On September 18 (Thu), the lineup of the 21st Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) was announced at a press conference at Roppongi Hills venue, one month prior to its commencement.

Hideyuki Takai, President, Japan Association for International Promotion of the Moving Image, was introduced as a person who is an authority of visual manufacturing industry and content business, bureaucracy, politics and business both domestic and worldwide. Tatsumi Yoda, the TIFF Chairman, spoke of his aspirations to make the Film Festival a place where many guests would participate and excellent films could be enjoyed. He also announced that this year, TIFF will take up the theme of "Ecology" and will feature a "Green Carpet" instead of the traditional red carpet. And also answering to the expectations for showing our initiatives in tackling the theme of "Ecology" and environmental issues, it will launch a new section "natural TIFF supported by TOYOTA" and the presentation of TOYOTA Earth Grand Prix as well as hosting of the symposiums and conferences.

Another new section, "Director's Angle" that features all-night screenings and talk shows by three highly praised Japanese directors: Shunji Iwai, Kiyoshi Kurosawa and Yojiro Takita were introduced at the conference with the directors present on stage.

The Lineup of the 21st TIFF was introduced focusing on the films selected for Competition section and Special Screenings of the main programs and depicted the image of the 21st edition of TIFF as the Asia's largest Film Festival of the world.

Special guests, Atsuro Watabe, a director and actor, Saki Takaoka, an actress, and Tetsu Maeda, who directed Shool Days with Pig, appeared on the stage.