Tokyo jury weighs 15 competition films after festival regains A-list status
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
The Tokyo International Film Festival’s 2026 competition jury has begun discussing how it will choose a winner from 15 films, with jury chair Rolf de Heer saying they should aim for an interesting choice even if some jurors dislike it. Producer Oh Jungwan joked that she was prepared to fight for her preferred film, while de Heer said the five jurors seemed reasonable enough to work through disagreements.
The discussion also revisited Tokyo’s renewed A-list status, which de Heer said may help attract quality films but does not greatly change the festival’s standing among people who already attend. Oh said audiences come to watch films and enjoy the festival, while Alex C. Lo praised its hospitality and attentive audience. De Heer added that Australian-Japanese co-productions work best when the story naturally calls for filming in both countries.
- Sources
- 2
- Outlets
- 2
- Left · Centre · Right
- 0 · 0 · 0
In short
- The jury will judge 15 films for Tokyo’s Grand Prix.
- Jurors expect to work through disagreements over their choices.
- Members debated what the festival’s A-list status means.
How this story developed
- 11 minutes ago The jury’s full five-member line-up was specified as Rolf de Heer, Yov Moor, Oh Jungwan, Makiko Watanabe and Alex C. Lo, who will award the Tokyo Grand Prix; Lo highlighted the festival’s welcome and audience, while de Heer said jurors should seek an interesting winner despite disagreements.
- 16 minutes ago Tokyo International Film Festival’s 2026 competition jury began weighing how to choose a winner from 15 films, as its members discussed the event’s renewed A-list status, its audience and the prospects for Australian-Japanese co-productions.
Explained simply
The Tokyo International Film Festival is an annual event where films from Japan and around the world are screened. Its competition brings together a selection of films for a jury to judge, with awards giving recognition to the filmmakers and their work.
Rolf de Heer is an Australian filmmaker serving as jury chair; Oh Jungwan is a South Korean producer, and Alex C. Lo is also on the jury. The festival’s A-list status refers to its place among major international film festivals, which can help it attract films and industry attention.
The festival also provides a meeting place for filmmakers and audiences, including people working across countries. Co-productions between Australia and Japan are among the collaborations discussed, and can bring together talent and settings from both countries.
Coverage · 2 sources
Entertainment Film Government Politics
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Hollywood Reporter as “Tokyo: Competition Jury Discusses Event’s ‘A-List’ Status, Fighting Over Favorite Films”.