The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to kick off Oct. 27 with a robust lineup of international and Japanese cinema, offering everything from world premieres to lovingly restored classics. As always, the program spans a wide range of genres and styles — historical epics, intimate dramas, innovative animation and more — screened with English subtitles at venues in and around the Tokyo Midtown Hibiya shopping and entertainment complex.
To help readers navigate the crowded schedule, Japan Times film writers James Hadfield, Mark Schilling and Matt Schley have shared the titles they’re most excited about. Their selections spotlight both emerging voices and acclaimed auteurs, celebrating films that push boundaries, spark conversation and, above all, demand to be seen on the big screen.
Whether you’re a seasoned festivalgoer or attending for the first time, these recommendations offer an entry point into Japan’s biggest film event of the year.
AloJapan.com