The 20th edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival honours Italian cinema by assigning the Best Artistic Contribution award to Salvatore Maira’s film, Valzer.
This is the first time in the festival’s histor that an Italian film has received such a prestigious award, which in the past has been awarded to such directors as John Burnham and Bertrand Tavernier. This award testifies the film’s widespread critical acclaim with the Japanese audience and Press.
The Italian delegation, invited by the Tokyo Film Festival to present their films, inlcuded directors Salvatore Maira and Daniele Lucchetti, film producer Gianmario Feletti, actress Marina Rocco and Oscar winning composer Nicola Piovani who was chosen as an International Jury member.
Italian cinema was also present in the section World Cinema with Daniele Lucchetti’s film, Mr Brother is an only child.
On occasion of the Tokyo Film Festival, the Italian Cultural Institute in Tokyo in collaboration with Filmitalia and the Turin Piedmont Film commission, gave a Gala dinner on Saturday October 27, in honour of the Italian delegation at the prestigious site of the Italian Cultural Institute of Tokyo.