37th Tokyo International Film Festival Concludes, 'Teki Cometh' Wins Tokyo Grand Prix
- By Deryl Tan
- Nov 6, 2024
- 2 min read
The 37th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) successfully concluded its 10-day run, celebrating the power of cinema from October 28 to November 6, 2024. The festival welcomed filmmakers and film lovers to the vibrant Hibiya-Yurakucho-Marunouchi-Ginza area, showcasing a compelling lineup of 208 films.
The event drew 61,576 admissions, with an additional 96,866 people attending various related events.
The Closing Ceremony, held at Toho Cinemas Hibiya, was a grand affair, culminating in the announcement of the highly anticipated award winners, including a historic win for Japanese cinema.
The distinguished International Competition Jury, led by acclaimed Hong Kong actor and singer Tony Leung, presented the following honors:
Tokyo Grand Prix: "Teki Cometh" (Japan) directed by Daihachi Yoshida. This marks a significant achievement, being the first time a Japanese film has won the Grand Prix since 2005, and only the third time in the festival's 37-year history.
Award for Best Director: Daihachi Yoshida for "Teki Cometh."
Award for Best Actor: Sean Lau for "Papa" (Hong Kong).
Award for Best Actress: Shahana Goswami for "Santosh" (India, United Kingdom, France, Germany).
Special Jury Prize: "Daughter's Daughter" (Taiwan) directed by Huang Xi.
Audience Award: "Big World" (China) directed by Yang Lina, chosen by festivalgoers.
Award for Best Artistic Contribution: Not explicitly stated in available sources for this edition's specific winner.
The other awards presented were:
Asian Future Best Film Award: "Apollon by Day Athena by Night" (Turkey) directed by Emine Yildirim.
Kurosawa Akira Award: Presented to Japanese director Miyake Sho and Taiwanese director Fu Tien-yu, honoring their significant contributions to cinema and their expected future influence.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Honored Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr for his profound impact on cinema.
TIFF Ethical Film Award: Awarded to "Dahomey" (Benin, France, Senegal) directed by Mati Diop.
The 37th TIFF not only celebrated cinematic excellence but also introduced new initiatives, such as the Women's Empowerment Section, fostering important discussions within the industry. The festival's success underscores its vital role in the global film landscape and its commitment to diverse storytelling.
Official Festival Website: https://2024.tiff-jp.net/en/
Award Winners Page: https://2024.tiff-jp.net/news/en/?p=19620