4th Yokohama International Film Festival: Koichi Sato Named Ambassador; Johnnie To and Lin Chi-ling Join Jury; Major Collaboration with Detective Conan Movie

The Yokohama International Film Festival Executive Committee (Chairman: Mitsuru Kanno) will host the '4th Yokohama International Film Festival' in the Yokohama Minato Mirai area. This event was established to promote the charm of Yokohama—one of Japan's leading port cities and a center for culture and art—both domestically and internationally.

From May 1 (Fri) to May 5 (Tue/Holiday), 2026, various events such as the 'Red Carpet,' 'Onboard Party,' 'New Actress Audition,' 'Eve Gala Party,' 'Japanese Night,' and 'Bayside Party' will take place over five days. Furthermore, a new Competition section starts this year, where the Grand Prix will be selected from works collected from around the world.

### Message from Ambassador Koichi Sato

'I believe that an international film festival is an important opportunity to deepen our understanding of how universal human emotions and specific actions are expressed differently depending on foreign religions, cultures, and customs.'

'It has been nearly half a century since I entered the world of film. Unlike the beginning, people in countries that used to have no interest outside their own culture now seem to show understanding and interest in the customs of other nations.'

'I would like to support the Yokohama International Film Festival so that films can become an even broader bridge between people around the world.'
— Koichi Sato

### Special Collaboration: Yokohama International Film Festival x Detective Conan: Highway no Datenchi

A variety of collaborations will be implemented between the festival and the latest Detective Conan movie, 'Detective Conan: Highway no Datenchi,' which is set in the city of Yokohama!

### Featured Films at the 4th Yokohama International Film Festival

* **Opening Film:** *Poupelle of Chimney Town: The Promised Clock Tower* (Dir: Yusuke Hirota)
* **Closing Film:** *Mirai* (Dir: Takahisa Zeze)
* **Centerpiece Film:** *Nameless* (Dir: Hideo Jojo)
* **Special Invitation:** *Detective Conan: Highway no Datenchi* (Dir: Takahiro Hasui)
* **Special Invitation:** *Election 2* (Dir: Johnnie To)
* **Shochiku 130th Anniversary:** *TOKYO Taxi* (Dir: Yoji Yamada)
* **Official Invitations:** *MOVE MAKER The Travis Payne Story*, *NEW GROUP*, *The Gaze of Sisyphus*, *Agito: Psychokinesis War*, *Chaser Game W*, *Gedo no Uta SEASON 2*, *Mystery Arena*, *Oni no Hanayome*, *Connecting Days*, *FUJIKO*, *Symphony No.0*
* **YIFF Selection:** *Tokyo Escape*, *Waiting at Sea*, *Adrenal*, *DUKAAN*, *Emerging from the Shadows*, *God of Curling*, *Daydream Orange*, *The Final Cut*, *Destiny Agent*, *Observer Overcrowded City*, and more.

### Yokohama International Film Festival Competition 2026

A Competition section is newly established this year. The Grand Prix will be decided from international submissions.

* **Nominated Works:** *Numbness*, *Audition 109*, *Erica*, *Lone Samurai*, *Killer #4*, *Gorilla Hall*, *A Walk Along the Borne*, *Bridge of Darkness*, *THE INVESTIGATOR*, *Filming Akira Kurosawa*.

### Jury Members

The Jury President is world-renowned Hong Kong director Johnnie To, and the Special Juror is Taiwanese actress Lin Chi-ling. The jury also includes Katsuhide Motoki (Director), Toshiaki Nakazawa (Producer), and Ryuhei Maruyama (Actor/Musician).

### Screening Theaters

* Lawson United Cinema STYLE-S Minato Mirai
* AEON Cinema Minato Mirai
* kino cinéma Yokohama Minato Mirai
* Cinema Jack & Betty
* Kenmin Kyosai Cinema Hall