The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is planning a range of special programmes to celebrate its 25th edition which is taking place this year (Oct 20-29).

These include screenings of Japanese classics, an anniversary catalogue and a new festival slogan. The festival is also planning to host preview screenings, for both the industry and public, of upcoming titles from the US and Japanese studios’ release slates.  

“We’re also working to bring the younger generation back to cinemas through special offers on ticket prices and marketing programmes,” said TIFF chairman Tom Yoda.

Yoda also explained the reasoning behind moving contents market TIFFCOM (Oct 23-25) from the festival’s Roppongi Hills venue to the Grand Pacific Le Daiba complex on the man-made island of Odaiba.

“The new venue gives us 20% more space for the market to expand; a one-stop market-place with sales booths, screenings and seminars all on the same floor, and a more relaxing environment on Tokyo Bay,” Yoda said.  

The festival will provide shuttle buses between the market and the festival venue at Roppongi Hills which is a 20-minute drive away. Odaiba is also 20 minutes from Haneda airport and 70 minutes from Narita airport, and also accessible by Tokyo’s train system.

TIFFCOM’s Mika Morishita said the market was still deciding on the format of this year’s projects market, which last year was divided into sections for established filmmakers and new talent.

Yoda added that the number of exhibitors at last year’s TIFFCOM increased by 15%, despite the earthquake and nuclear disaster that struck Japan earlier in the year.

He also said that the Hong Kong and Chinese film industries had collectively donated $80,000 (RMB500,000) to TIFF’s Arigato project, which is working towards the relief effort in Japan. TIFF plans to hold an event at the upcoming Hong Kong Filmart to thank the Chinese industry for its help.

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