TIFF will show a variety of excellent films from around the world under nine main sections. In order to make the concepts of each category more distinct, three sections are newly added this year: Panorama, Japan Now, Japanese Classics.
 
Competitive
Competition
TIFF’s principal section and the highlight of the film festival, Competition showcases feature films that were completed after January 2015. 15 films from around the world will be selected for screening at the festival. The International Competition Jury of five international cineastes will award the Tokyo Grand Prix, Special Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Artistic Contribution. The winners will be announced at the Closing Ceremony.
 
Asian Future
“From Asia to the World and to the future!” Asian Future will showcase films by young directors who have directed up to three feature films. Outstanding works from the Asian region, which includes Japan and the Middle East, will be selected for the festival. Members of some films’ staff and casts will be invited to participate in festival event and industry networking sessions. “Best Asian Future Film Award” and “The Spirit of Asia Award by the Japan Foundation Asia Center” will be awarded to the winners.
 
Japanese Cinema Splash
Japanese Cinema Splash is a section which features international promotion of Japanese independent films. The section will showcase exceptionally unique, creative and challenging films from the growing Japanese film industry, regardless of the stage of the director’s careers. The selected films will be actively promoted not only to the general public but also to international film festival programmers, press and film buyers from overseas.
 
Showcasing
Special Screenings
Special Screenings shows high-profile films, both domestic and international, that have not been released in Japan. The glamorous Opening and Closing screenings are a part of this line-up. Many of the invited guests associated with the films will attend the celebrations, including the Carpet welcome, and make stage appearances.
 
Panorama NEW
Panorama features premiere screenings of a diverse array of brand new films brought together for their originality and variety. Encompassing stimulating films whose genres range from human drama to horror, animation, and more, the section showcases the diversity of film, while the attendance of special guests will make for lively and entertaining experiences.
 
Japan Now NEW
Japan Now looks back on the past year in Japanese film and showcases several works representative of Japan. Selections for this section are made from the unique perspective of TIFF and offer an overview of the current state of Japanese film, while also giving a multifaceted look at the country today. The section will highlight outstanding directors, and offer special screenings of their films to boost their recognition.
 
World Focus
World Focus showcases internationally acclaimed films by noted directors that have recently been completed but not yet released in Japan. The section features films that have created a sensation on the international film festival circuit. More than half of the films screened in the World Focus were later released at theaters in Japan.
 
Closing-up
The Japan Foundation Asia Center presents CROSSCUT ASIA
Starting from the last year, the Japan Foundation Asia Center and TIFF together launched “CROSSCUT ASIA”, the showcase of Asian films focusing on particular countries, directors, actors, and themes. Following on as the second part of the series― which began with a special program on Thai cinema in the previous year―this year’s CROSSCUT ASIA features the Philippine cinema which boasts a rich history and is now a “Third Golden Age.”
 
Japanese Classics NEW
Japanese Classics features digitally restored classic Japanese films and provides an opportunity to reflect on the many masterpieces of Japanese film.