The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival closed November 4, 2026, at Hulic Hall Tokyo, capping a twelve-day run that drew 69,072 cinema admissions and screened 204 films across the Hibiya, Marunouchi, Yurakucho, and Ginza districts.
The Tokyo Grand Prix went to Milcho Manchevski's "Sister Brother Manhole Cover," a multinational co-production from North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, Italy, and the UK. The film centers on two siblings in Skopje surviving by stealing metal objects, including bronze statues and manhole covers. The Grand Prix carries a 3 million yen prize. Jury chair Rolf de Heer presided over the closing ceremony.
Manchevski, known internationally for "Before the Rain" (1994), returns to major festival competition with a portrait rooted in Balkan poverty and survival. The win puts his work back at the center of the international arthouse circuit.
Best Director went to Lisandro Alonso for "Double Freedom" (Chile, Argentina). The Special Jury Prize went to Xun Sun's animated feature "Magic Atlas" from Singapore, a project developed over more than a decade. Best Actress was awarded to Ling Hu for "The Night That Binds Us," and Best Actor to Ryo Narita for "Two Cigarettes, Three Nights."
The Kurosawa Akira Award was shared between Japanese filmmaker Mipo O and Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof. The Global Cinema Leadership Special Award went to Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
