On Staging the 39th TIFF | 39th Tokyo International Film Festival(2026)

Outline

On Staging the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival

Hisamatsu Takeo has been appointed the new Festival Director, taking effect from April 14. He succeeds Chairman Ando Hiroyasu, who has led the Tokyo International Film Festival since 2019, marking a new chapter for the festival under this new leadership.

After five years since my last appointment with the Tokyo International Film Festival, it is a great honor to once again be given the opportunity to shoulder the significant responsibility of Festival Director. During my previous tenure, I championed the vision of Entertainment and Art in Symmetry. Through a diverse lineup of films and events, we aimed to create a festival filled with a sense of celebration, which ultimately contributed to an increase in attendance. The Japanese government has now positioned the content business as a vital growth sector and is strengthening its support. Given this opportunity, I will commit to ensuring that TIFF plays a key role in both deepening cultural value and promoting the commercial development of the film industry. I sincerely appreciate your continued support and cooperation.

39th Tokyo International Film Festival Festival Director
Hisamatsu Takeo

Hisamatsu Takeo Profile

Hisamatsu Takeo joined Shochiku Co., Ltd in 1978, and in 1986 became manager of Shochiku USA's Little Tokyo Cinema, Los Angeles. He returned to Tokyo in 1989 and was appointed as senior manager of the Shochiku Exhibition Department. In 1994, he joined Time Warner Entertainment Japan as General Director of the Theatrical Distribution Department, Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. In 2001, he rejoined Shochiku as Director of the Theatrical Distribution Department, Production and Acquisition, and became an Executive Managing Director in 2003. He was named President of what is now Shochiku Broadcasting Co., Ltd. in 2006, and in 2010 rejoined Warner Entertainment Japan Inc. as Deputy General Manager of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. After establishing his own company, My Way Movies, Hisamatsu served as Festival Director of TIFF from March 2017 to March 2021.

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