Rolf de Heer discusses FIAPF A-list impact at Tokyo Film Festival

Rolf de Heer, the Australian director heading the competition jury, told reporters at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival on Tuesday that the International Federation of Film Producers Associations’ (FIAPF) decision to make “A‑list” status official matters a great deal to some people, but not at all to others. Tokyo is one of the 17 festivals now formally recognised on the new list.

FIAPF announced the change in March after a decade of informal rankings that left many festivals in a gray area. The federation now classifies festivals into A, B and C tiers, with the A‑list reserved for events that meet strict criteria on budget, market impact, and industry participation. The move is intended to bring transparency to the global festival circuit and help producers, distributors and sponsors decide where to invest. Tokyo’s inclusion joins long‑standing A‑list festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Toronto and Sundance, and reflects the city’s growing market share in Asian cinema.

De Heer said the new label will not dramatically alter the Tokyo festival’s program, but it could affect how filmmakers and financiers view the event. “For some, being on the A‑list opens doors to funding and distribution,” he explained. “For others, the festival’s spirit and audience experience remain the same.” Industry observers note that the designation may boost ticket sales, attract higher‑profile premieres, and increase government support. However, critics warn that the hierarchy could pressure festivals to chase commercial hits at the expense of experimental work.

The next step is for FIAPF to monitor how the A‑list status influences festival operations over the coming year. Organisers of the Tokyo International Film Festival say they will use the recognition to negotiate better deals with streaming platforms and to attract more international submissions. Filmmakers can expect clearer pathways to market, while audiences may see a broader slate of high‑profile films. Whether the label reshapes the festival’s identity remains to be seen, but the industry will be watching how the new classification plays out in practice.