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(l-r) ‘Ghost – End Of Night’ director Shingo Natsume, actor Takahashi Issei, actress Mayu Hotta
Tokyo International <a href="https://cinemamix360.com/2026/10/26/centre-film-festival-celebrates-filmmaking-with-options-for-variety-of-audiences/” title=”Centre Film Festival celebrates filmmaking with options for variety of audiences”>Film Festival (TIFF) opened its 39th edition on Monday (October 26) with an outpouring of support from Japan’s prime minister and a downpour of rain on a raft of local stars.
Around 270 filmmakers, actors and industry from Japan and overseas assembled in Tokyo’s Hibiya district to walk a rain-soaked red carpet ahead of an opening ceremony at the city’s Hulic Hall.
The evening, hosted by actor, singer and festival “navigator” Kento Nakajimi, included a video message from Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi.
“Film has the power to connect people’s hearts across countries and regions, and to deepen understanding of diverse cultures and values,” she said, outlining the government’s ambition to support the international expansion of Japan’s creative industries.
Takaichi reiterated a target of increasing overseas sales of Japanese content to $127bn (¥20tn) by 2033, with film, animation, manga and other intellectual property positioned as growth sectors. The plans include greater public-private investment in domestic production and measures to attract international shoots to Japan.
Japan’s economy, trade and industry minister Ryosei Akazawa also sent a video message to spotlight the export potential of Japanese entertainment, pointing to the international popularity of established franchises and the commercial opportunities created by growing global interest in Japanese storytelling.
He cited the Kingdom franchise, of which the latest has grossed more than $38m (¥6bn) to date and Godzilla Minus Zero, Takashi Yamazaki’s sequel to the Oscar-winning monster feature, which will screen as TIFF’s centrepiece on November 1.
Akazawa’s ministry has called for $1.6bn (¥250bn) in the 2027 budget to bolster investment in the content industry.
TIFF is set to run for 10 days until November 4, with 204 films from 112 countries and regions screening across Tokyo’s Hibiya, Yurakucho, Marunouchi and Ginza districts.
Festival director Takeo Hisamatsu, who has returned to the helm after previously stepping down from the role in 2021, formally declaring the event open.
“I’ve been in the film industry for nearly 50 years — in live-action, anime, documentaries; in Japan, the US, Africa and, across multiple genres,” Hisamatsu told the audience. “Looking back, I feel that this has been such a wonderful and enjoyable ride.”
Hisamatsu’s return to the festival leadership marks a renewed emphasis on balancing mainstream entertainment with international discovery, while strengthening the circulation of Japanese films and filmmakers beyond local markets.
Festival navigator Nakajima offered a positive take on the downpour, describing it as “a blessing of rain” that would help cinema’s future flourish.
The opening film, Takahisa Zeze’s musical drama Sukiyaki, received its world premiere, with stars Junichi Okada, Tori Matsuzaka and Nana Seino joining the director at the event. The film recounts the story behind a Japanese song that became an international sensation
Okada described the screening as a significant opportunity, calling the film one that “embodies the best of cinema”. Zeze, meanwhile, emphasised the historical backdrop of post-war Japan and the characters’ reflections on peace.
“Through this film, I hope this festival, too, can become a festival of peace,” the director said.
Also on the red carpet was Shōgun star Tadanobu Asano and Last Samurai Standing actor Junichi Okada.
Among the international guests were veteran Indonesian director Garin Nugroho and actor Nicholas Saputra, in town with their Competition title Red Before Dawn; Belgium-based director Teodora Ana Mihai and actor Violet Braeckman (Heysel 85); Macedonian director Milcho Manchevski and actors Sara Klimoska and Filip Trajkovikj (Sister Brother Manhole Cover); Chinese director Qiu Jiongjiong and actors Wang Hi and Xue Xuchun (Fuxi: Four Tales of Feasting); actors Sunshine Teodoro and Nour Hooshmand of the Philippine film Filipiñana; Iranian Kurdish director Bahman Ghobadi with actors Murat Yildirim and Iman Yildirim (Trees Are Watching); Kazakh director Azamat Shargyn (Shyrmauyq); and Japan-based Taiwanese star Judy Ongg (Sunshine Women’s Choir).
A delegation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences included CEO Bill Kramer; chief membership, impact and industry officer Meredith Shea; Amy Homma, director and president of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Academy Collection; Jennifer Davidson, chief marketing, communications and content officer, and Jenny Galante, chief revenue and business development fficer. Kramer is on his first visit to Asia and will be part of a special programme titled Academy in Tokyo.
Further Japanese talent included Yukino Kishii, star of Cannes selection All the Lovers in the Night, with director Yukiko Sode; actor Lily Franky (Diary of a Mad Old Man); actor Mayu Matsuoka and director Yukiko Mishima (Two Cigarettes, Three Nights); actors Natsuki Deguchi and Takumi Kitamura with director Ryutaro Nakagawa (Your Story – Kimi No Hanashi); actors Mei Nagano and Kentaro Ito with director Hidemitsu Miyamoto (The Night Queen of Himachi); actor Hayato Isomura; director Sabu (Arrested Memory) with actors Reika Kirishima and Huang Guan-zhi; actor Sairi Ito and director Yoshiro Nagikawa (The Tiger and Her Wings – The Movie); cult director Shinichiro Ueda and actor Shinsuke Kato (Earthlings in Love); actors Takahiro Miura, Kiki Sugino and Yusaku Mori with director Norio Enomoto (What We Call Happiness); and director Miki Tanaka (silver express) with emerging star Yui Okamoto and cinematographer Kohei Tatsutomi.
Taking to the stage at the opening ceremony was this year’s Competition jury, including Australian filmmaker and jury president Rolf de Heer. His speech paid tribute to the influence of Japanese cinema – “consciously and subconsciously” – on filmmakers worldwide.
“An actor, a colourist, a producer, a director: we’re all filmmakers,” he said, reflecting on the shared experience of the jury members. He recalled the lasting impression made by Japanese masters including Yasujiro Ozu, Nagisa Oshima and Akira Kurosawa.
“It’s a privilege for us to work as a jury in the land of those masters,” de Heer added.
The Competition comprises 15 films, including seven world premieres, while the wider programme spans international features, contemporary Japanese cinema and regional showcases.
TIFFCOM, the content market affiliated with TIFF, runs from October 28-30.
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