Tokyo Int'l Film Festival to open and close with world premieres of 'Big Hero 6' and 'PARASYTE'

The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) committee has announced that Disney’s latest animated film, “Big Hero 6,” has been selected as the opening film for the 27th TIFF. The live-action film, “PARASYTE,” which was adapted from the world-acclaimed Japanese comic, has been selected as the official closing film.

“Big Hero 6” is the heartwarming adventure story of Hiro, a 14-year-old robotics prodigy, and a robot called Baymax. The film is set in the fictional metropolis of San Fransokyo (a combination of San Francisco and Tokyo).

“PARASYTE” is directed by one of Japan’s best filmmakers, Takashi Yamazaki (“Always – Sunset on 3rd Street” and “The Eternal Zero”). The film was adapted from a Japanese comic by Hitoshi Iwaaki that was published in the magazine "Gekkan Afternoon" from 1990 to 1995 and sold 11 million copies.

This year's festival will not only be showing films in two additional festival venues – Nihonbashi and the Kabukiza theatre in Ginza – it will also be focusing on animation.

The 27th TIFF will be held Oct 23-31 at Roppongi Hills, TOHO Cinemas Nihonbashi, and other venues in Tokyo. TIFF’s affiliated multi-content market, TIFFCOM2014 (Japan Content Showcase 2014) will take place October 21-23 at the GRAND PACIFIC LE DAIBA in the Tokyo Bay area.

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