The Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof and Japanese-Korean director Mipo O will receive the prestigious Kurosawa Akira Award at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival in 2026. Festival organizers announced the two filmmakers as this year’s recipients of the honor.
The award celebrates filmmakers whose work has made a lasting impact on cinema. It also recognizes artists whose vision could influence the future of filmmaking.
The pairing brings together two very different creative voices. Mipo O is known for intimate, character-driven stories about families and everyday life. Meanwhile, Rasoulof has gained global attention for films exploring personal responsibility, oppression and moral dilemmas.
The festival will take place from October 26 to November 4, 2026. Screenings and events will be held across Tokyo’s Hibiya-Yurakucho-Marunouchi-Ginza area.
A Shared Honor for Two Different Visions
The Kurosawa Akira Award was revived in 2022 after a 14-year gap. Named after legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, the honor celebrates directors who have made significant creative contributions to cinema.
At the same time, the award looks ahead. It recognizes filmmakers who could help shape the next chapter of international cinema.
For 2026, the selection committee included veteran directors Yoji Yamada and Lee Sang-il. Cinematographer Akiko Ashizawa and TIFF Programming Director Shozo Ichiyama were also part of the committee.
Last year’s recipients were Lee Sang-il and Chloé Zhao. This year, the honor goes to Rasoulof and Mipo O.
For Rasoulof, the recognition comes after years of international acclaim and professional challenges. For Mipo O, it arrives two decades after her feature directorial debut.
Rasoulof’s Fight for Cinema
Mohammad Rasoulof has become one of Iran’s most internationally respected independent filmmakers. His films often examine the pressure individuals face under restrictive systems.
More importantly, they explore the moral choices people make in difficult situations. As a result, his stories often connect personal struggles with wider social realities.
However, Rasoulof’s filmmaking journey has not been easy. According to TIFF, he has faced censorship, prison sentences and filmmaking restrictions in Iran.
Despite these challenges, he continued to make films. Some were reportedly shot secretly and outside official oversight.
International Recognition for Rasoulof
Rasoulof’s international breakthrough came with There Is No Evil. The film won the Golden Bear at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival.
It was also presented at the 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival. The recognition helped further establish Rasoulof as an important voice in contemporary world cinema.
Later, he received the Special Jury Prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival for The Seed of the Sacred Fig. The film was subsequently selected by Germany as its entry for the Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
Therefore, the Kurosawa Akira Award adds another major international honor to Rasoulof’s career.
The Weight of The Seed of the Sacred Fig
The Seed of the Sacred Fig became a major chapter in Rasoulof’s career. Set against the backdrop of Iran’s women’s movement, the film explores personal and institutional pressures within an authoritarian system.
At the same time, the film’s journey closely reflected the filmmaker’s own circumstances.
According to TIFF, Rasoulof left Iran secretly shortly before the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. He had also been sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran.
Nevertheless, the award announcement focuses strongly on his filmmaking. TIFF’s selection committee highlighted his humanist perspective and his continued exploration of human rights and state oppression.
Rasoulof Reflects on Kurosawa’s Legacy
Rasoulof also reflected on Akira Kurosawa’s influence while responding to the honor. He described Kurosawa’s films as deep examinations of the human condition.
He particularly highlighted the filmmaker’s interest in moral choices during moments of crisis. In addition, Rasoulof praised Kurosawa’s visual storytelling and his observations of humanity, nature and the world.
That connection makes the Kurosawa Akira Award especially meaningful for Rasoulof. Like Kurosawa, his films often place individuals and their choices at the center of larger social conflicts.
Mipo O’s Two Decades Behind the Camera
Meanwhile, Mipo O receives the honor after two decades as a feature filmmaker. Her directorial career began in 2006.
Before becoming a director, she worked as a script supervisor. She also studied at Osaka University of Arts.
Later, she wrote The Sakais’ Happiness. The project won the Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award before she directed the film herself in 2006.
Her career gained further momentum with Here Comes the Bride, My Mom! in 2010. The film received the Kaneto Shindo Award Gold Prize.
Then, in 2014, The Light Shines Only There brought her the Best Director Award at the Montreal World Film Festival. The film was also selected as Japan’s submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
As a result, Mipo O strengthened her presence on the international festival circuit.
A Return to Feature Filmmaking
Mipo O later stepped away from feature filmmaking following the birth of her two children. However, she eventually returned to the director’s chair.
In 2024, she released Living in Two Worlds. The film marked her first feature in nine years.
The movie was selected for competition at the Shanghai International Film Festival. It also helped introduce her work to a new generation of international viewers.
More recently, her film How Dare You? has continued that journey. TIFF highlighted the movie’s portrayal of children’s energy and perspective while recognizing Mipo O’s broader body of work.
Why Mipo O’s Cinema Stands Out
Mipo O’s films often focus on people living on the margins of society. However, they rarely present characters in simple terms.
Instead, her stories explore different sides of human behavior. They also avoid reducing people to straightforward categories of right and wrong.
Her work frequently explores children and family relationships. This approach can be seen in films such as Being Good, Living in Two Worlds and How Dare You?.
According to TIFF’s selection committee, her cinema offers a multifaceted view of individuals. Consequently, her characters often feel complex, personal and relatable.
A Festival Connecting Past and Future
The 2026 Tokyo International Film Festival is also bringing together different generations of cinema.
The festival has announced several major programs. These include a retrospective dedicated to legendary Japanese filmmaker Kenji Mizoguchi and an animation symposium.
Additionally, TIFF is continuing initiatives designed to strengthen international connections for Japanese cinema.
The festival’s official poster was also created in collaboration with Mipo O. It features young actor Shimada Tetta from How Dare You?.
The design reflects TIFF’s 2026 theme of connecting audiences and generations through cinema.
The Kurosawa Legacy Continues
The Kurosawa Akira Award plays an important role in keeping Akira Kurosawa’s legacy connected to contemporary filmmaking.
TIFF revived the award in 2022 after a 14-year hiatus. The revival was supported by Capcom.
This year, the festival will also celebrate Kurosawa’s work through special screenings. The program includes 4K restorations of Sanshiro Sugata and Ikiru.
In addition, audiences will be able to revisit films admired by Kurosawa. These include Charlie Chaplin’s The Circus and Abbas Kiarostami’s Where Is the Friend’s House?.
Therefore, the festival creates a dialogue between cinema’s past and present.
What the 2026 Honor Represents
For Mipo O, the award arrives during the 20th anniversary of her directorial debut. She described the recognition as a moment of gratitude and acknowledged the actors, crews, audiences and filmmakers who supported her career.
For Rasoulof, meanwhile, the award recognizes a body of work developed despite major restrictions on his filmmaking career. His films have nevertheless reached leading international festivals and audiences.
Together, Rasoulof and Mipo O represent two distinct approaches to contemporary filmmaking. Their stories, themes and creative journeys are different, yet both have earned recognition for their contribution to cinema.
As the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival approaches, the Kurosawa Akira Award will be one of its key highlights.
Follow the latest entertainment and world cinema updates for more stories from the Tokyo International Film Festival.
About the author
Neha Nikharge is Assistant Editor at Awesome TV and a writer for AWSM Times. Neha covers Bollywood, OTT releases, celebrity interviews and pop culture for South Asian audiences in the US and around the world, and has written more than 4,500 stories for Awesome TV. Story tips and corrections: hello@awesometv.com.
Where to Watch / Shop
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Awesome TV earns from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Watch on Amazon
