Japan Now Press Conference Featuring Naomi Kawase, with A

PRESS INFORMATION September 6, 2017 Press Conference to Announce the 30th TIFF Lineup: September 26 To the Members of the Press:

The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) will hold a press conference on Tuesday, September 26 to announce the full lineup of the main sections and related special events of the 30th edition.

We cordially invite you to join us at Roppongi Hills Mori Tower as we announce TIFF Official Selections. The 30th TIFF will be held from October 25 – November 3, 2017, at Roppongi Hills, EX Theater Roppongi and other venues in Tokyo.

All press members must complete the press accreditation procedure to attend this press conference. Application Deadline: September 22, 2017.

Date and time: September 26 (Tue), 2017 Doors open at 12:00 pm Press conference starts at 1:00 pm (tentative)

Place: Tower Hall, Roppongi Academyhills Address: Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 49th Floor, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo URL: http://www.roppongihills.com.e.nt.hp.transer.com/facilities/access/

Speakers*: Takeo Hisamatsu – Festival Director, 30th TIFF Nobushige Toshima – Managing Director, 30th TIFF Yoshi Yatabe – Competition Programming Director Kenji Ishizaka – Asian Future Programming Director Kohei Ando – Japan Now Programming Advisor Ryusuke Hikawa – Animation Focus Programming Advisor

Guests: Special Guests (TBA)

Topics: Lineups for all sections and outline of events during 30th TIFF

*Simultaneous interpretation (J/E) to be provided. *Please RSVP by email to arrange your seat and headset for simultaneous interpretation (J/E) by September 22 (Fri) 5:00pm: [email protected]

Japan Now Press Conference featuring Naomi Kawase, with a special screening of Radiance: October 3 TIFF is also pleased to hold a separate Japan Now Press Conference featuring internationally acclaimed writer and director Naomi Kawase, with a very special English-subtitled screening of her latest film, Radiance at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (FCCJ) on Tuesday, October 3, 2017.

Kawase is being feted by TIFF for her contributions to the film industry and her work will be included in the festival. Our festival director, Takeo Hisamatsu, will discuss the new initiatives being unveiled for TIFF 30, and the programing advisor of TIFF’s Japan Now section, Kohei Ando, will discuss the selections for the section, which was launched in 2015 to showcase outstanding Japanese films from recent and coming months, allowing international audiences to see local standouts with (C)2017 “RADIANCE” FILM PARTNERS/KINOSHITA, COMME DES CINEMAS, KUMIE English subtitles.

We cordially invite members of the press to join us for this special opportunity to hear from Ms. Kawase, TIFF Festival Director Takeo Hisamatsu and Japan Now Programming Advisor Kohei Ando.

------30th Tokyo International Film Festival: Oct. 25 – Nov. 3, 2017 tiff-jp.net For further information or inquiries, please contact; TIFF Public Relations Division Tel: +81-(0)3-6226-3012; Fax: +81-(0)3-6226-3023; email: [email protected]

Date and time: October 3 (Tue), 2017 Doors open at 4:15 pm Press conference starts at 5:00 pm

Place: The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (FCCJ)

Address: Yurakucho Denki North Building 20F, 1-7-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

URL: http://www.fccj.or.jp

Speakers: Takeo Hisamatsu– Festival Director, 30th TIFF Kohei Ando – Japan Now Programming Advisor

Guest: Naomi Kawase (Radiance)

Special Screening of Radiance [2017, 101 min., Japanese with English subtitles] from 5:45 to 7:30 pm After the screening, Kawase will also appear for a Q&A session.

*Please RSVP by email ([email protected]) to reserve a seat by October 2 (Mon) at 1:00 pm. *Press pass is NOT needed to attend Japan Now press conference at FCCJ.

Naomi Kawase Naomi Kawase made her theatrical debut in 1997 with Suzaku, which made her the youngest winner of the Camera d’Or at Cannes International Film Festival. In 2007, she won the Cannes Grand Prix with The Mourning Forest, and received the Golden Coach lifetime achievement award in 2009 for her contributions to the festival. In 2013, she was selected as a member of the main competition jury and became President of the Jury for the Cinéfondation and short films section in 2016. Sweet Bean, released in 2015, was a box office success throughout the world. While she continues to direct feature films, she is expanding her activities, and directs TV commercials as well as writing essays. Kawase also focuses on mentoring young filmmakers, by organizing the Nara International Film Festival, which is held in her hometown.

Radiance (Production Company: Kino Films, Comme des Cinémas production in coproduction with Kumié in association with Mk2 Films, Haut et Court.) Misako is a passionate writer of film versions for the visually impaired. At a screening, she meets Nakamori, an older photographer who is slowly losing his eyesight. Misako soon discovers Nakamori’s photographs, which will strangely bring her back to her past. Together, they will learn to see the radiant world that was invisible to her eyes. The film was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or in the main competition section at the 70th Cannes Film Festival, and won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. Starring Masatoshi Nagase, Ayame Misaki and Tatsuya Fuji.

Japan Now section The Japan Now section was created in 2015 to showcase outstanding Japanese films from recent and coming months, demonstrating the diversity of the domestic film industry, as well as providing a multifaceted look at the country today. In the past two years, the section has focused on directors Masato Harada and Shunji Iwai. To celebrate our 30th anniversary, we will highlight the work of four iconic actresses in this year’s Japan Now section. Sakura Ando, Yu Aoi, Hikari Mitsushima and Aoi Miyazaki have been chosen as the Muses of Japanese Cinema in honor of the powerful sparks they generate on screen, their collaborations with renowned directors and their increasing international stature.

30th Tokyo International Film Festival Dates: October 25 (Wed) – November 3 (Fri), 2017 Venues: Roppongi Hills, EX Theater Roppongi and other theaters in Tokyo Market: TIFFCOM 2017 (Japan Content Showcase 2017) October 24 (Tue) – 26 (Thu)