Animation set for major push at Tokyo Film FestivalAugust 27, 2014 - 13:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Tokyo International Film Festival will focus on promoting Asian content and talent, with animation set for a major push, Yasushi Shiina, director general of TIFF and TIFFCOM, told a news conference in the Roppongi hills, The Hollywood Reporter said. Among the initiatives announced at the briefing was Crosscut Asia, a showcase focusing on films from Asian countries, directors and actors. This year’s section will highlight Thai films, with titles to be announced with the rest of the festival line-up on Sept. 30. It was also announced that the festival will collaborate with the Japan Foundation for the next seven years. John Lasseter, executive producer of Big Hero 6, will attend its world premiere as the festival’s opening film. The closing film will be Takashi Yamazaki’s Parasyte. Other announcements included a special screening of Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights in Tokyo’s most famous kabuki theatre, the Kabukiza. There will also be a retrospective presenting 50 works from animator Hideaki Anno. "We are going to be showcasing animation films in a way that only TIFF could do this year," said Shiina. “We will continue to present those outstanding Japanese filmmakers to the world!" Anno talked about how excited he was to be showing his films. “By looking back at my past work, I find that my creation style has not been changed since I started my career," he said. "Even some of the films from my amateur ages constructed a part of my career, so I am thrilled to show my films from all genres. Come to think of it, everything is [a] challenge, all of my works are unforgettable and good memories as a director don’t remain, but hard experiences led to build my creativity.” The Tokyo Film International Festival will run from Oct. 23 to 31. Photo: AceShowbiz Top stories The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. The festival made the news public on March 19, saying that “several options are considered in order to preserve its running” Partner news | Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |