The Tokyo International Film Festival has announced that acclaimed Australian director Rolf de Heer will serve as president of the International Competition jury at the 39th edition of the festival. His appointment recognises his four decades of filmmaking and substantial international recognition, making him a significant figure to lead the jury's assessment of films competing from across the globe.

De Heer's career includes multiple award-winning works screened at prestigious festivals: Bad Boy Bubby (1993) won at Venice, four films have screened in Official Selection at Cannes, and Charlie's Country (2013) won Best Actor for collaborator David Gulpilil. Additionally, his 2022 film The Survival Of Kindness, previously selected for competition at the Berlinale, will screen as part of an Australia Spotlight showcase. The festival takes place from 26 October to 4 November 2026, with the TIFFCOM contents market running from 28–30 October.