Kering and the Tokyo International Film Festival

Showcasing Women In Motion at the Tokyo International Film Festival

This fall, Women In Motion returned to Japan with a new Talk and panel of speakers. The event succeeded the program’s initial Talk held in 2019 featuring actor Shinobu Terajima, movie director and photographer Mika Ninagawa, and artist Sputniko!, followed by a second in 2022 with filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda and actor Mayu Matsuoka, and last year’s Talk presenting Bae Doona, Asami Mizukawa and Kayo Washio. 
 

Discovering three perspectives on Japanese cinema

On November 1^st, 2024, Women In Motion hosted an exclusive Talk at TOHO Cinemas Nihonbashi, with Rinko Kikuchi, Hayato Isomura and Makiko Okano under the spotlight. Drawing on their experience, both actors and the producer shared their views on filmmaking in Japan and the role of women within the country’s industry. Filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda delivered an opening speech before the Talk. Watch the replay in full below. 
 

Rinko Kikuchi is a Japanese actor, born in 1981. Internationally acclaimed (Babel, Pacific Rim, Tokyo Vice, The 13 Lords of the Shogun), Kikuchi has won many accolades including Best Actress Award at the 25^th Shanghai International Film Festival for her lead performance in Yoko (2023).

Born in 1992, Hayato Isomura is a Japanese actor known for his diverse roles spanning multiple genres. Isomura successfully showcased his talent in A Family (2020) and What Did You Eat Yesterday? (2021), earning him the Newcomer of the Year Award at the 45^th Japan Academy Film Awards. More recently, he scooped the Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance in The Moon (2023) at the same academy’s 47^th edition.

Makiko Okano received critical acclaim for her productions at the Japanese television station and broadcaster, WOWOW. In 2017, she was awarded both the Broadcast Woman Prize and 70^th Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists in broadcasting by Japan’s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. 2021 saw Okano move to Netflix Japan as executive producer, where she is tasked with creating original Japanese content.
 

A longstanding commitment

Launched by Kering in 2015, in collaboration with the Festival de Cannes, Women In Motion seeks to highlight women in cinema, both in front of and behind the camera. Since the fight for equality in creation extends beyond cinema, the program has expanded to photography, music, choreography, art, and design.

Through its Awards, the program recognizes inspirational figures and talented young women, while its Talks provide an opportunity for leading personalities to share their views on the representation of women in their profession.

Women In Motion and Tokyo International Film Festival

This 36th edition is the third time Women In Motion joins forces with the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). 2019 saw the program spotlight actor Shinobu Terajima, movie director and photographer Mika Ninagawa, and artist Sputniko! at its inaugural Talk. A second followed in 2022, featuring filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda and Japanese actor Mayu Matsuoka.

Exploring three distinct views on cinema

This year, Women In Motion features three leading figures in South Korean and Japanese cinema, namely South Korean actor[TE(1]  Bae Donna, Japanese actor Asami Mizukawa and Japanese producer Kayo Washio. These three talented icons share their distinct views on the cinematic role of women in South Korea, Japan, as well as Hollywood. Together, they also discuss the industry's future and challenges, at TOHO Cinemas.

Filmmaker and 2018 Cannes Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda delivers an opening speech before the Talk.

Launched by Kering in 2015, in collaboration with the Festival de Cannes, Women In Motion seeks to highlight women in cinema, both in front of and behind the camera. Since the fight for equality in creation extends beyond cinema, the program has expanded to photography, music, choreography, art and design.

Through its Awards, the program recognizes inspirational figures and young female talent, while its Talks provide an opportunity for leading personalities to share their views on the representation of women in their profession.

Following a first Women In Motion Talk held at TIFF in 2019, featuring actress Shinobu Terajima, movie director Mika Ninagawa, and artist Sputniko!, the program renews its partnership with the festival. That year, Women In Motion featured filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, who has won numerous domestic and international awards, including the Palme d’Or in Cannes in 2018, and actress Mayu Matsuoka, who appeared in Kore-eda's Shoplifters. Film journalist, Atsuko Tatsuta, was the Talk facilitator.

These two talented icons discuss the role of women in the Japanese film industry and its challenges from their different perspectives as a director and an actress. 

Discover the 2019 edition.