The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has signed up the first raft of members for its environmental initiative, the Green Carpet Club (GCC), including Jon Voight, John Woo, Fernando Meirelles and Julianne Moore.

European Film Market director Beki Probst, pictured here at the Japan Night party with TIFF chairman Tom Yoda, is also a member along with Pusan director Kim Dong-ho, FIAPF’s Benoit Ginisty and Le Public Systeme Cinema president Lionel Chouchan.

Open to filmmakers and film industry figures, the GCC aims to promote activities that will help preserve the environment, raise awareness of ecological issues and raise funds that will be donated to organisations with green initiatives.

Last year’s TIFF featured a green carpet and screenings powered by green energy which Yoda says was so well received by the industry that the fest decided to expand the concept into the GCC.

“We had the idea to bring together people who love films and are also concerned about the environment to raise awareness on a global scale,” Yoda told Screen.

This year’s TIFF runs Oct 17-25 while the TIFFCOM market runs Oct 20-22. Yoda said the market has already attracted a 30% increase in registrations compared to same time last year.

The two events take place as part of the month-long Japan International Contents Festival – CoFesta – covering film, TV, anime, manga, music and video games.

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