Tokyo’s biggest cinematic gathering has returned with a rain-soaked red carpet, Japanese screen stars and an ambitious programme connecting filmmakers across borders. The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) officially opened on October 26, 2026, bringing together Japanese cinema, international productions and influential figures from the global film industry for 10 days of screenings and special events.
But this year’s festival is about more than its headline films. From the story behind Japan’s internationally recognised song “Sukiyaki” to the anticipated arrival of Godzilla Minus Zero, new awards and expanded Asian programming, TIFF is also signalling a broader ambition for Japanese cinema on the world stage.
Tokyo International Film Festival 2026: Opening Highlights and Key Dates
The festival began in Tokyo’s Hibiya area before its opening ceremony at Hulic Hall Tokyo. Persistent rain did little to dampen the atmosphere, with around 270 film-industry guests from Japan and overseas appearing on the red carpet, according to TIFF.
Among the prominent Japanese stars attending were Shōgun actor Tadanobu Asano, Junichi Okada, Kento Nakajima, Mei Nagano and Takumi Kitamura. The opening film’s team included Okada, Tori Matsuzaka, Nana Seino and director Takahisa Zeze.
Nakajima, who serves as TIFF’s Festival Navigator, also attended the opening events and described the rain positively, referring to it as a kind of blessing for cinema.
The red carpet brought together performers and filmmakers associated with the Competition and Gala Selection programmes, offering an early glimpse of the festival’s international range. Director Milcho Manchevski, whose competition entry Sister Brother Manhole Cover features in this year’s selection, appeared with a replica manhole cover connected to the film.
The festival runs across Tokyo’s Hibiya, Yurakucho, Marunouchi and Ginza areas from October 26 through November 4.
| Festival event | Date | Key details |
| Opening day | October 26, 2026 | Opening ceremony, red carpet and Sukiyaki |
| Academy in Tokyo panel | October 28 | Academy leadership programme and special leadership award presentation |
| Academy–Toho conversation | October 29 | Bill Kramer and Hiro Matsuoka |
| Displacement Film Fund discussion | October 30 | Expected participation by Cate Blanchett, Mohammad Rasoulof and Shahrbanoo Sadat |
| Godzilla Minus Zero centerpiece | November 1 | Featured festival screening |
| TIFFCOM 2026 | October 28–30 | Film and audiovisual content market |
| Closing film | November 4 | Yeon Sang-ho’s Colony |
Looking Beyond Film Festivals?
Festival season extends beyond cinema, with major live-music events also attracting entertainment fans. Check out our Boardwalk Rock 2027 festival lineup report for details on the upcoming three-day festival.
Why Takahisa Zeze’s ‘Sukiyaki’ Was Chosen to Open TIFF
The festival opened with Sukiyaki, a music drama directed by Takahisa Zeze and starring Junichi Okada, Tori Matsuzaka and Taiga Nakano.
The film explores the creative partnership behind “Ue o Muite Arukō”, the Japanese song internationally known as “Sukiyaki”. Its story centres on composer Hachidai Nakamura, lyricist Rokusuke Ei and singer Kyu Sakamoto, whose collaboration produced a remarkable international success.
In 1963, the song reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks. It was released internationally under the title “Sukiyaki”, despite having no direct connection to the Japanese dish.
Zeze’s film takes a fictionalised dramatic approach to the real history surrounding the song and its creators. Okada plays Nakamura, Matsuzaka portrays Ei, and Nakano plays Sakamoto. Nana Seino also appears as Junko, Nakamura’s wife.
During the opening ceremony, Okada discussed the significance of being selected for the leading role, saying he felt honoured by the opportunity. He also prepared for the production’s musical demands, including learning piano for the part.
Combining the artists’ personal and creative stories with musical performances, the film seeks to recreate the atmosphere surrounding the song’s creation.
Japanese audiences will be able to watch Sukiyaki in cinemas from December 25, 2026, with TOHO handling distribution.
‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ Becomes TIFF 2026’s Centrepiece
Although Sukiyaki opened the festival, another major Japanese production is drawing considerable attention: Godzilla Minus Zero, selected as the centerpiece screening on November 1.
Written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the film follows the Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One and again stars Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe.
TOHO has described the new production as a continuation of the story established by Godzilla Minus One. Set after Japan’s postwar devastation, it follows a country struggling to recover before another threat emerges.
The timing of the festival screening is particularly notable. Godzilla Minus Zero is scheduled for Japanese theatrical release on November 3, 2026, placing the centerpiece presentation immediately around its domestic cinema launch.
TIFF’s official announcement also identifies the film as the first Japanese production filmed for IMAX.
The project carries the international attention generated by its predecessor. Yamazaki’s Godzilla Minus One won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards, marking a significant achievement for the franchise and Japanese visual-effects filmmaking.
