Tokyo Film Festival Launches Women’s Empowerment Section

As a seasoned cinema enthusiast who has traversed the globe to immerse myself in the rich tapestry of global film culture, I am thrilled to witness the Tokyo International Film Festival taking a bold step forward in championing gender equality and women’s empowerment within its ranks. Having attended numerous festivals across Asia, Europe, and North America, I can attest to the transformative power of cinema in shattering stereotypes and amplifying diverse voices.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that this year, I’ll be witnessing history at the Tokyo International Film Festival. For the first time ever, they’re introducing a Women’s Empowerment section, a testament to their commitment towards gender equality in cinema. Additionally, we’ll get to appreciate the masterful works of director Irie Yu, showcased under their Nippon Cinema Now strand. Can’t wait!

Asian film festivals have historically been less proactive than their North American and European counterparts when it comes to incorporating diversity, fairness, and inclusivity into their organizational frameworks and selections. However, in 2021, the Tokyo festival made history as the first Asian film festival to join forces with Collectif 50/50, an international advocacy group dedicated to fostering gender equality within the film industry.

The festival announces that the Women’s Empowerment segment will propel TIFF even more in addressing gender matters, honoring women’s accomplishments, and broadening the scope of cinematic possibilities for the future.

This event, named Women’s Empowerment, is being jointly organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan government. It aims to showcase a selection of seven films, either directed by women or with a focus on women, during its inaugural year.

Andrijana Cvetkovikj, who was once the Macedonian Ambassador to Japan and a former jury member of the Amazon Prime Video Take One Award at the 34th TIFF in 2021, has been appointed as the Senior Programmer for Women’s Empowerment.

Over the past few years, screen portrayals have been predominantly shaped by a male viewpoint, leaving out a rich tapestry of experiences. But thanks to advancements in digital technology, filmmaking has become more inclusive, resulting in a significant increase in female directors, scriptwriters, and main characters. This year’s Tokyo International Film Festival is showcasing these new voices, honoring their unique narratives and the impact they’re making on cinema, as stated by Cvetkovikj.

In addition to the films screened, the section will host a symposium and screening talk sessions.

The current event, known as the Nippon Cinema Now, is considered crucial by Tokyo programmers for showcasing recent Japanese films to international attendees. This year’s lineup includes five movies directed by Irie: “8000 Miles: SR Saitama’s Rapper” (2009), its sequel “8000 Miles 2: Girls Rapper” (2010), “Roadside Fugitive” (2012), “The Sun” (2016), and his most recent work, “A Girl Named Ann,” which was released in 2024.

“Tokyo IFF programmer Ichiyama Shozo stated, ‘Irie Yu’s continuous creation of captivating films, whether they be independent or major studio productions, positions him as a vital influencer in the development of Japanese cinema. His latest work, ‘A Girl Named Ann,’ which is a notable achievement in his career, inspired us to put together this feature. Our goal is not only to honor his past successes, but also to help establish his international acclaim.'”

The festival is scheduled from October 28th to November 6th, with the TIFFCOM rights market taking place from October 30th to November 1st, 2024. Most of the festival’s program will be revealed towards the end of September.

2024-08-30 07:48

Tokyo Film Festival Launches Women’s Empowerment Section

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