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TIFF Adds New Awards, Spotlights Women & SE Asia
7 Sep
Summary
- TIFF introduces new competitive awards for Japanese cinema.
- A new section will focus on Southeast Asian films and programmers.
- The Kawakita Kashiko Award will honor women in film culture.
The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival, scheduled from October 26 to November 4, 2026, is set to launch several new initiatives. A newly established Nippon Cinema Now section will feature competitive awards, including Best Film and a Special Jury Prize, designed to support and promote Japanese filmmakers on an international stage.
Furthermore, the festival will introduce Crosscut Asia+, a new section developed with the Japan Foundation. This initiative continues the focus on Southeast Asian cinema, pairing programmers from Japan and the region to curate a lineup around shared themes, starting with 'Side by Side.'
The festival is also establishing the Kawakita Kashiko Award to celebrate women's contributions to film culture, both in Japan and globally. This award honors the legacy of Kawakita Kashiko and will be presented within TIFF's Women's Empowerment section. Film critic Hata Sahoko has been named the inaugural recipient of this prestigious award.
