July 1, 2020
Tokyo Metropolitan Government,
Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture

Call for aspiring filmmakers and producers to participate in Talents Tokyo 2020

“Talents Tokyo 2020” will be held this year to develop talent in promising filmmakers.
The project will offer aspiring film directors and producers a 6-day talent development and networking program, featuring lectures and presentations from film experts at the forefront of cinema, including individuals affiliated with the Berlinale Talents, who will share their professional experiences.

In past years, participants have gathered in Tokyo to take part in the program, but due to the global coronavirus pandemic, this year’s program will be delivered online.

Applications for the program opened on June 15, 2020. Please see the attached document (PDF:437KB) for further details.

Outline of the program

1 Title

Talents Tokyo 2020

2 Program dates

November 2 (Monday) to 7 (Saturday), 2020 (6 days)

3 Details

Lectures from film experts, including directors and producers
Screening of sample works
Presentation and assessment of projects:
Participants will publicly present a project (i.e. an idea for a feature length film), and will receive advice from experts on various aspects of the project, such as directing, producing and investment viability. Projects will be eligible for the Talents Tokyo Award.Networking with fellow participants and lecturers

4 Eligibility

Upcoming directors and producers from East/South-East Asia

5 Number of participants

12 to 15 participants

6 Application period

Monday, June 15 to Wednesday, July 15, 2020

7 Selection period

Between July and September 2020

8 Organizers

Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Talents Tokyo Executive Committee (TOKYO FILMeX)

9 Cooperation

Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale Talents) – assistance with publicity and providing lecturers

10 Assistance

GOETHE-INSTITUT Tokyo / Tokyo German Cultural Center

11 Schedule

Further details about the project and the application process can be found on the Tokyo Talents website(External link)

• Japanese press release(External link)
• English press release(External link)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be changes to aspects of the project. Any further changes will be announced.

Example of achievements by previous Talents Tokyo participants

(Year of participation indicated in parentheses)

• Anthony CHEN (2010) Director
  Ilo Ilo - Cannes Film Festival Camera d’Or (Best first feature film), Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival Golden Horse Award, TOKYO FIlMeX Audience Award, etc.
• ISHIKAWA Kei (2011) Director
  Gukoroku – Traces of Sin – Venice Horizons Award Nominee. Listen to the Universe – Best Film Award winner at the Mainichi Film Awards.
• Bianca BALBUENA (2012) Producer
  A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery (dir. Lav DIAZ) - Berlinale: Silver Bear winner
• YEO Siew Hua (2015) Director
  A Land Imagined - Locarno International Film Festival Golden Leopard, Displayed at TOKYO FILMeX Competition. Singapore’s submission to the Academy Awards.

Please click here for the original Japanese press release.

Inquiries (in Japanese only)

Project Section Culture Promotion Division Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs Phone: 03-5320-7703 Arts Council Tokyo Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture Phone: 03-6256-8432