New Festival Director Takeo Hisamatsu Introduces a ‘CONNECT’ Vision
The 39th edition also marks the first TIFF under festival director Takeo Hisamatsu, following the departure of former chairman Hiroyasu Ando.
Hisamatsu has emphasised making the festival more accessible and celebratory while continuing to support independent filmmaking and international cinema. At the opening ceremony, he formally declared the festival open.
This year’s theme, “CONNECT — Cinema Connects Us to the World Beyond,” reflects TIFF’s intention to build relationships between filmmakers, audiences, countries, generations and different areas of film culture.
The festival features more than 200 films across competitive and non-competitive sections, alongside masterclasses, talks, retrospectives, industry events and other programmes.
Its sections include Competition, Asian Future, Nippon Cinema Now, Gala Selection, World Focus, Animation, Japanese Classics, Youth, Women’s Empowerment, Asian Students’ Film Conference and CROSSCUT ASIA+.
The Competition selection includes Japanese titles The Canary’s Lullaby, Two Cigarettes, Three Nights and The Intertwining, alongside international films Trees Are Watching, Sister Brother Manhole Cover, Red Before Dawn and Fuxi: Four Tales of Feasting.
Australian filmmaker Rolf de Heer chairs the Competition jury. Fellow members are Oh Jungwan, Alex Lo, Makiko Watanabe and Yov Moor.
TIFF has also introduced new competitive awards within Nippon Cinema Now to identify and support distinctive Japanese filmmaking talent.
CROSSCUT ASIA+ Expands the Festival’s Regional Focus
One of the edition’s major additions is CROSSCUT ASIA+, a new section presented in collaboration with the Japan Foundation.
Building on the earlier CROSSCUT ASIA initiative, the programme focuses on Southeast Asian cinema. Its inaugural edition uses the theme “Side by Side”, developed through collaboration between programmers from Southeast Asia and Japan.
The section includes six films spanning classic and contemporary Southeast Asian cinema. The initiative reflects TIFF’s broader effort to strengthen connections between Japanese and Asian filmmakers and programmers while encouraging cultural exchange across the region.
Kashiko Kawakita Award Recognises Women’s Contributions to Film Culture
TIFF is introducing the Kashiko Kawakita Award to recognise women who have made significant contributions to film culture in Japan and internationally.
Named after Kashiko Kawakita, a major figure in Japanese cinema, the award honours her role in facilitating cultural exchange between Japan and Europe and supporting the preservation and promotion of films.
The inaugural recipient is film critic and journalist Sahoko Hata. She played an important role in bringing internationally significant films to Japanese audiences, including Jacques Tati’s Mon Oncle, Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless and René Clément’s Purple Noon.
The award forms part of TIFF’s broader Women’s Empowerment programming and recognises women who have helped develop and preserve film culture.
O Mipo and Mohammad Rasoulof to Receive Kurosawa Akira Awards
The 2026 Kurosawa Akira Awards will go to filmmakers O Mipo and Mohammad Rasoulof. The awards recognise filmmakers whose work has made a significant contribution to cinema and who are considered influential figures for its future.
O Mipo is known for The Light Shines Only There and Living in Two Worlds. Her work has explored people living on the margins of society, as well as stories involving children and family relationships.
Rasoulof is an internationally recognised Iranian filmmaker whose career has been marked by conflict with government censorship. His films include There Is No Evil and The Seed of the Sacred Fig.
He won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival for There Is No Evil and the Special Jury Prize at Cannes for The Seed of the Sacred Fig.
The decision to honour both filmmakers reflects TIFF’s continued interest in cinematic innovation and films engaging with difficult social and political subjects.
Academy Leaders Bring Hollywood Industry Connections to Tokyo
Another major initiative is Academy in Tokyo, a special programme involving senior leadership from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organisation behind the Oscars.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer, President Lynette Howell Taylor and Chief Membership, Impact and Industry Officer Meredith Shea are visiting Japan for the programme.
The delegation is scheduled to participate in a panel discussion on October 28, followed by the presentation of a special leadership award to Kramer and a gathering involving Academy members.
On October 29, Kramer will also participate in a conversation with Hiro Matsuoka, President and CEO of Toho.
The programme creates an opportunity for discussion between Hollywood and Japan’s film industries. Kramer has also encouraged audiences to support cinema and filmmakers by emphasising the importance of theatrical attendance.
Cate Blanchett Expected at TIFF for Displacement Film Fund Discussion
International guest programming is another feature of the festival, with Cate Blanchett expected to visit Tokyo for an event connected to the Displacement Film Fund, which supports filmmakers affected by displacement and forced migration.
