Naman Ramachandran The 37th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is doubling down on global networking and gender equality initiatives, according to festival chair Ando Hiroyasu. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, various restrictions made this difficult, but we are finally able to engage in genuine networking,” Ando told Variety.
The festival has relocated its TIFF Lounge, a hub for international exchange, to the more centrally located Lexus Meets venue to facilitate better interaction between Japanese and international filmmakers.
Among this year’s notable additions is a new Women’s Empowerment section. The initiative follows TIFF becoming the first Asian film festival to sign the Collectif 50/50 charter in 2021.
Collectif 50/50 is an international organization promoting gender equality in the film industry. “Through this new section, showcasing films that focus on women’s achievements and holding a symposium, we hope to listen to wider range of voices, encouraging discussions and initiatives that promote and reflect on women’s empowerment,” Ando said.
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