisamatsu feels more confident of Tiff’s direction than when he assumed the post in March of last year. “The first thing I did when I took office was to clarify Tiff’s vision and organize programs and events based on that vision,” he told Variety.
“Our future direction is now clearer both to the public and within the festival organization. Also, based on the slogan ‘Entertainment and Art in Symmetry,’ we have added new programs such as the Midnight Film Festival, Tribute to the Musical, and Cinema Arena 30, a free open-air screening program. These have appealed to audiences and we have succeeded in increasing attendance.”
There is still room to strengthen the interactions with the film industry, Hisamatsu admits. “Undoubtedly the most important aspect of the festival is the strength of our programs, but events...
“Our future direction is now clearer both to the public and within the festival organization. Also, based on the slogan ‘Entertainment and Art in Symmetry,’ we have added new programs such as the Midnight Film Festival, Tribute to the Musical, and Cinema Arena 30, a free open-air screening program. These have appealed to audiences and we have succeeded in increasing attendance.”
There is still room to strengthen the interactions with the film industry, Hisamatsu admits. “Undoubtedly the most important aspect of the festival is the strength of our programs, but events...
- 10/25/2018
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Though its opening film is high-profile Hollywood romance “A Star is Born,” the Tokyo International Film Festival is increasingly focusing its efforts on building bridges with Asia. Especially Japan’s near neighbor, China.
The 31st edition of the Tokyo festival got under way Thursday evening with a ceremony at the X Theater in the fashionable Roppongi district. The event runs until Nov. 3.
“Star” is a smart crowd-pleasing choice as opener, with good prospects for the Oscars and other awards, down the road. But director-star Bradley Cooper and singing superstar, Lady Gaga, despite her massive popularity in Japan, were notable by their absence on the red carpet. Japanese actor Shinubo Terajima stood in at the ceremony as ambassador for the film and introduced a clip.
The last time Tiff had no big Hollywood guest for its opening or closing film was in 1992 — the fifth edition, when “1492: Conquest of Paradise” was the closing film.
The 31st edition of the Tokyo festival got under way Thursday evening with a ceremony at the X Theater in the fashionable Roppongi district. The event runs until Nov. 3.
“Star” is a smart crowd-pleasing choice as opener, with good prospects for the Oscars and other awards, down the road. But director-star Bradley Cooper and singing superstar, Lady Gaga, despite her massive popularity in Japan, were notable by their absence on the red carpet. Japanese actor Shinubo Terajima stood in at the ceremony as ambassador for the film and introduced a clip.
The last time Tiff had no big Hollywood guest for its opening or closing film was in 1992 — the fifth edition, when “1492: Conquest of Paradise” was the closing film.
- 10/25/2018
- by Patrick Frater and Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Total of 16 titles set for this year’s Competition line-up.
Tokyo International Film Festival has announced the 16 titles that will compete in its International Competition, including the world premieres of His Master’s Voice, from Hungary’s Gyorgy Palfi, Fruit Chan’s Three Husbands, Veit Helmer’s The Bra and Liu Hao’s The Poet.
Tiff’s competition line-up will also include the world premieres of two Japanese titles – Junji Sakamoto’s Another World and Rikiya Imaizumi’s Just Only Love (see full line-up below).
Leading Philippines filmmaker Brillante Ma Mendoza is heading this year’s Competition jury, which also comprises Us producer Bryan Burk,...
Tokyo International Film Festival has announced the 16 titles that will compete in its International Competition, including the world premieres of His Master’s Voice, from Hungary’s Gyorgy Palfi, Fruit Chan’s Three Husbands, Veit Helmer’s The Bra and Liu Hao’s The Poet.
Tiff’s competition line-up will also include the world premieres of two Japanese titles – Junji Sakamoto’s Another World and Rikiya Imaizumi’s Just Only Love (see full line-up below).
Leading Philippines filmmaker Brillante Ma Mendoza is heading this year’s Competition jury, which also comprises Us producer Bryan Burk,...
- 9/25/2018
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Tokyo International Film Festival (Tiff) director Takeo Hisamatsu dismissed the threat to cinema and film festivals from the growth of Netflix, Amazon and other streaming platforms, suggesting they were simply another platform, like television or home video.
"The issue of streaming became something of a topic at Cannes this year. At one time, films had to be seen in the cinema, but then they became viewable via various mediums, like video and television," said Hisamatsu. "Streaming is one more way to access films; in the future there will be various different platforms."
Hisamatsu, who took over running Tiff from April...
"The issue of streaming became something of a topic at Cannes this year. At one time, films had to be seen in the cinema, but then they became viewable via various mediums, like video and television," said Hisamatsu. "Streaming is one more way to access films; in the future there will be various different platforms."
Hisamatsu, who took over running Tiff from April...
- 10/26/2017
- by Gavin J. Blair
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Veteran Japanese film executive to head up festival, which will undergo several changes in 2017.
The Tokyo Film Festival has tapped up Takeo Hisamatsu (pictured) to head up the 30th edition of the festival later this year.
Hisamatsu, who was formerly an executive managing director at Shochiku Co. and deputy general manager of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, will replace outgoing Director General Yasushi Shiina, who held the top post at the Tokyo festival for four years.
With a nearly 40 year track record in the film business, Hisamatsu is currently the president of his own company My Way Movies.
In recent years, Hisamatsu has played a role in such productions as the 2013 Japanese remake of the Clint Eastwood western Unforgiven, Miwa Nishikawa’s 2009 comedy-drama Dear Doctor and Bushi No Ichibun, Yoji Yamada’s 2006 semi-prequel to Zatoichi.
“It is my hope that through this festival, we can continue to present films from around the world in all their diversity and richness...
The Tokyo Film Festival has tapped up Takeo Hisamatsu (pictured) to head up the 30th edition of the festival later this year.
Hisamatsu, who was formerly an executive managing director at Shochiku Co. and deputy general manager of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, will replace outgoing Director General Yasushi Shiina, who held the top post at the Tokyo festival for four years.
With a nearly 40 year track record in the film business, Hisamatsu is currently the president of his own company My Way Movies.
In recent years, Hisamatsu has played a role in such productions as the 2013 Japanese remake of the Clint Eastwood western Unforgiven, Miwa Nishikawa’s 2009 comedy-drama Dear Doctor and Bushi No Ichibun, Yoji Yamada’s 2006 semi-prequel to Zatoichi.
“It is my hope that through this festival, we can continue to present films from around the world in all their diversity and richness...
- 3/10/2017
- ScreenDaily
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