The press conference to announce the 25th edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) was held today, on September 20th (Thursday) at Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. The press conference opened with a welcoming address from Hideyuki Takai (President, UNIJAPAN) and Tom Yoda (Chairman, TIFF & TIFFCOM). Director Tetsuaki Matsue and TIFF Ambassador Atsuko Maeda were also in attendance as special guests.
The press conference included the announcement of the fifteen films in the Competition Section. Also announced were members of the International Jury including President of Jury, Roger Corman. Representing the films of the Competition Section, director Tetsuaki Matsue from “Flashback Memories 3D” took the microphone to share his enthusiasm for the film festival and shared a few behind the scenes stories from the making of his film.
A total of 1,332 titles from 91 countries and regions were submitted to TIFF this year. In addition to the films in the Competition Section, a total of around 300 films will be screened during the film festival.
Notes and Quotes from the Press Conference
Hideyuki Takai (President, UNIJAPAN)
Film is an universal language spoken and understood around the world. The winner of last year’s Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix “Untouchable” went on to global success, and is enjoying great popularity in Japan today. Film festivals like TIFF are a valuable forum for international cultural exchange. I hope that films and film festivals will continue to promote greater global exchange of culture, business and exchanges between filmmakers. I wish to express my gratitude to our sponsors, media and film lovers for your support.
Tom Yoda (Chairman of TIFF & TIFFCOM)
For many years, TIFF has selected outstanding international films to share with a large audience. Five years ago, the festival received 668 entries. This year, that number has grown to 1,332 films. Submitting countries and regions have likewise grown from 70 to 91 this year. We are enthused about making the 25th Tokyo International Film Festival even more powerful to meet high expectations.
Guest Speaker from the film “Flashback Memories 3D” (Competition Section)
Tetsuaki Matsue (Director)
“Flashback Memories 3D” is only a very small film, made slowly over the course of the last year. In previous years, my films were selected for the “Japanese Eyes” section, but I’m delighted to be taking part in the main competition this year. After the disaster in March last year, watching (Japanese musician) GOMA and seeing his journal entries helped restore some of my courage. I think the film can only really be ‘completed’ when people watch and interact with it. In that sense, I don’t regard my film has been completed yet. The TIFF has given me a chance to share the film with many audience. I hope many people will come see my film to help ‘complete’ it.
TIFF Ambassador, Atsuko Maeda (Actress)
Atsuko Maeda (AM): Congratulations to the Tokyo International Film Festival on its 25th edition. I’m very honored to have been appointed as TIFF Ambassador this year.
Q:Miss Maeda, as TIFF Ambassador, your role is to help bring the many films of the TIFF to an even larger number of viewers. Would you please tell us HOW YOU FEEL being selected for the role?
AM:I’m quite nervous. The role of ambassador is very important, and Tokyo International Film Festival has been running since before I was born. But I really love film, so I’m very much looking forward to contributing.
Q:As a young actress, what sort of actress do you aspire to be?
AM: I’ve been blessed with a truly fantastic starting point here. I want to become an actress with the versatility to play any role, and an actress that directors are eager to work with.
