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Rolf de Heer Named TIFF Jury President
Confirmed
In Short: Australian director Rolf de Heer has been named the president of the International Competition jury for the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival. The festival announced the appointment, which will see de Heer oversee the jury's deliberations during the event.
De Heer's recent film, 'The Survival of Kindness,' will screen in Tokyo as part of an Australia Spotlight, a special showcase of Australian cinema presented in cooperation with the Australian Embassy in Japan.
Festival Director Takeo Hisamatsu expressed his delight at welcoming de Heer, stating, 'Can life ever get much better than this?' He noted de Heer's distinctive perspective and commitment to filmmaking.
De Heer, in a statement, acknowledged the privilege of attending the festival, adding, 'For me, as a filmmaker, it is even more so. But as a part of this jury, I have the duty, the obligation, to see at least 15 films and talk about them with other filmmakers!
The Australia Spotlight will feature de Heer's 'The Survival of Kindness,' which competed at the Berlin International Film Festival and won the FIPRESCI Prize there.
De Heer's career highlights include 'Dingo' (1991), 'The Tracker' (2002), and 'Charlie's Country' (2013), the latter of which earned David Gulpilil the best actor award at Cannes.
The World Focus lineup at TIFF will include the Australia Spotlight, a dedicated showcase of Australian cinema. The series will screen de Heer's 'The Survival of Kindness' and other films.
What this adds
The Australia Spotlight is a new addition to TIFF's lineup, highlighting Australian cinema.
What's confirmed
- Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced that Australian director Rolf de Heer will serve as president of the International Competition jury at this year’s edition of the festival.
- Can life ever get much better than this?” Tokyo Festival Director Takeo Hisamatsu said: “We are delighted to welcome Rolf de Heer as President of the International Competition jury at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival.
- With his distinctive perspective and unwavering commitment to filmmaking, de Heer has spent decades opening up new possibilities in cinema.
- “For any of us attending the Tokyo International Film Festival, it is a privilege. For me, as a filmmaker, it is even more so,” de Heer said in a statement.
What's still developing
- “We look forward to the fresh dialogue and discoveries that his wealth of experience and deep insight will bring to this year’s Competition and its diverse selection of films.” De Heer trained at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School and has since written or co-written 14 screenplays that reached the screen as feature films.
- TIFFCOM, the festival’s industry market, will take place Oct.