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The opening ceremonies for the 15th commemorative anniversary of TIFF featured fleeting shadows of past cinema masterpieces flickering to the theme song from "New Cinema Paradiso". A mini concert was given by composer Joe Hisaishi and the New Japan Philharmonic. Special guests at TIFF included Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise. In view of recent world developments, TIFF screened "War and Peace" in its commitment to furthering world peace. One of the longest films ever made, this film was 8 hours 27 minutes long at its Moscow premiere and 6hours 13 minutes when first shown in Japan. The version screened at this time was a special director's cut version lasting 7 hours 10 minutes.
The Cinema Prism program was renamed "Winds of Asia" and was reconstituted to feature films made in Asia.
For "Nippon Cinema Classics", films were selected that featured songs that became beloved among the Japanese people. Traditional enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa was invited as a guest to the opening of this program and sang "Aishuu ressha" and other songs from a bygone era.
Tokyo Grand Prix - The Governor of Tokyo Award
Broken Wings (Nir Bergman)
Special Jury Prize
Hotel Hibiscus (Yuji Nakae)
Best Director Award
Carlo Rola (Sass)
Best Screenplay Award
Jason Xenopoulos (Promised Land)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Donatella Finocchiaro (Angela)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Graham Greene (Skins)
Best Artistic Contribution Award
Shao Dan - Director of Photography (Sky Lovers)
Asian Film Award
Flying with One Wing (Asoka Handagama)
