Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) and Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) issued a memorandum of cooperation on Wednesday, laying out plans to link up on selections, screenings and guests.
Read more Shanghai Film Festival: Record Number of Entries Unveiled, Strong Asian Focus
The two festivals will recommend films, new talent and international jury members to each other, as well as hold reciprocal screenings and exchang staff. SIFF, which runs June 13-21, will screen 27 Japanese films this year, including Daichi Yoshida‘s Pale Moon, which took the best actress award at last year’s TIFF for Rie Miyazawa, as well as an audience award.
The news follows the recent release in China of Doraemon Stand by Me, the first for a Japanese film in nearly three years. The CGI animation has already taken more than $70 million in China, overtaking its total at the Japanese box office.
Read more Japan Box Office: ‘Tomorrowland‘ Opens on Top, ‘Mockingjay‘ Struggles
The often rocky relations between the two East Asian neighbors took a nosedive at the end of 2012 when the previous Japanese government bought a group of uninhabited islands that China also claims. The Japanese move was an attempt to stop the then governor of Tokyo, a nationalist China-baiter, taking control of them, but was seen in Beijing as provocation. Despite nationalist tendencies within the current Japanese government of Shinzo Abe, relations have shown signs of thawing in recent months.
The 28th edition of TIFF will take place Oct. 22-31.
Twitter: @GavinJBlair
