Tokyo Film Festival 2025 Honors Chloé Zhao and Lee Sang-il with Kurosawa Akira Award

Celebrating Visionary Filmmakers at TIFF 2025

The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025 is set to honor two acclaimed filmmakers with the Kurosawa Akira Award: Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao and celebrated Japanese filmmaker Lee Sang-il. This award, named after legendary Japanese auteur Akira Kurosawa, is reserved for visionary filmmakers who have made extraordinary contributions to world cinema and are expected to shape the future of the film industry.

Over the decades, this award has been bestowed upon some of the greatest names in cinema, including Steven Spielberg, Yōji Yamada, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Koji Fukada, Xiaogang Gu, and Mouly Surya. Now, Zhao and Lee join this elite list of luminaries.

The Legacy of the Kurosawa Akira Award

The Kurosawa Akira Award is more than just a trophy—it is a tribute to the enduring influence of Akira Kurosawa, whose masterpieces like Seven Samurai and Rashomon redefined world cinema. The award was revived in 2022 after a 14-year hiatus, underscoring the Tokyo International Film Festival’s commitment to honoring filmmakers who carry forward Kurosawa’s spirit of innovation, storytelling, and global artistry.

The 2025 honorees were carefully chosen by a distinguished selection committee comprised of Yamada Yoji, Narahashi Yoko, Kawamoto Saburo, and Ichiyama Shozo, TIFF’s Programming Director. The award ceremony will take place on November 3, 2025, at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, one of the festival’s most anticipated highlights.

Chloé Zhao: A Visionary Bridging Indie and Mainstream Cinema

Chloé Zhao, born in Beijing, has emerged as one of the most important filmmakers of her generation, blending intimate human stories with powerful cinematic vision. Zhao has not only achieved success in independent film circles but has also conquered Hollywood.

• Early Career and Breakthrough
  Her feature debut, Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015), premiered at Sundance and immediately marked her as a promising new voice. In 2017, her film The Rider premiered at Cannes to overwhelming praise, cementing her reputation for crafting deeply humanistic stories.

• Oscar Glory with Nomadland
  With her 2020 film Nomadland, Zhao reached unprecedented heights. The film earned her the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture, making her one of the few women—and the first woman of color—to win the directing Oscar. The film also swept the BAFTAs, Golden Globes, DGA, and PGA Awards, making Zhao a global household name.

• Venturing into Blockbusters
  In 2021, Zhao took on a new challenge by directing Marvel Studios’ Eternals, a bold and visually ambitious project that showcased her versatility in handling large-scale productions.

• Looking Ahead
  Her latest feature, Hamnet, is set to release on December 12, 2025, and anticipation is high. With every project, Zhao continues to push cinematic boundaries, making her a fitting recipient of the Kurosawa Akira Award.

Lee Sang-il: A Japanese Master Storyteller

Lee Sang-il, hailing from Niigata, Japan, has become one of the nation’s most celebrated directors, known for his ability to explore human emotions, morality, and complex relationships. His journey from student filmmaker to internationally recognized director is a testament to his dedication to storytelling.

• Early Recognition
  A graduate of the Japan Institute of the Moving Image, Lee first gained attention with his graduation film Chong, which won four awards, including the Grand Prix at the Pia Film Festival 2000. His 2003 feature Border Line earned him the Shindo Kaneto Award, signaling the arrival of a major new talent.

• Breakthrough with Hula Girls
  In 2006, Lee achieved mainstream recognition with Hula Girls, which won Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Film at the 30th Japan Academy Film Prizes. The film’s uplifting story resonated widely and remains one of his defining works.

• Award-Winning Career
  Lee continued to deliver powerful films such as Villain (2010), which won five awards at the Japan Academy Film Prizes, as well as Unforgiven (2013), Rage (2016), and The Wandering Moon (2022). Each film showcased his talent for nuanced narratives and compelling character studies.

• 2025 Success with Kokuho
  Lee’s latest film, Kokuho, set in the world of Kabuki, premiered at the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and became a box office phenomenon in Japan, breaking records for live-action admissions and surpassing 10 billion yen in ticket sales. This triumph further solidified Lee’s status as a major force in Japanese cinema.

Why This Honor Matters

The Kurosawa Akira Award represents not just recognition of past accomplishments but also confidence in the filmmakers’ ability to shape the future of cinema.

For Chloé Zhao, the award acknowledges her role as a global storyteller who bridges cultures, genres, and audiences. Her journey from indie filmmaker to Oscar winner to blockbuster director reflects her unique versatility and vision.

For Lee Sang-il, the award celebrates his mastery of Japanese storytelling and his ability to bring deeply local yet universally resonant narratives to the screen. His continued success at both domestic box offices and international festivals underscores his importance in world cinema.

Together, Zhao and Lee embody the spirit of Akira Kurosawa: filmmakers who innovate, inspire, and influence across generations.

The Global Importance of the Tokyo International Film Festival

The Tokyo International Film Festival has long been one of Asia’s premier film events, showcasing the diverse voices of world cinema while celebrating Japan’s own contributions to the art form. By reviving the Kurosawa Akira Award in 2022, TIFF reaffirmed its mission to honor not only established legends but also contemporary filmmakers poised to define the cinematic future.

The recognition of Zhao and Lee in 2025 reflects the festival’s commitment to celebrating cross-cultural storytelling—highlighting filmmakers from different backgrounds who share a passion for exploring humanity through film.

Conclusion: Honoring the Future of Cinema

As the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival unfolds, all eyes will be on the Imperial Hotel Tokyo on November 3, 2025, where Chloé Zhao and Lee Sang-il will receive the Kurosawa Akira Award. Their careers, though distinct in style and geography, both embody the bold, human-centered storytelling that Akira Kurosawa himself championed.

This honor not only cements their place in cinematic history but also signals their vital role in shaping the future of world cinema. For film lovers, the recognition of Zhao and Lee serves as a reminder that cinema continues to evolve, thrive, and inspire—just as Kurosawa envisioned.