2007.12.11
[Updates]
Congratulatory Message on the Occasion of The 20th Tokyo International Film Festival
This year the Tokyo International Film Festival marked its 20th occasion since its inception in Shibuya, Tokyo, in 1985. A number of congratulatory messages have been sent in by film industry participants and followers from around the world who have had associations with TIFF, including previous juries and Grand Prix winning directors. These messages were carried in the official program as well as the daily news that was distributed during the festival season. As these proved to be very popular, other congratulatory messages that were not included in the papers are shown on this site. We would like to thank all these people for their generous support. We will continue our endeavors to create a film festival that will meet the expectations of people from various walks of life. Please look forward to next year's festival.
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu / Andy Lau / Cameron Diaz / Chen Kaige
Lord Puttnam of Queensgate C.B.E., / Jackie Chan / Jeremy Thomas / Kiichi Nakai
Kichitaro Negishi / Kon Ichikawa / Lee Byung-hun / Luc Bessoon
Masahiro Shinoda / Milos Forman / Miki Nakatani / Steven Spielberg
Tian Zhuang-zhuang / Tsui Hark / Yoji Yamada / Zhang Yimou (alphabet order)
Since then, I felt in love with Japan and 5 years later I shoot BABEL in Tokyo.
The TIFF is one of the most beautiful festival because of the people, the great audience and the powerful film tradition that exist.
!!Congratulations y Abrazos!! (Congratulations and Hugs)
I wish for the success of the festival and further advancement!!
I am sending you my best wishes on the 20th anniversary of the Tokyo International Film Festival. I am sorry I cannot be with you to celebrate this great occasion, but I am shooting a new film that I look forward to bringing to cinemas next year. I wish you all many more years of success with the Festival.
I wish for the future success of the Festival, and I hope it will become an important festival throughout the world.
Looking back on my long career, I can honestly say that the week spent Chairing the Jury at the first Tokyo International Film Festival counts among the most challenging, enjoyable and ultimately satisfying of my entire life.
I will forever owe the Festival, and its organisers, a great debt of gratitude.
It is the one that the world eyes over.
To me, cinema is still the most effective way to move an audience with a communal experience. Normally at the Film Festival we get to see a great variation of carefully selected films in large auditoriums and that's where cinema lives to the fullest. The chance to find a gem and to discuss it with others, to be entertained and understand something outside of our daily lives is what festival going is all about. In a world where we're all watching films by ourselves, I encourage everyone to invest some time and go to the movies and I wish all participants and viewers 'bon festival'!
Congratulations on the 20th Tokyo International Film Festival.
It seems to be only yesterday that "The Burmese Harp" which I played in was screened as the first closing film, and that I made a short speech at NHK Hall.
In comparison with any other film festivals, TIFF is younger, but I hope that TIFF improves with age and becomes a greater festival that film creators around the world wish to be nominated by. I will try to play a part in it to the best of my ability.
The fact that "What the Snow Brings" was honored with the 18th Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix and three other awards is one of the most memorable incidents in my cinema life. Fortunately, ever since, I get inspired to take a more positive stance toward films as the time for TIFF gets closer every year.
Let's transmit from TOKYO!
It's a great honor to be able to send my congratulatory message for such an esteemed film festival.
I wish the Tokyo International Film Festival to grow into a prestigious film festival that plays a big role in the diversification and development of the film industry. Congratulations, once again. Thank you.
Age of reason
Age of Beauty
Age of maturity...
20 years is the perfect age to start a new life!!
Long live the Tokyo International Film Festival!
On the occasion of the 20th Tokyo International Film Festival in the series, I am overwhelmed with emotion. When I sat on a jury at the second festival, I watched OLD WELL directed by Wu Tian-Ming. That movie spear-headed the rise of Chinese movies. Since then, films shown by this festival have been playing a role as a mirror that reflects the world. I wish you further enrichment and development.
Congratulations for the 20th TIFF! I sincerely hope that the Tokyo International Film Festival would an opportunity for films to reach and illuminate the mind of people around the world like bright streams of light.
I look forward to many more years of celebrating great films with the Tokyo Film Festival.
My warmest congratulations for the 20th anniversary of the Tokyo International Film Festival. It was at the first or the second festival when "Old Well," in which I performed, was screened. The Tokyo International Film Festival is like a 20 year old youth in the height of its adolescent years. It is most pleasing to see this young man is looking even more vigorous especially during the last few years, thanks to the efforts by Mr. Tsuguhiko Kadokawa.
I was honored to become the president of jury in 2005, which also gave me an opportunity to participate in the Festival with Mr. Ken Takakura. Although Mr. Takakura had never walked on a red carpet before then, he did so to keep me company. I can almost see the image even now. Kadokawa General Producer went out of his way and brought a famous noodle chef to the party for me as I love noodles. When I think of the particularly tasty noodles, it makes my mouth water.
