Cate Blanchett will attend the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival to showcase five short films supported by her Displacement Film Fund.

Actor and producer Cate Blanchett is set to attend the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival to present the Japan premieres of five short films backed by the Displacement Film Fund. The screenings will take place during the festival, which runs from October 26 to November 4, 2026. Following the presentation, Blanchett will participate in a Q&A session alongside directors Mohammad Rasoulof and Shahrbanoo Sadat.

Displacement Film Fund Program

The Displacement Film Fund, co-founded by Blanchett, supports filmmakers who have experienced displacement or have a history of telling stories rooted in those experiences. The fund operates with support from various partners, including founding partner Uniqlo, the Hubert Bals Fund, and the UNHCR. The five films selected for the Tokyo showcase include "Allies in Exile," "Rotation," "Sense of Water," "Super Afghan Gym," and "Whispers of a Burning Scent."

Featured Short Films

The program features diverse narratives from filmmakers across the globe. Hasan Kattan’s "Allies in Exile" documents the experiences of Syrian filmmakers awaiting asylum, while Maryna Er Gorbach’s "Rotation" follows a Ukrainian woman’s transition from civilian life to military service. Mohammad Rasoulof’s "Sense of Water" explores the life of an Iranian writer in exile, and Shahrbanoo Sadat’s "Super Afghan Gym" depicts women gathering in a Kabul gym. Additionally, Mo Harawe’s "Whispers of a Burning Scent" centers on a wedding musician whose private life becomes public.

Additional Honors in Tokyo

Blanchett’s appearance at the festival coincides with her receipt of the Praemium Imperiale Award, which is scheduled to be presented during the same week. Regarding the film program, Blanchett stated that cinematic storytelling plays a vital role in connecting people to the experiences of others, particularly in a world marked by conflict and division.