On October 30, Blanchett is expected to participate in a discussion alongside Mohammad Rasoulof and Shahrbanoo Sadat.
Her visit comes as she is also being recognised with the Praemium Imperiale. The appearance forms part of TIFF’s wider effort to bring filmmakers and prominent figures from different parts of the global film industry into direct contact with Japanese audiences and creators.
Wayne Wang, Ulrike Ottinger and Japanese Cinema Classics
Beyond its main Competition, TIFF’s programme includes a Wayne Wang masterclass and a retrospective dedicated to filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger.
The festival is also presenting a Kenji Mizoguchi retrospective in cooperation with the National Film Archive of Japan, alongside a Youssef Chahine centenary retrospective.
Other offerings include animation showcases, youth-focused cinema events, women’s filmmaking programmes and the Asian Students’ Film Conference.
TIFF is continuing its Kurosawa Akira’s Favorite Films programme, giving audiences an opportunity to explore films connected to the influences and preferences of the legendary Japanese director.
Japanese cinema remains central to the festival despite its expanded international programming. Alongside new works from established filmmakers and emerging voices, the Competition features three Japanese-directed entries.
The Nippon Cinema Now awards are intended to help distinctive Japanese films gain recognition and potentially reach audiences outside the country. This ambition also aligns with a wider Japanese government effort to expand the international reach of the country’s entertainment industries.
At the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivered a video message highlighting the role of Japanese film and entertainment in cultural exchange and the ambition to significantly expand overseas sales of Japanese content.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa also highlighted the importance of Japanese entertainment, including the international reach of major properties such as Godzilla.
TIFFCOM 2026 Returns as Tokyo’s Film Industry Market
Running alongside the festival is TIFFCOM, its affiliated market for film and audiovisual content.
TIFFCOM 2026 takes place from October 28 through October 30 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho-Kan.
The market provides a professional platform for film, television and other audiovisual content, complementing the public festival with opportunities for international business and content exchange.
With the festival and market operating simultaneously, Tokyo becomes a meeting point for filmmakers, distributors, producers, buyers and other entertainment-industry professionals.
Yeon Sang-ho’s ‘Colony’ Will Close the Festival
TIFF will conclude on November 4 with Colony, a Korean action thriller directed by Yeon Sang-ho, internationally known for Train to Busan.
The film stars Gianna Jun, Koo Kyo-hwan and Ji Chang-wook.
According to TIFF, the story begins with a sudden bioterror attack in a Seoul skyscraper. A scientist trapped inside the building encounters infected people whose behaviour begins to evolve through a collective intelligence.
Colony previously had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and has been selected as TIFF’s closing film. Its Japanese theatrical release is scheduled for 2027, with GAGA Corporation handling distribution.
The choice gives the festival a closing feature that differs sharply from the historical music drama opening the event and the large-scale monster-film sequel chosen as its centerpiece.
More Entertainment Happening in Tokyo
Tokyo’s entertainment scene also attracts international music stars and high-profile events throughout the year. Explore our Bad Bunny Japan debut and Billions Club report for another major entertainment event connected to the city.
Conclusion: Tokyo Film Festival 2026 Connects Japanese and Global Cinema
The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival combines major Japanese productions with international cinema, expanded Asian programming and new initiatives supporting film culture. From Sukiyaki and Godzilla Minus Zero to Colony, its headline films span distinct genres and cinematic traditions.
The new awards, Academy in Tokyo programme, international guests, retrospectives and TIFFCOM market further support the festival’s ambition to connect Japan’s film industry with the wider world.
With more than 200 films and events scheduled through November 4, TIFF’s 2026 edition places Japanese cinema at the centre of a broader conversation about international collaboration, cultural exchange and the future of filmmaking.
Source and research disclaimer: This article has been prepared using the official Tokyo International Film Festival website, festival announcements and reports from Variety, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter listed below. It reflects the information available in those sources as of October 26, 2026, and does not claim independent verification beyond the material reviewed. Festival schedules, guest appearances and other event details may change during the course of the festival.
Sources
- 39th Tokyo International Film Festival official website
- TIFF announcement on Sukiyaki, Godzilla Minus Zero and Colony
- TIFF official opening ceremony report
- TIFF official red carpet report
- TIFF full 2026 lineup announcement
- TIFF Academy in Tokyo announcement
- TIFF Kurosawa Akira Award announcement
- TIFF three new initiatives announcement
- TIFF dates for the 39th festival and TIFFCOM 2026
- Variety report on the Tokyo Film Festival opening
- Deadline report on the Tokyo Film Festival opening
- The Hollywood Reporter report on the opening ceremony
Featured Image Credit: Tokyo International Film Festival / TIFFCOM
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