Good evening distinguished guests, it is an honor and a pleasure for my wife Sabina and me to welcome you to the Residence of the Italian Ambassador in Japan. I thank in particular Chiara Mastroianni, Ambassador Ando, Roberto Stabile and the members of the Jury of the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival for their presence.
This year we celebrate this very important Festival at a crucial moment for Italian and Japanese cinema. In fact, last year we reached a significant milestone in our cultural collaboration with the signing of the Film Co-production Agreement that was ratified with remarkable speed and entered into force in August.
As we look ahead to the opportunities that this agreement unveils, we are proud that TIFF has chosen to feature special screenings dedicated to Italy. The retrospective honoring Marcello Mastroianni celebrates the timeless appeal of one of Italy’s cinematic legends on the centenary of his birth and the works of Nanni Moretti offer fresh perspectives to the festival.
These tributes pay homage to Italy’s rich cinematographic legacy and underscore the lasting cultural ties between our two Countries, forged through shared appreciation of storytelling and artistic expression.
But tonight’s reception is more than a celebration; it is a call to action.
Our creative industries can come together to build narratives that transcend borders, blending Italian ad Japanese art, creativity and innovation. We can seize the moment, to turn the vision of the Co-production Agreement into dynamic collaborations and groundbreaking projects that will elevate both Italian and Japanese cinema to new heights.
I therefore encourage each of you to use this occasion to explore new avenues, discover new ambitions and embark on ventures that will allow our film industries to grow together. I am sure that the potential of collaboration is very big, that many opportunities are at hand, and I look forward to the exciting projects that will certainly start in the coming years.
Thank you!