TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - TIFF

TOKYO

Japan | 2025

38th Tokyo IFF 10.27MON - 11.5WED 2025
Submit your film for the 38th TIFF
Early Bird Deadline: May 26th (JST), Regular Deadline: July 7th, Noon (JST)

2025.05.28東京国際映画祭 出品作品上映情報！
2025.05.12中学生を対象とした映画制作ワークショップ 「TIFFティーンズ映画教室2025」 参加者募集！！
2025.04.212025年 学生応援団 新メンバー決定！
2025.04.01第38回東京国際映画祭 作品エントリー開始！！【募集期間:4月1日(火) ～7月7日(月)】
2025.03.27フィリピン映画『ウリリは黒魔術の夢をみた』の大阪公開初日（4/12）上映アフタートークに石坂健治SPがオンライン登壇します！
2025.03.17アジア全域版アカデミー賞「第18回アジア・フィルム・アワード」受賞結果決定︕日本勢も受賞︕
2025.03.12第38回東京国際映画祭／TIFFCOM2025 開催日決定！！
2025.03.12第37回東京国際映画祭についてのアンケート結果（一部）
2025.03.07アジア全域版アカデミー賞「第18回アジア・フィルム・アワード」日本を代表する俳優・役所広司さん 第18回AFA「特別功労賞（Lifetime Achievement Award）」受賞
2025.02.28アジア・フィルム・アワード：AFA候補・関連作品の上映イベントAsian Cinerama＆AFAノミネート者によるトークイベントが開催、日本からもゲストが多数参加
2025.02.19アジア全域版アカデミー賞「第18回アジア・フィルム・アワード」Kōki,さんが「AFA Rising Star Award」受賞！

2025.05.12TIFF 2025: Teens Meet Cinema Workshop Details Announced; Director Oda Kaori to Be Lead Mentor
2025.04.01Film Submissions Open for the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival
2025.03.1718th Asian Film Awards Winners Announced
2025.03.12Dates Set for 38th Tokyo International Film Festival and TIFFCOM 2025
2025.03.12Audience survey at the 37th TIFF
2025.03.07Yakusho Koji to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 18th Asian Film Awards
2025.02.28The 18th Asian Film Awards: Featured Programs and Special Screenings Unveiled
2025.02.19The 18th Asian Film Awards: Japanese artist Kōki, to Receive AFA Rising Star Award
2025.01.28TIFF Official Selection at International Film Festivals
2025.01.10Nominations Announced for the 18th Film Awards. Seven Japanese films will compete with outstanding films from Asia
2025.01.0618th Asian Film Awards Appoints 5 Asian Stars as AFA Ambassador and Youth Ambassadors

The latest edition of this top-tier festival screened 169 films, an increase from 126 in 2021, and drew nearly 60,000 in admissions, nearly doubling the previous year. More than 50,000 people attended festival-related events.

Highlights included the presentation of the lifetime achievement award to 95-year-old director Nogami Teruyo, in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to Japanese film, which began when she worked as a script supervisor for Akira Kurosawa on Rashoman in 1950.

The festival is generous in hosting filmmakers in competition, who can win up to $35,000 in total prizes. It also offers one of the most towering and gorgeous trophies in the film world, created using Tokyo’s Edo Kiriko glass-cutting method.

REGULATIONS FOR COMPETITION 2025

FESTIVAL DATES: October 27th -November 5th, 2025

FOREWORD

The Tokyo International Film Festival (hereafter referred to as TIFF) regulations follow the regulations for International Film Festival provided by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). 

ARTICLE 1: Eligibility

All films selected and invited for the Competition section must meet the following conditions: 

(1) Must be films completed after January 1st, 2025.

(2) Must be at least its Japan Premieres at TIFF. World and International Premieres are given priority. Japanese films must be their World Premieres at TIFF.

* Films that are available on the Internet, TV (including IPTV) or in-flight movies, and films commercially released on DVD, VOD, or any other format are not eligible.

(3) Short films are not eligible. Must be feature films running over 60 minutes.
(4) Screening material should be in digital format in high-definition format, with English subtitles. 

* These conditions may be subject to change.
*All films submitted for the Competition section may be considered and invited to the other sections as well.
*Films submitted in the past will not be considered, in principle.


ARTICLE 2: Awards

For the main Competition section, TIFF will award the following prizes in accordance with the decision by the International Competition Jury. 

-Tokyo Grand Prix

-Special Jury Prize

-Award for Best Director

-Award for Best Actress

-Award for Best Actor

-Award for Best Artistic Contribution

*The cash prize is to be announced. 


ARTICLE 3: Entry for Pre-Selection

(1) Entry Form 

All films must register through the Festival's website (http://www.tiff-jp.net).

