Imagine a film so powerful it not only wins the top prize at a prestigious international festival but also sparks global conversations about history, identity, and conflict. That’s exactly what Annemarie Jacir’s Palestine 36 achieved when it claimed the Grand Prix/The Governor of Tokyo Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival. But here’s where it gets controversial: this epic historical drama, which delves into the 1936 Arab Revolt against British rule in Palestine and the early roots of the Palestine-Israel conflict, has become a lightning rod for discussions about representation and historical narrative. With a stellar ensemble cast including Hiam Abbass, Jeremy Irons, and Liam Cunningham, the film has already captivated audiences worldwide, earning a standing ovation at the Toronto Film Festival and securing Palestine’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards. And this is the part most people miss—Palestine 36 isn’t just a film; it’s a testament to the resilience of Palestinian cinema in a year that’s seen its global rise.
But the Tokyo Film Festival didn’t stop there. Rithy Panh’s We Are the Fruits of the Forest, a Cambodian-French documentary exploring the plight of the Bunong people threatened by climate change, took home the Special Jury Prize. Here’s the thought-provoking question: In an era of environmental crisis, how often do we truly listen to the voices of indigenous communities? Meanwhile, Zhang Lu’s Mothertongue emerged as a double winner, earning Lu the Best Director prize (shared with Italian filmmakers Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis for Heads or Tails?) and Wang Chuanjun the Best Actor award. This critically acclaimed Chinese drama, which premiered in Tokyo, highlights the power of storytelling across cultures.
In a surprising twist, the Best Actress prize was shared by Fukuchi Momoko and Kawase Naomi for their roles in Nakagawa Ryutaro’s Echoes of Motherhood, a Japanese familial drama that premiered at the festival. And this is where it gets even more intriguing: the Audience Award went to Sakashita Yuichiro’s Blonde, a socially charged comedy inspired by a real-life student revolt against Japan’s outdated school rules. What happens when a teacher’s world is upended by his students’ bold protest? It’s a story that resonates far beyond Japan’s borders.
Other notable winners included the Asian Future Best Film Award for Halo, the Kurosawa Akira Award for Lee Sang-il and Chloé Zhao, and the TIFF Lifetime Achievement Award for Yōji Yamada and Sayuri Yoshinaga. The TIFF Ethical Film Award went to White House, further cementing the festival’s commitment to diverse and impactful storytelling. Here’s the final question to ponder: As films like Palestine 36 and Mothertongue push boundaries and challenge perspectives, what role does cinema play in shaping our understanding of the world? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
