On September 19, actress Kuriyama Chiaki appeared at the Roppongi Academy Hills in Tokyo for the second press conference for the "26th Annual Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF)" (October 17 � 25), where it was announced that she will serve as the "Festival Muse". 

Kuriyama was happy as she talked about her role in Asia's largest film festival with, "It is an honor for me to be able to help this magnificent film festival, which connects Japan with the rest of the world," and talked about her aspirations with, "I will work hard on this while also enjoying the festival." 

Additionally, she said, "I would like people to get to know Japanese culture through the film festival," to which the MC, announcer Kasai Shinsuke, jokingly stated, "And then you'll also market yourself (to the world)?" She responded, "I did not even think of that!" Kuriyama will also participate in the ceremony and other events at the TIFF.

TIFF is Japan's only film festival regulated by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations and it began in 1985. There are five categories for films that will be screened this year during the 9-day festival; they are as follows: "Competition" which is to chose the  "Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix", "Special Screenings",  "Asian Future", "Japanese Cinema Splash", and "World Focus".

Also appearing at the press conference were actress Nikaido Fumi, who plays the main character in the competition entry film "Hotori no Sakuko", and the film's director Fukada Koji along with director Sasaki Hideo, who is the director of another competition entry film "Sutegataki Hitobito".

Source and Image(s): Oricon