Those who are qualified according to the conditions of ARTICLE 1 hereinabove may apply by either submitting an online screener from the entry form or by sending a DVD.

*There is no need submit a film in more than one media. 

(2) Submission Peirod and Entry Fee

- Early Bird Submission:April 1st - May 26th, 2025 / 3,300JPY
- Regular Submission :May 27th- July 7th Noon JST, 2025 / 5,500 JPY

*We accept payment by credit card only.

*Once the submission fee is paid, it will not be refunded under any circumstances.

(3) Preview Screeners

Online Screeners or DVDs are accepted as preview screeners for pre-selection. All films must be submitted with English subtitles, excluding Japanese or English films.

*Online Screener: Fill in the online link on the entry form.
*Should be valid until the end of September.
*Screening links that require additional downloads or creating an account are not acceptable
*DVD Shipping: DVDs should be sent to the following address 

Tokyo International Film Festival: Film Submissions
15F Togeki Bldg., 4-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045 JAPAN
TEL: 81-3-6226-3011

DVDs must be shipped prepaid, insured, packed in proper containers, and received by TIFF no later than July 7th, 2025. The materials submitted to the festival will not be returned.

(4) Selection Result

The result of the Pre-Selection will be notified via e-mail in mid-September 2025.

(5) Submission Agreement

Participants are deemed to have fully understood and accepted all the regulations. Matters not covered by the regulations and any questions arising thereof will be resolved by the TIFF Organizing Committee in accordance with the regulations of the nternational Federation of Film Producers Associations.

ARTICLE 4: Selected Films

(1) Required Materials
Participants whose films have been selected are required to send the following materials to TIFF. 

(a) Entry Sheet (provided by TIFF)
(b) Dialogue lists in original-language and English Subtitle list, excluding Japanese spoken film.
(c) Digital Photo Data: main photo of the film, sub cuts of the film, and the director photo
(d) A file of the final version of the film with English subtitles.
(e) Trailer and Excerpts of the film in mov. File
(f) English Press Kit.
(g) Poster in a data file (high resolution, B1 size) 

(2) Screening Materials and Subtitles

English subtitled DCP (KDM Free / 24 fps) should reach the desinated address, by mid-September.
* For English dialogue films, English subtitles are unnecessary.
All films will be screened in the original-language version with both English and Japanese subtitles, except for films in English, which will be shown with Japanese subtitles only. 

ARTICLE 5: Understanding & Acceptance

Person responsible for the submission must agree with the below: 

· Cannot withdraw their entry once they have signed the Agreement Form for the official selection. 
· Shall give careful attention to a third party (ex. Japanese distributor) who might interfere with this agreement. 

CONTACTS

E-mail: competition2025@tiff-jp.net
URL: http://www.tiff-jp.net

        http://www.tiff-jp.net

A TO Z - TOP 20 FILM FESTIVALS - FIAPF (Fédération Internationale des Associations de Producteurs de Films)

BERLINALE Germany - Berlin, BIFF, Potsdamer Platz, Golden and Silver Bears, international winter film festival

BFI - British Film Institute's London Film Festival, London, is a celebration of international cinema 9-20 October 2024
BUSAN International BIFF Film Festival, South Korea, Asian film festival, Haeundae District port city, New Currents award.

CAIRO Cairo CIFF International Film Festival, Opera House, Egypt, Nile river - Golden, Silver, Bronze Pyramid Awards

CANNES Paris, France, 5, Rue Charlot 75003 - Film Competitions & Awards Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) - Cinéfondation

CARTAGENA Cartagena Film Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena de Indias - FICCI, Colombia

KOŠICE - KIFF Košice International Short Film Festival & Screenwriting competition

LONDON - Best Script Award - Screenwriting competition, Genesis Cinema, 93-95 Mile End Road

LONDON - Film Fest London - The Golden Script competition, 85 Great Portland Street

TOKYO - Japan - TIFF International Film Festival 2025, 15F Togeki Building, 4-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045

TORONTO Canada - Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF, People's Choice Awards - Bell Lightbox, Toronto

EDINBURGH

Scotland

Established in 1947 as the International Festival of Documentary Films, the Edinburgh International Film Festival is renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema - and for heralding and debating changes in global filmmaking. EIFF seeks to spotlight the most exciting and innovative new film talent, in a setting steeped in history.

Intimate in its scale, ambitious in its scope, and fuelled by pure passion for cinema in all its manifestations, focusing on artistic quality and excellence, the festival explores new ideas in cinema, inviting local and international audiences to engage with a dynamic programme of features, documentaries, shorts and experimental cinema. 

FESPACO

The Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou unfolds every other March. It was created, as former festival director Michel Ouédraogo noted, ‘in a context in which the African states had recently acquired their independence and they wanted to express their sovereignty and their identity’. And it is an essential barometer of the currents flowing through the continent’s thriving cinematic landscape. The most prestigious prize is the Étalon de Yennenga (Stallion of Yennenga), named for the legendary founder of the Mossi Empire.

