--- title: "Tokyo Film Festival Competition Jury Discusses Global Standing and Co-Productions" url: https://noti.group/tokyo-film-festival-competition-jury-discusses-global-standing-and-co/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Entertainment" published: 2026-10-27T03:29:31.000Z updated: 2026-10-27T23:49:10.183Z id: 30ef88ec-63b3-409e-a053-dd8d253dea58 source: "The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tokyo-film-festival-2026-jury-press-conference-1236740519/" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/tokyo-film-festival-competition-jury-discusses-global-standing-and-co/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Tokyo Film Festival Competition Jury Discusses Global Standing and Co-Productions The Tokyo International Film Festival's competition jury has been discussing the event's global standing, sparking a lively debate about its A-list status. At a press conference on Tuesday, Dutch-Australian filmmaker Rolf de Heer led the discussion, joined by competition jury members Yov Moor, Oh Jungwan, Makiko Watanabe, and Alex C. Lo. The panel was marked by a refreshing absence of politics, a stark contrast to recent pressers at major European and American film festivals. De Heer's candid response to a question about the lack of Australian-Japanese co-productions highlighted the challenges faced by filmmakers in these countries. "It makes no sense for a Japanese film to shoot in Australia, or it makes no sense for an Australian film to shoot in Japan," he said bluntly. The issue of co-productions between Europe and other regions has been a topic of discussion among industry professionals. De Heer noted that European countries excel at financial-based co-productions, but Australia's approach is more nuanced. If the scripts come and they're right, then those \[co-productions\] will always be possible, he said. De Heer's comments sparked a conversation about the complexities of international film production. The Tokyo festival has been working to establish itself as a major player in the global film industry, but its A-list status remains a topic of debate among critics and industry professionals. The discussion is set to continue, with the competition jury deliberating on their picks for the festival's top prizes. Meanwhile, De Heer's insights into the challenges faced by filmmakers have shed light on the intricacies of international co-productions. The conversation among Tokyo Film Festival competition jurors took a lively turn when they were asked about the festival's status as an "A-list event. Juror De Heer noted that Tokyo has long been considered one of the top-tier festivals, with its reputation preceding it among industry professionals. However, he downplayed the significance of being officially recognized as an A-list" event by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). According to De Heer, the categorization is becoming increasingly important in determining the quality of films showcased at top festivals. While the official designation may have some benefits, it does not fundamentally change the festival's standing. One juror, Oh, interjected with a lighthearted remark, suggesting that being "A-list might simply mean good quality films are on offer. However, she also pointed out that as an audience member, she would attend the festival regardless of its status. The discussion highlights the nuances surrounding film festival rankings and their perceived impact on the industry. The tier system at Tokyo's film festival has sparked debate among competition jurors about its relevance in today's industry. According to De Heer, some people place great importance on it while others do not, and that is exactly as it should be. Lo emphasized the unique qualities of Tokyo's event, highlighting its exceptional hospitality and a distinct audience that values original storytelling. This combination has contributed significantly to the festival's reputation as one of the world's top film festivals. When discussing how they would handle disagreements over the 15 films competing for the Tokyo Grand Prix, De Heer stressed that each situation is unique. The outcome depends on the extent of the disagreement and how divided the jury is. De Heer's approach suggests a willingness to find consensus through compromise rather than settling for a lesser film. Oh chimed in jokingly about being ready to fight De Heer over their selection, but ultimately emphasized the importance of finding common ground among jurors. Oh shared an anecdote from her past experience on another jury, where she fought for 7 hours to have her preferred film selected. While acknowledging that such disagreements can be intense, Oh expressed confidence in the Tokyo jury's ability to find a mutually acceptable solution given the many exceptional films competing this year. Moor, a film colorist and jury member at this year's Tokyo festival, expressed his delight at being invited to participate in the competition. He noted that his role as a colorist makes it relatively rare for him to receive such an invitation, which added to his surprise when he received it. Moor has been living in Tokyo for almost two years and said that being part of the jury is a little dream" come true. As a representative of film colorists, Moor also hopes to raise awareness about their contributions to the filmmaking process. He believes that by participating in the festival, he can showcase not only his own work but also the role of colorists in bringing films to life. This experience will likely have a lasting impact on him and others who share his profession. De Heer, another jury member, was also asked about his future projects. However, the director seemed hesitant to commit to anything specific, stating that he is currently weighing his options and trying to make decisions about which path to take. De Heer did mention that being part of the festival provides a welcome break from the decision-making process. The Tokyo jury's deliberations are expected to conclude soon, with a winner announced in due course. --- Source: [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tokyo-film-festival-2026-jury-press-conference-1236740519/) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/tokyo-film-festival-competition-jury-discusses-global-standing-and-co/