Rolf de Heer to Head Jury at Tokyo International Film Festival

The Tokyo International Film Festival has appointed veteran Australian filmmaker Rolf de Heer as jury president for its upcoming 39th edition, according to a report from Variety.

De Heer will lead the international competition panel, overseeing the evaluation and adjudication of feature titles contending for the festival's main prizes.

Working from Tasmania for more than 40 years, de Heer has built an extensive filmography as a director, writer, and producer across an array of genres and thematic territory in international independent cinema.

His best-known projects include the acclaimed 1993 feature "Bad Boy Bubby," which earned significant recognition on the global circuit after securing key honors at the Venice Film Festival.

## Festival Strategy

Appointing an established independent auteur signals Tokyo's continued emphasis on auteur-driven cinema as it curates its international competition slate alongside its regional programming priorities.

For Hollywood Tomorrow, the choice reflects how major Asian festivals use seasoned global filmmaking talent to anchor competitive credibility during a crowded autumn festival calendar.

Additional jury members and the complete competition lineup for the 39th edition will be announced by festival organizers in the coming months.