Rolf de Heer, an Australian filmmaker based in Tasmania, will serve as president of the international competition jury at the Tokyo International Film Festival. De Heer has established himself as a prominent figure in Australian cinema over a career spanning more than four decades, working across drama, black comedy, and politically engaged storytelling.
De Heer’s body of work has earned significant recognition at major film festivals. His 1993 film Bad Boy Bubby received the Special Jury Prize and FIPRESCI Prize at Venice, and four of his subsequent films have been selected for Cannes’ official program, including Ten Canoes, which won the Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize in 2006. More recently, his 2022 feature The Survival of Kindness competed at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the FIPRESCI Prize.
In a statement, de Heer expressed enthusiasm about his appointment, noting that his expanded responsibilities as a filmmaker have limited his ability to view films in theaters. He emphasized the unique opportunity to screen and discuss the international competition’s entries with fellow jurors. De Heer also highlighted Tokyo’s standing as a major film culture destination.
De Heer’s selection as jury president coincides with the festival’s 2026 Australia Spotlight, a dedicated showcase within the World Focus section developed in partnership with the Australian Embassy in Japan. The strand will feature screenings including De Heer’s recent work. Festival director Takeo Hisamatsu praised de Heer’s distinctive artistic vision and decades-long commitment to expanding cinema’s possibilities.
The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival runs from October 26 through November 4, with TIFFCOM, the festival’s film market component, scheduled for October 28-30.
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