The Japanese film "Rei" directed by Toshihiko Tanaka won the top Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, an annual event for up-and-coming filmmakers.

Director Toshihiko Tanaka (L) is pictured in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on Feb. 2, 2024, after his film "Rei" won the top Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. (Photo courtesy of Toshihiko Tanaka)(Kyodo)

Tanaka's film, which explores human connections through a woman who embarks on a journey through the mountains and her encounter with a deaf photographer, was selected from 14 titles in the feature competition.

Rei is the first feature film by Tanaka, who is a former actor.

Among the Japanese films nominated at the festival in the past, Akira Ikeda's "Anatomy of a Paper Clip" won the top prize in 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

Related coverage:

Miyazaki fantasy anime, Godzilla film among Oscar nominees from Japan

Japan anime giant Miyazaki's latest fantasy wins Golden Globe

Japan anime giant Miyazaki's new work tops U.S. box office