38th Tokyo International Film Festival Dates and Call for Entries Announced
- By Deryl Tan
- Mar 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 23
The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), has unveiled the dates for its 38th annual edition.
Film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and filmmakers worldwide can anticipate a captivating experience from Monday, October 27, to Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The festival will continue to animate Tokyo's vibrant Hibiya-Yurakucho-Marunouchi-Ginza area, utilizing its array of premier screening venues.
Building on decades of tradition and recent successful revitalizations, the 38th TIFF is committed to presenting a diverse and compelling selection of films, fostering international exchange, and nurturing new talent. This year's festival promises an enriching program across its various sections.
The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival will uphold its dedication to recognizing outstanding cinematic achievements through its competitive sections:
International Competition: This flagship section welcomes feature films (fiction, documentary, and animation) from around the world that have not yet had their Japan Premiere. Films will vie for prestigious awards, including the Tokyo Grand Prix, Special Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Artistic Contribution, and the Audience Award.
Asian Future: This competitive section continues its vital role in highlighting the first, second, or third feature films by promising Asian directors, including those from Japan and the Middle East. The top film in this category will receive the Asian Future Best Film Award.
Further details regarding the opening and closing films, as well as the esteemed Jury President, will be announced in the coming months.
Filmmakers globally are invited to submit their works for consideration in the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival's competitive sections.
Eligibility for International Competition Section:
Films must be feature-length (over 60 minutes), including fiction, documentary, and animation.
Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2025.
Films must be at least a Japan Premiere at TIFF. World and International Premieres are given priority. Japanese films must be their World Premieres at TIFF.
Films should not have been screened in the main competition section of other FIAPF-accredited competitive feature film festivals prior to TIFF.
Films that are available on the Internet, TV (including IPTV) or in-flight movies, or commercially released on DVD, VOD, or any other format are not eligible.
Submission Deadlines for International Competition Section:
Early Bird Deadline: May 26, 2025 (3,300 JPY Submission Fee)
Regular Deadline: July 7, 2025 (5,500 JPY Submission Fee)
Eligibility for Asian Future Section:
Films must be feature-length (over 60 minutes).
Films must be the first, second, or third feature film directed by an "Asian" filmmaker (including those from Japan and the Middle East).
Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2025.
Films must be at least a Japan Premiere at TIFF. World and International Premieres are given priority. Japanese films must be their World Premieres at TIFF.
Films should not have been screened in the main competition section of other FIAPF-accredited competitive feature film festivals prior to TIFF.
Films that are available on the Internet, TV (including IPTV) or in-flight movies, or commercially released on DVD, VOD, or any other format are not eligible.
Submission Deadlines for Asian Future Section:
Early Bird Deadline: May 26, 2025 (3,300 JPY Submission Fee)
Regular Deadline: July 7, 2025 (5,500 JPY Submission Fee)
All submissions for both competitive sections must be made via the festival's official website. We encourage filmmakers to review the full regulations carefully. The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival eagerly awaits your cinematic contributions and looks forward to a vibrant and inspiring event this autumn.
Official Festival Website: https://2025.tiff-jp.net/en/ Submission Page (Competitive Sections): https://2025.tiff-jp.net/news/en/?p=19754