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TOKYO 2016

Seven European films to compete for the Tokyo Grand Prix

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- From 25 October to 3 November, the 29th edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival will showcase the most outstanding examples of world cinema

Seven European films to compete for the Tokyo Grand Prix
The Bloom of Yesterday by Chris Kraus

This year marks the 29th edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), which started in 1985 as Japan’s first major film festival. Since then, it has grown to become one of the biggest film gatherings in Asia. The TIFF seeks out outstanding films from around the world and brings them to Tokyo, where filmmakers and film fans alike can enjoy them and meet emerging talents. The Japanese event will last for ten days, beginning on 25 October and unspooling until 3 November.

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Over the ten days of the festival, more than 200 films of a variety of genres will be shown across several sections. One movie from the Competition section - a carefully chosen selection of premieres by talented first-timers and seasoned directors - will be awarded the Tokyo Grand Prix. The Competition section is attracting considerable attention thanks to its fine choice of titles - only last year, there were 1,409 submissions from 86 countries or regions.

Amongst the 16-strong final selection, we find seven European titles, one of which, the German drama The Bloom of Yesterday [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
 by Chris Kraus (starring Adèle Haenel and Lars Eidinger), will have its world premiere. Two will have their international premieres (the Italian-Swiss-French production 7 Minutes [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Michele Placido
film profile
]
by Michele Placido and the French movie Paris Prestige by Hamé and Ekoué), while the last four will have their Asian premiere (the Turkish film Big Big World [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Reha Erdem
film profile
]
 by Reha Erdem, the Croatian-Danish co-production Quit Staring at My Plate [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Hana Jušić
film profile
]
 by Hana Jušić, the co-production between Romania and France The Fixer [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Adrian Sitaru
interview: Tudor Aaron Istodor
film profile
]
 by Adrian Sitaru and the Nordic production between Sweden, Denmark and Norway Sámi Blood [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Amanda Kernell
interview: Lars Lindstrom
film profile
]
 by Amanda Kernell). Other European titles have won the top prize lately, such as the moving French film Untouchable [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
by Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache in 2011, The Other Son [+see also:
trailer
making of
film profile
]
by Lorraine Lévy in 2012 and We Are the Best! [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
by Sweden's Lukas Moodysson in 2013.

Other prizes will be given out for Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress, amongst other categories, all of which will be determined by an international jury including French director Jean-Jacques Beineix, Hong Kongese director Mabel Cheung, Italian actor Valerio Mastandrea, US producer Nicole Rocklin and Japanese director Hideyuki Hirayama.

The TIFF has become a leading showcase for new talent in Asia and abroad. Since its inception, it has been dedicated to discovering and cultivating new talent, and has contributed to the careers of countless international filmmakers. Additional events with an emphasis on films will take place during the festival, such as seminars, symposiums and workshops for students, professionals and business people, besides interactive programmes to promote discussions and professional networking.

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