TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL JAPAN 2011 Roll out the green carpet


The devastation caused by the March earthquake and tsunami shocked the world — but the Tokyo International Film Festival will be rolling out its green carpet as usual in October. Jean Noh looks at how the country’s biggest fi lm-industry event is shaping up for its 24th edition


TIFF green carpet: environmental concerns are central to the event D


espite the devastation wrought by an unprecedented national disas- ter, the Japanese fi lm industry is


getting back to business in Tokyo, where advanced architecture and high- tech infrastructure has largely ensured the physical safety of the city’s inhabit- ants amid the initial earthquake and aftershocks. “There are still very serious issues


in eastern Japan, so I can’t say it’s back to normal for them yet. But for the fi lm companies in Tokyo, it is back to normal. Living in Tokyo, we don’t feel the effect of the radiation levels,” says Tom Yoda, chairman of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) and entertainment industry vet- eran. He is also the chairman of Gaga Communications. “Overall, the situation is on the


mend. Of course, there was a drastic shortfall in March at the box offi ce, and some major films postponed release right after March 11. But going into the latter part of this year, I don’t think business will be stalling.” It is certainly business as usual at


TIFF, Japan’s leading international fi lm festival. The 24th edition runs from October 22-30 in the Roppongi Hills complex, while the multi-content enter- tainment business market TIFFCOM runs parallel, from October 24-26.


‘I hope people from all over the


“We would like to express our sincere


appreciation to all our industry friends all over the world who sent lots of con- tributions, condolences and goodwill,” Yoda continues. “Tokyo is alright and TIFF and TIFFCOM are moving for- ward very positively. In October, I hope people from all over the world will come to enjoy the most beautiful Japa- nese season of fall with us.”


world will come’ Tom Yoda, Tokyo International Film Festival


Platform for premieres TIFF plays a unique role as a launch pad for fi lms into the Japanese market, as well as for Asian titles into the inter- national arena. Last year, the event clocked up 41,862 admissions for 275 screenings — up from 41,771 for 270 films the previous year. The festival opened with The Social Network and screened a range of world premieres including Chinese director Zhang Meng’s family drama The Piano In A Factory, Sketches Of Kaitan City by Japanese director Kazuyoshi Kumakiri and Turkish director Belma Bas’ com- ing-of-age drama Zephyr. These world premieres, along with


other titles such as the Chinese film Buddha Mountain and Japanese titles Hospitalité, Fit and Birthright, subse- quently went on to play at festivals such as Rotterdam, Berlin and New York’s New Directors/New Films.


A big advantage of TIFF for Japanese distributors is that they can see how for- eign titles play to local audiences during the festival. What’s more, TIFF subtitles world-cinema titles into Japanese — an advantage for sellers that they generally do not have at other major festivals. This can obviously help films in attracting Japanese distributors, and deals are made out of TIFF. For example, the French-language Second World War drama Sarah’s Key, starring Kristin Scott Thomas, picked up the best director and audience awards at TIFF last year and secured local distribution through Gaga. The film is scheduled for release in Japan later this year. Publicity generated at TIFF can also


feed into marketing campaigns, a boost which is often badly needed in a terri- tory dominated by large multimedia campaigns for local commercial and Hollywood fi lms. For example, Sketches Of Kaitan City was boosted by its TIFF premiere a few weeks prior to its Japa- nese release in December 2010. “It was a smash-hit in arthouse theatres,” says TIFF programming director Yoshi Yat- abe. “It was listed among the best Japa- nese fi lms of 2010 by many fi lm media.” As in past editions, this year’s compe-


tition section will showcase works by up-and-coming fi lm-makers, as well as premieres of titles by world-famous


May 2011 Screen International 5 n »


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