Tokyo’s top cinematic extravaganza is back. This year, the opening film is The Walk, a 3D biographical drama about French high-wire artist Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who walked a tightrope between the World Trade Center towers in the ’70s. Headed by director Bryan Singer, the jury will be choosing from 16 movies in the competition category, including Yoshihiro Nakamura's horror-mystery The Inerasable (Zange), android story Sayonara and David Verbeek's drone drama Full Contact, while the 'Japanese Splash' section celebrates domestic indie cinema and the 'Asian Future' selection highlights up-and-coming directors from across the continent. There'll also be a bunch of special screenings, from an Orson Welles retrospective to a 10-film tribute honouring Ken Takakura, who passed away in November last year.
As is customary at TIFF, the vast majority of films will be screened with English subtitles. Most of the action centres around Roppongi Hills, but events also take place in Shinjuku (Piccadilly, Wald9, Toho Cinemas), at the National Film Centre and Kabukiza Theatre. Tickets go on sale at noon on October 10.
Additionally, the Roppongi Hills Arena is where to sample some of the fanciest food truck grub you'll ever find: contributors include Ginza's Sushi Yoshitake and French fine dining joint Tateru Yoshino – who have obviously toned down their prices for the occasion. The food trucks are open and serving between October 23 and 31 (11am-8.30pm, Oct 31 3pm-7pm).