The biannual Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in Burkina Faso was established in 1969 and accepts competition-only films by African filmmakers and chiefly produced in Africa.

HONG KONG

HKIFF Hong Kong, China

As one of Asia's oldest and most prestigious film festivals, the Hong Kong International Film Festival is a showcase for Chinese-language cinema and a platform for Asian filmmakers to gain international recognition. The festival isn't just about screenings; it's about fostering a deeper understanding of Asian culture and cinema.

INDIA

Goa, India | 2023

This 70-year-old festival operates under the beautiful philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family. Because of gaps between some editions, the latest was its 53rd. It began with a joyous celebration of Bollywood, then continued with a salute to cinema worldwide.

Its big winners were the Spanish-language film Tengo sueños eléctricos (I Have Electric Dreams), which won the Golden Peacock, and best director went to Iranian writer-director Nader Saeivar for No End. Goa also includes a film bazaar in which more than 200 scripts, projects and films from compete for the attention of producers, buyers and programmers from around the world.

LOCARNAO

Locarno, Switzerland / August 2-12

Unfolding in this beautiful Swiss town at the foot of the Alps and on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, this festival has been in existence since 1946. Unfolding every August, it has recently built its reputation for its blend of mainstream fare and edgier titles (alongside Rotterdam Film Festival’s equally esoteric Golden Tiger competition), the latter of which are reflected in the winners of the festival’s top prize, the Golden Leopard. 

Among the oldest and most beloved film festivals in the world, Locarno has spent more than three-quarters of a century celebrating the bravest, most experimental and most exceptional of new cinema.

With massive prizes packages in the hundreds of thousands, and attention from major distributors like Netflix and Pathé Films, Locarno is a major destination for filmmakers and film lovers who are drawn not only to its emphasis on great films, but its majestic location near Lake Maggiore and the Alps.

Its screen on the Piazza Grande is Europe’s largest, and it is known for programming an exceptional number of world premieres.

LONDON BFI, London, British Film Institute's London Film Festival celebrates cinema in one of the world's most vibrant cities.

MELBOURNE MIFF

Melbourne, Australia | August 3-20

Now entering its 71st year, one of the oldest continuous film festivals in the world is also one of the most generous: Its main prize, the Bright Horizons Award, is worth nearly $100,000.

Last year it went to Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman’s acclaimed U.S.-Rwandan production Neptune Frost, which the jury praised for “disrupting the colonial gaze and connecting the rising influence of technology in all our lives.”

Other prestigious awards include the BlackMagic Design Australian Innovation Award for an outstanding Australian creative with a film in the MIFF program. This year’s (2024) went to Jub Clerk for directing Sweet As, which, in the words of the jurors, “crossed worlds and intersected certain realities” — just like a great film festival. 

The Melbourne International Film Festival is the Southern Hemisphere's largest film festival, known for its eclectic mix of local and international films. MIFF isn't just a film festival; it's a community event that brings together cinephiles, filmmakers, and storytellers from across Australia and around the world.

Film festivals are more than just events; they're cultural touchstones that reflect the state of cinema at any given moment. They're about discovery, connection, and the shared experience of film. Whether you're drawn to the glamour of Cannes, the indie spirit of Sundance, or the diverse voices of TIFF, these festivals prove that cinema isn't just alive and well - it's thriving.

SANTA FE

The Santa Fe Film Festival focuses on bringing together distinguished industry specialists and all movie lovers through accessible screenings, panels, workshops and parties! The Festival will continue to grow as the leading exhibition and portal for all things cinematic in New Mexico.

The initial idea for a Santa Fe Film Festival was first introduced in May, 1980 when Bill and Stella Pence, founders of Taos Talking Picture and Telluride Film festivals, started an event with a New Directors/New Film program, co-sponsored by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The Pences led a festival for four years, with such notable guests as Francis Ford Coppola, Charlton Heston, Sam Peckinpah, and Lillian Gish. Last year, the festival honored renowned Ed Asner.

The current form of the Santa Fe Film Festival was inaugurated in 1999 as a nonprofit and began showing films in the year 2000. It was created by Kurt Young, Larry Stouffer, John Armijo, David Koh and film critic Jon Bowman who also acted as the Executive Director and guiding light of the festival for ten years.

SUNDANCE

The largest independent film festival in the United States, the Sundance Film Festival was founded in 1985, when the Sundance Institute assumed creative and administrative control of the US Film Festival. Held annually in Park City, Salt Lake City, Utah, it attracts more than 45,000 people with the goal of being the ultimate gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices and fresh perspectives.

