The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival is set to bestow its esteemed Kurosawa Akira Award upon two distinguished directors: Iran's Mohammad Rasoulof and Japan's O Mipo. This recognition highlights their exceptional cinematic achievements and their profound impact on the global film landscape. Rasoulof, who courageously defied an eight-year prison sentence in his home country to continue his work, and O Mipo, celebrated for her compelling narratives and artistic vision, represent the diverse and powerful voices in contemporary cinema.

The selection committee, comprising renowned figures like filmmakers Yamada Yoji and Lee Sang-il, esteemed cinematographer Ashizawa Akiko, and TIFF programming director Ichiyama Shozo, made the announcement. This award, which saw a hiatus of 14 years before its revival in 2022 with the support of Capcom Co., Ltd., aims to honor individuals whose work resonates with the groundbreaking spirit of the legendary Akira Kurosawa. Last year's recipients were Lee and Chloé Zhao, further cementing the award's status as a beacon of cinematic excellence.

Mohammad Rasoulof's journey as a filmmaker has been marked by both critical acclaim and personal adversity. In 2020, he was awarded the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for his film “There Is No Evil,” a powerful exploration of moral choices under oppressive regimes, which also screened at the 33rd TIFF. More recently, his work “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” earned the Special Jury Prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and was Germany's Oscar submission for Best International Feature. Rasoulof completed this film under challenging circumstances, secretly leaving Iran just before Cannes to avoid imprisonment. His career is a testament to artistic resilience, often creating and distributing his films covertly to reach international audiences.

The committee lauded Rasoulof's recent productions for their 'humanist perspective,' noting how his films empathetically portray even those involved in oppressive systems as ordinary individuals. Rasoulof expressed deep gratitude for the Kurosawa Award, acknowledging Kurosawa's films as profound examinations of the human condition and moral dilemmas during crises.

O Mipo's career began in the film industry as a script supervisor, gaining experience at Obayashi Nobuhiko’s production company. Her directorial debut came in 2006 with “The Sakais’ Happiness.” She achieved significant international recognition when “The Light Shines Only There” (2014) secured the best director award at the Montreal World Film Festival and was Japan’s official entry for the Academy Awards. Her 2015 film, “Being Good,” was honored as the best Asian film at the Moscow International Film Festival. After a nine-year break to focus on her family, she returned to filmmaking with “Living in Two Worlds” (2024), which competed at the Shanghai Film Festival, followed by her latest, “How Dare You?” (2025), featured in competition at Zlín.

O Mipo conveyed her profound gratitude and humility upon receiving the award, particularly as it coincides with the 20th anniversary of her debut. She reflected on the crucial support she received from the Shindo Kaneto Award in 2010, which empowered her to continue making films. Despite a gradual progression in her career, she views the Kurosawa Akira Award as an exceptional moment of fortune, allowing her to truly appreciate her cinematic journey.

In addition to the main awards, the festival will feature a special program showcasing Kurosawa’s cinematic influences and his own masterpieces. This lineup includes Charles Chaplin’s classic “The Circus” (1928), alongside 4K restored versions of Kurosawa’s “Sanshiro Sugata” (1943) and “Ikiru” (1952), as well as Abbas Kiarostami’s “Where Is the Friend’s House?” (1987).

Isomura, recipient of the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Supporting Actor for “The Moon,” will preside over the jury for the Ethical Film Award. This jury will also include three members from TIFF’s student PR team. The Ethical Film Award, established in 2023 with Sumitomo Corporation's backing, aims to recognize films that address critical social issues such as environmental concerns, poverty, discrimination, and diversity. This year's nominees for the award are Brenda Lígia’s “Amadeo and the Hypothetical New World” (Brazil), Isabelle Stever’s “I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming” (Germany/Ukraine), and Vee Shi’s “Time and Tide” (Australia).

Isomura underscored cinema's distinctive capacity to compel viewers to pause and deeply engage with societal issues, arguing that genuine comprehension emerges from this reflective process, experienced through the characters' lives and emotions rather than through superficial observation. Isomura, also the host of the Shizuoka Film Festival in his native city, has a significant presence on Netflix with projects like “Alice in Borderland.” His upcoming work, “Did Someone Happen to Mention Me?”, will be globally released on Netflix on October 22. The Ethical Film Award ceremony, which will include a discussion with Isomura, is scheduled for November 2. The Tokyo International Film Festival will run from October 26 to November 4, with its TIFFCOM market held from October 28 to 30.