Tokyo Jury President Rolf de Heer: FIAPF’s Official A-List Status ‘Matters a Great Deal to Some, Not at All to Others’

Australian filmmaker Rolf de Heer, president of the competition jury at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival, offered a measured take on FIAPF’s recent decision to formalize A-list status for 17 festivals worldwide, including Tokyo. Speaking at the festival’s jury press conference, de Heer—known for directing “Bad Boy Bubby” and “Ten Canoes”—suggested the designation may not dramatically alter the event’s character or industry standing. “It matters a great deal to some people, and not at all to others,” he said, underscoring the subjective value of such classifications. FIAPF, the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, announced the official A-list earlier this year, recognizing festivals that meet criteria for competition quality, industry attendance, and market impact. For Tokyo, which has long been considered a major international festival, the formal recognition may bolster prestige and attract more global media attention, but de Heer implied the core mission remains unchanged. The 39th edition, running in late October and early November 2025, features a diverse lineup and a jury led by de Heer, who brings an auteur perspective to the selection process. The FIAPF list, which includes Cannes, Venice, and Berlin, now gives Tokyo equal billing in official industry documents—a potential boon for sponsorship and government support. However, de Heer’s comments suggest that for filmmakers and audiences, the festival’s value lies in its programming and discovery of new voices, not its label. As the global festival circuit becomes more competitive, the real test will be whether the A-list status translates into tangible benefits for Tokyo’s growth and influence in Asia’s film market.