Hundreds of films launched at the festival have gone on to gain critical acclaim including: Reservoir Dogs (1992); Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994); The Usual Suspects (1995); Memento (2000); Napoleon Dynamite (2003); Saw (2004); In Bruges (2008); and Four Lions (2010).

Sundance is where indie films shine. Founded by Robert Redford, the festival takes place in Park City, Utah, and is the largest independent film festival in the U.S. Sundance isn't just about discovering new talent; it's about celebrating the spirit of independence and the art of storytelling without the constraints of mainstream Hollywood.

Giving Berlin a run for its money weather-wise, the United States’ indie darling was for much of the 1990s and 2000s the most essential film festival in the country. It takes place in Park City, Utah, every January. A mountain resort, Park City is set in beautiful surroundings, but the glamour here is hidden underneath layers of woolly jumpers and windbreakers. It was created under the auspices of Hollywood film star Robert Redford. In the 1980s it expanded, changed its name to Sundance (a reference to one of Redford’s most iconic roles) and gradually built its reputation as the home of the nascent US indie film. Jarmusch, Soderbergh, Tarantino etc. The list is endless. More recent years have seen its position challenged. The top award is the Dramatic Competition Grand Jury Prize. 

SXSW - SOUTH BY SOUTH WEST

South by Southwest, or SXSW, is where film meets technology, music, and interactive media. Held in Austin, Texas, the festival is a melting pot of creativity, showcasing not just films but also the latest in tech and digital media. SXSW isn't just a festival; it's a glimpse into the future of entertainment.

What began as a major music festival in the Texan capital of Austin in 1987, by 1994 also included a film component. It began small, but its ambitions soon grew. By the mid-2000s, South by Southwest Film Festival was attracting as strong a line-up of US indie talent as Sundance. It’s now a major player in the US film festival scene and a draw for both filmmakers and the industry in general. Moreover, who wouldn’t want to attend a Spring film festival where you can also catch up with some of the best live music acts? Multiple awards are presented at SXSW each year for shorts, documentaries, film design and more. 

TELLURIDE

Telluride Film Festival

Arguably the most eccentric of the leading festivals, Telluride takes place during the Labour Day weekend (the first Monday in September) high in the mountains of Colorado. The programme is only publicised close to the festival opening so that audiences come to it without expectations of what’s playing. It’s also not an awards festival but features mostly US premieres. And of course, it sports a stunning location. Each year, the festival pays tribute to leading lights in cinema.
 

TRIBECA

Born out of the aftermath of 9/11 to revitalize Lower Manhattan, the Tribeca Film Festival has quickly become one of the most significant cultural events in New York City. Tribeca isn't just about films; it's about community, resilience, and the transformative power of storytelling.

Founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2002, in direct response to the attacks of 11 September 2001, this Spring festival was aimed at rebuilding morale amongst downtown New Yorkers, as well as a show of cultural resilience. It has increasingly become a draw for international filmmakers and since 2016 has its own awards categories, headed by the Best US Narrative feature film.

VENICE

Coming in a very close second is the oldest film festival in the world. Venice Film Festival was created in 1932 under the auspices of Fascist leader Benito Mussolini. But like Cannes, it found its footing in the 1950s. And like its Riviera sibling, it unfolds in one of the most beautiful locations. Keeping slightly away from the tourist trap of St Mark’s piazza, the festival takes place on the Lido. And once again, it attracts all the glamour that any festival can muster. It also follows the Cannes model of a main competition with more esoteric sidebar programmes that allow a wide and diverse range of films to screen. The top prize is the Golden Lion (most prizes at film festivals are either animals or vegetation). 

FILM FESTIVAL 2025 POSTER

Film festivals are more than just annual events where movies are screened; they're celebrations of storytelling, culture, and the art of cinema itself. From the glamorous red carpets of Cannes to the indie vibes of Sundance, these festivals bring together the best of the film world, offering a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and for audiences to experience the diversity of global cinema. They're not just about the films; they're about the conversations, the connections, and the community that forms around them. Each festival has its own unique flavor, reflecting the character of its host city and the cinematic tastes of its audience. Whether you're an industry professional looking to network, a filmmaker hoping to debut your work, or a cinema buff eager to catch the latest and greatest in film, there's a festival out there for you. We hope you enjoy a journey around the world to explore twenty (or more) of the best film festivals and what makes each one stand out. Nothing reaches your soul like a good movie, transporting you to another world, implanting ideas, reinforcing values - allowing temporary escape from the everyday.

Gone with the Wind - 1939 movie classic

Could "Reborn" be the natural sequel to any of the up and coming Cleopatra biopics currently in the mix. 

Jimmy Watson dreams of having an intelligent robot friend is excellent AI art begging for animation.

This website is Copyright © 2025 Planet Earth Trust..