The 22nd Tokyo International Film Festival continued with the theme of Ecology implemented in the previous year, and established the GCC Green Carpet Club, providing further opportunities to think about the Earth‘s environment through film. Employing the slogan, “Film has the power to change mankind, mankind has the power to change the Earth,” TIFF became the film festival that brings film, Earth and mankind together.
The Green Carpet was again used at the TIFF opening event this year and was also used for the closing event, as well as the event venues. The total length of 1,600m of Green Carpet was made with approximately 23,000, 500ml plastic bottles.
This year marked the sixth anniversary of the Japanese Eyes section, with its key word “diversity.” Aiming to discover rough-cut hidden gems, the section screened a number of independent films. From experienced directors to rookies, with music, romance, teen films and Japanese aesthetics, the section covered a wide range of themes and profoundly boosted the spirits of the audience this year.
1. At the opening ceremony, AVATAR Special Presentation was held with special guests including producer Jon Landau and actors Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, and Sigourney Weaver. 2. Codirectors Jacques Perrins (center) and Jacques Cluzaud (right) walk the green carpet prior to the opening screening of their special invitation film Oceans, escorted by Japan theme song vocalists Norimasa Fujisawa and Ayaka Hirahara (left), and narrator Rie Miyazawa (second from right). 3. Director Carlos Reygadas, whose films were featured in a special program in the WORLD CINEMA section. 4. Director Sebastián Cordero (center), whose film Rabia won the Special Jury Prize, with lead actress Martina García (left) and executive producer Guadalupe Balaguer Trelles. 5. Singer Eikichi Yazawa, the subject of Special Screenings film E. YAZAWA ROCK. 6. Actor Hiroyuki Sanada, whose films were the focus of the all-night Filmmaker's Angle program. 7. From left: director Tetsuaki Matsue, actor Tsugumi Nagasawa, and singer-songwriter Kenta Maeno, whose film LIVE TAPE won the Japanese Eyes section's Best Picture Award. 8. Actor and Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia president Tetsuya Bessho (left), who served on the TOYOTA Earth Grand Prix jury, with Tokyo International Women's Film Festival director Yoko Otake.