Tokyo – Tokyo Docs, Japan’s premier international documentary festival, will be held from 29 October to 1 November. Until last year, it was held in December every year since 2011. 

Twenty projects by Japanese filmmakers will be pitched to thirty decision-makers from around the world. Five projects originating from outside Japan will be pitched as well. Last year, there was a focus on cooperation with other Asia nations, and this year, the focus will be further intensified to clarify the role of Tokyo Docs as a hub for international co-production in Asia.

Tokyo Docs, which has attracted a great deal of attention for holding Japan’s first full-fledged documentary pitching session, is hosted jointly by Tokyo TV Forum (TTVF), a non-profit organisation established in 2013, and the Association of All Japan TV Programme Production Companies (ATP). The festival will be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and other major media institutions.

Chairperson Yukihiko Amagi commented, “This year, we started the Tokyo Doc Academy to focus on the development of talented individuals and their projects – and as a result we have a great lineup of excellent projects. And I’m looking forward to how our guest decision-makers will evaluate these projects.” Amagi added, “With the projects nominated by documentary festivals and producing organisations in Asia being pitched at Tokyo Docs 2013, I would like to further expand our network of producers throughout Asia.”

The main decision-maker to be invited this year include Nick Fraser (BBC), Annick Jakobowicz (France Television), Catherine Alvaresse (ARTE France), Mette Hoffman Meyer (DR), Tore Tomter (NRK), Tom Koch (PBS Distribution), Claire Aquilar (ITVS), Catherine Olsen (CBC), Paul Lewis (Discover Canada), Vikram Channa (Discovery Networks Asia Pacific), One Hee Yah (MediaCorp), Suh Seung-jae (KBS), Lin Leh-chyun (PTS), Huang Haino (Phoenix Satellite TV), Luc Martin-Gousset (Point du Jour) and Catherine Leclef (CAT & Docs).

In addition, this year 20 filmmakers will be invited from countries and regions throughout Asia. We plan to announce the international co-production of a four-part documentary series title Colours of Asia. This project is a result of discussions between Asian filmmakers and representatives from production companies in Japan on how to promote international co-production.