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.