Tokyo Filmex 2013

Coming a month after Tokyo International Film Festival, Filmex offers succour to cinephiles left underwhelmed by its more high-profile rival. Focusing on auteur filmmakers, particularly those working in Asia and the Middle East, it's a good opportunity to catch up on some of the notable flicks that have been doing the rounds on the international festival circuit, as well as check out some homegrown talent. 26 films will be shown at this year's fest, including Jia Zhangke's Palme d'Or-nominated A Touch of Sin as the opening picture and Danis Tanović's An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker, winner of the Jury Grand Prix in Berlin this year. In competition, look out for Youth, Tom Shoval's sharp analysis of contemporary Israeli society, Singapore import Ilo Ilo, and documentarist Yojyu Matsubayashi's The Horses of Fukushima. In addition, there will be showings of three Jean Grémillon films rarely seen in Japan.

Advance tickets go on sale on November 3; see the official website for a complete schedule and program.