Negotiating ‘Asianness’ at the Tokyo International Film Festival Local, Regional and International Dynamics Through Programming Practices and Film Markets

In this paper I will trace a brief history of major Asian film festivals to understand how the notion ‘Asianness’ evolved over time and it is expressed nowadays through programming practices markets. Then focus on case study Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) as problematic site where cultural economic dynamics converge. As an A-category festival, TIFF has balance its international status with regional relevance, negotiating in complex relationship involving local industry, since questions ‘Asian cinema’ are deeply linked national. Finally, draw some conclusions, discussing relates other Asia, been used shared effort distinguish themselves from paradigm set by European festivals. However, ongoing process, struggles use unifying element specific interests each festival obstruct possibility create more systematic trans-Asian model.