The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) will premiere this year’s trailer in Japanese theaters from Friday, September 19. In addition to Opening Film Climbing for Life and the Centerpiece Tokyo Taxi, the colorful 60-second trailer reveals this year’s Closing Film, as well as the 11 titles from the Gala Selection, which presents high-profile films spotlighted at international film festivals and the latest Japanese blockbusters.
 
38th TIFF Official Trailer:

 
Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet to close the 38th TIFF
This year’s TIFF Closing Film will be Academy Award® winning writer/director Chloé Zhao’s newest film, Hamnet. Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel, the feature follows the powerful story of love and loss behind the creation of William Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece Hamlet. It stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, who convey both the depths of emotion and complexity of their characters’ experiences in triumphant performances. Hamnet has won the People’s Choice Award at the 50th edition of Toronto International Film Festival.
 

 
Director Zhao will be in Tokyo to receive the 2025 Kurosawa Akira Award at TIFF, and her newest masterpiece will mark the closing of the festival.
 
Comment from Ichiyama Shozo, 38th TIFF Programming Director
Featuring a notable historical figure, Hamnet powerfully portrays love and loss from a female perspective, making the themes universally relatable to contemporary audiences. It stands as one of the year’s most remarkable films and is a masterpiece truly worthy of closing this year’s TIFF.
 
Opening Film/ Centerpiece/ Closing Film/ Gala Selection
*Gala Selection follows in alphabetical order

*Footage from Sirat and Sons of the Neon Night is not included in the TIFF Official trailer.
 
Animation Lineup

 

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Brand-new Official Poster Unveiled!
TIFF is also pleased to unveil the official poster for its 38th edition. Following the previous series produced by renowned fashion designer Koshino Junko, the new poster has been created by Japanese graphic designer Oshima Idea, known for film graphics including Shoplifters (2018), Midsommar (Japanese art, 2019), and Look Back (2024). Oshima’s deep commitment to cinematic poster design has led to a collaboration with Imaizumi Rikiya, a leading Japanese director, recognized for films such as Just Only Love (2019), Over the Town (2021), and Teasing Master Takagi-san (2024), to create an original film-tailored poster together.
 

 
Centered on the theme of “to gaze” or “to watch someone,” Imaizumi set the story in a café in Tokyo, where two female characters are discussing such topics as love, war and politics. The older character, who complains about her boyfriend, is played by Shogun breakout Hoshi Moeka, and the younger character, who secretly has feelings for the other woman, is played by Ca Non, a member of idol group Gang Parade. Capturing the dynamics and narratives of these tender scenes in black-and-white still images, the poster evolved into a truly cinematic work.
 
Behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with director Imaizumi and designer Oshima will be available on the TIFF YouTube channel.
 
Comment from Director Imaizumi Rikiya
When I was first introduced to the poster concept by Oshima-san, I came up with the idea of capturing the fundamental aspects of cinema: “to gaze” and “to watch someone.” With Oshima-san and photographer Kimura Kazuhira, with whom I previously worked on Just Only Love and Over the Town, we developed the minimal components: Human presence, a café, and gazes. In considering the significance of films and film festivals during uncertain times, as well as the role of this poster in representing the festival, I sought to address themes of nationality, race, gender, age, borders, exclusion and feelings that are often overlooked. I hope this poster will generate interest in the Tokyo International Film Festival.
 

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TIFF Festival Song by Teen Singer-Songwriter o.j.o
The trailer features the 38th TIFF festival song “Blam!” by o.j.o, a 14-year-old Japanese singer-songwriter recognized for her notable talent in songwriting, composing, arranging and choreographing all by herself. Her talent and growing profile have led some to call her “the next Billie Eilish.” She is aligned with TIFF’s goals, which include fostering emerging talent. The trailer of films from around the world combined with the soundscape of the festival song are sure to heighten the excitement surrounding this year’s film festival.

 
And More: Original Bookmark with Selected Film Quotes added to TIFF Merch
Continuing from last year, TIFF will again collaborate with SCRE:EN, a trending brand from Tokyo Theatres Co., Ltd., to offer “TIFF + SCRE:EN” original merchandise made from discarded cinema screens. New for this year is an exclusive bookmark supervised by Freak’s Store, featuring quotes selected from audience favorites. The six unique designs each reference a quote from one of the following films: Kids Return (1996), Wonder (2018), Inu-Oh (2022), Perfect Days (2023), All the Long Nights (2024) and Faceless (2024).
 
Merchandise will be available starting October 15 at TIFF’s online store (tiffshop.thebase.in), and some items will be available at the festival venue during the event. Crafted from screen materials that have shown numerous films, these items support SDGs and offer film fans a unique piece of cinema history.
 

 
The 38th Tokyo International Film Festival will take place from October 27 (Mon) to November 5 (Wed).