This year marks the 21st celebration of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). As the only Japanese International Film Festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF)*1, TIFF has been an integral part of Japan’s film industry and cultural scene since its establishment in 1985. TIFF aspires to be recognized as one of the four best film festivals of the world, in the same league as Cannes, Venice and Berlin which now stand at the summit of more than 2,600 international film celebrations.

Films from variety of genres are shown at TIFF within 9 days of intriguing programs such as "Competition" which selects the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix from carefully chosen ensembles of premiere films presented by the talented first-timers as well as established directors; "Special Screenings" which premieres highly entertaining films prior to public release in Japan; "Winds of Asia – Middle East " which possesses the greatest numbers of films as well as audiences in TIFF screenings; "Japanese Eyes" which showcases range of various Japanese films for worldwide audiences and introducing "natural TIFF" which is a newly established program suited for our ecological theme of the 21st TIFF.