The 19th TIFF was held together with TIFFCOM, a film market which promotes Japanese content overseas and AKIHABARA-ENTA MATSURI which was held in Akihabara, the heart of animation, games, cartoons and character goods.
Works by directors Shohei Imamura, Kon Ichikawa and Seijun Suzuki were featured, providing opportunities to review the progress of masters of the Japanese film industry. In addition, the Cinema Vibration was held, focusing on the relationship between music and films. Films connected to music were screened, and a live performance was given at Roppongi Hills Arena as a closing event. A new project to nurture film critics was also started. Critiques of the films screened in the Competition section were invited for awards.

1. From right: writer James Bradley (author of "Flags of Our Fathers"), with actors Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach, the opening screening of Flags of Our Fathers. 2. Composer Ludovic Bource (left), actress Aure Atika, and director Michel Hazanavicius at a screening of their Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix winner OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies. Who knew that Hazanavicius would go on to win a Best Picture Oscar for The Artist six years later? 3. Filmmaker Yamada Yoji, jury chairman for the Akira Kurosawa Award (which he himself received in 2004). 4. Director Darren Aronofsky (left) and producer Eric Watson attend a screening of The Fountain. 5. Actor Kengo Kora (left) won a Special Award in the Japanese Eyes section for his performance in M, directed by Ryuichi Hiroki. See page 106 for a discussion between Kora and director Yoshihiro Fukagawa. 6. The Winds of Asia section's focus on the Malaysian New Wave caused a sensation. From left: director Yasmin Ahmad, who had four of her films screened including the world premiere of Mukshin, Rain Dogs director Ho Yuhang, and actor-musician Pete Teo. 7. Director Kon Ichikawa (left) at the closing screening of Murder of the Inugami Clan with TIFF chairman Tsuguhiko Kadokawa. Ichikawa was also chosen as the recipient of that year's Akira Kurosawa Award.