Upcoming! Tokyo International Anime Fair 2007

Tokyo International Anime Fair 2007 (known as “TAF”) will be held at the Tokyo Big Sight (East Exhibition Halls No. 1, 2, and 3) on March 22nd to March 25th. It is the world's largest anime exhibition held every spring at Tokyo Big Sight. The exhibition features a “trade fair” with booth exhibits by anime-related companies, “events” including spectacular stage performances and theater movie showings / displays, and the “Tokyo Anime Awards” in which outstanding anime works are presented with awards.

Every year the exhibition attracts the attention of people throughout the world for its extensive program. Through the kind support of a diversity of people including business users, families, and anime fans, TAF 2006 (held in March 2006) featured exhibits by 256 companies (73 from overseas) and welcomed a record of 98, 984 visitors over the four days of the event.

The Tokyo Anime Award Competition 2007 aims to unearth new talent and provide them with business support. An expert committee will award various prizes, including the Grand Prix. It will be held from March 22nd to March 25th, 2007 at Tokyo Big Sight. They are accepting applications until January 10th, 2007.

For more information, go to: http://www.tokyoanime.jp/en/

Upcoming! Independence-D 2007

The aim of this convention is to bring leading-edge independent labels and their artists from around the world together in Japan to participate in developing the next musical movement. Bringing the best of both worlds closer together, that is the spirit of independence-D 2007. The event will be held from February 3rd-4th, 2007.

For more information, go to: http://www.independence-d.com/top.html

Report: Tokyo International Film Festival

The Tokyo Film Festival was held from October 21st to the 29th. About 7,200 fans lined the street to greet the stars. The stars included Adam Beach and Jesse Bradford from “Flags of Our Fathers,” who later appeared onstage for the opening night screening at Toho Cinemas Roppongi Hills, the main venue of the festival. After the opening screening, the guests, led by tuxedoed toppers from every major studio and distributor, adjourned to the nearby Grand Hyatt for the opening party. Addressing the assembled was Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who called himself a “big movie fan” and noted his use of film references in his new book “Towards a Beautiful Country.”

The following is a complete list of this year’s winners:

Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix
“OSS 117, Cairo Nest of Spies”
Director: Michel Hazanavicius

Special Jury Prize
“Thirteen Princess Trees”
Director: Lu Yue

Award for Best Director
Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris
“LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE”

Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Abigail Breslin
“LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE”

Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Roy Dupuis
“The Rocket”

Award for Best Artistic Contribution
“After This Our Exile”
Director: Patrick Tam

The Audience Award
“LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE”
Director: Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris

Best Asian Film Award
“After This Our Exile”
Director: Patrick Tam

Japanese Eyes, Best Picture Award
“THE CATS OF MIRIKITANI”
Director: Linda Hattendorf

Japanese Eyes, Special Award
Kengo Kora (Actor)
“M”

Akira Kurosawa Award
Milos Forman (Director)
Kon Ichikawa (Director)

For more information, go to: http://www.tiffcom.jp/index_e.html

Report: Tiffcom 2006

TIFFCOM 2006, also known as the Tokyo International Film Market, was held from October 23rd to the 25th, attracting 112 booths and many overseas participants this year. There were a total of 14,676 attendees during the 3 days of the market, with 2,923 registrants from 39 countries. The number of overseas participants increased by 46.5% (245 additional participants), with many from North America.

For more information, go to: http://www.tiffcom.jp/pdf/20061101_report_e.pdf