Tokyo International Film Festival

The Tokyo International Film Festival is a major annual film event held in Tokyo, Japan, since 1985. Taking place over one week in late October, it features international film screenings, awards, and industry events at Roppongi Hills.

• Held annually in late October at Roppongi Hills, Tokyo
• Tokyo Grand Prix is the top award for best film
• Accredited by FIAPF as a competitive international festival
• Open-air and voice-over screenings are featured events
• Kashiko Kawakita Award honors women in film culture from 2026

What it is

The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is one of Asia’s leading film festivals and the only Japanese festival accredited by the FIAPF. Each year, filmmakers, actors, and cinema lovers gather in Tokyo to celebrate a diverse selection of films from around the world. The festival is known for its competitive spirit, with the Tokyo Grand Prix awarded to the best film. TIFF is a vibrant meeting point for international and Japanese cinema, offering a platform for new voices and established talent alike.

Where it comes from

Established in 1985, the Tokyo International Film Festival began as a biennial event and became annual from 1991 onward. It quickly grew in stature, becoming the second largest film festival in Asia after Shanghai. Over the decades, TIFF has adapted its awards and programming to reflect changes in the film industry, while maintaining its commitment to showcasing outstanding cinema. The festival’s recognition by the FIAPF marks its significance in the global film community.

How it is celebrated

During the festival, Roppongi Hills in Tokyo transforms into a hub of cinematic activity. Audiences enjoy open-air and voice-over screenings, with opportunities to see films from Japan and across the globe. Actors and filmmakers make appearances, and the program includes seminars and symposiums on the film market. Awards such as the Tokyo Grand Prix, Special Jury Award, and honors for acting and directing are presented, alongside newer recognitions like the Kashiko Kawakita Award for women advancing film culture. The atmosphere is lively, with film enthusiasts mingling, discussing, and celebrating the art of cinema.

Joining in

Visitors can take part in the festival by attending screenings and public events at Roppongi Hills, the main venue. Expect a cosmopolitan crowd and a packed schedule of films, talks, and award ceremonies. Whether you’re a casual moviegoer or a dedicated cinephile, the festival offers a welcoming environment to discover new films and engage with the international film community in the heart of Tokyo.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Tokyo International Film Festival, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Tokyo International Film Festival on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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