Organizers of the 2023 Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) have announced an unprecedented variety of special programs and screenings for its upcoming 36th edition, running from October 23 – November 1. Among the principal highlights of the 36th TIFF will be special screenings and events to commemorate the 120th anniversary of legendary Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu’s birth. The Nippon Cinema Now section will also spotlight the work of Hideo Jojo.
Of particular interest: The 36th TIFF will highlight a revitalized Animation section. Until 2022, the festival exclusively screened Japanese films in the “Japanese Animation” section, showcasing domestic works for global audiences. But this year, the renamed Animation section will be feature an expanded collection of not only Japanese but also internationally acclaimed animated works.
Themed “Intersection of Visions,” the lineup showcases nine films. In addition, the retrospective “International Film Festivals and Directors” reintroduces audiences to three films that have won awards at international film festivals. Two symposiums, “Possibilities of Animation Expression” and “Portrayal of Youth in Animation” will also be held, with directors taking the stage to discuss their works.
The Animation section includes:
International Films
Art College 1994 by Liu Jian (2023, China)
Chicken for Linda! by Chiara Malta, Sébastien Laudenbach (2023, France) [Read more.]
Deep Sea by Tian Xiaopeng (2023, China)
Robot Dreams by Pablo Berger (2023, Spain/France)
Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light by Filip Pošivač (2023, Czech Republic/Slovakia/Hungary)
Japanese Films
Blue Giant by Yuzuru Tachikawa (2023)
The Concierge by Yoshimi Itazu (Japan release date: October 20)
Komada – A Whisky Family by Masayuki Yoshihara (Japan release date: November 10)
Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Keiichi Hara (2022) [Read more.]
International Film Festivals & Directors Retrospective
In This Corner of the World by Sunao Katabuchi (2019)
Lu Over the Wall by Masaaki Yuasa (2017)
On-Gaku: Our Sound by Kenji Iwaisawa (2019)
More details of the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival program available at 2023.tiff-jp.net. Tickets go on sale October 14.