Alicia Vikander and Zhang Ziyi at the TIFF red carpet opening event.

29 Oct- The 32nd edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival has kicked off with a star studded glamourous red carpet and opening ceremony.

Yesterday, Hollywood made its presence felt with "Tomb Raider" actress Alicia Vikander - who with Naoki Kobayashi (member of former J-Pop group Exile) and British director Wash Westmoreland - is in the country to promote Netflix's "Earthquake Bird".

The Swedish beauty who wore a beautiful yet demure blue dress, plays an expat in the upcoming movie. It involves an intense love triangle between herself, a Japanese photographer and a new friend, Lily (played by Riley Keough), set against 1989 Tokyo.

"I am really excited and honoured to be in Tokyo. I learned so much about the film and I hope the people of Japan would love the movie and its setting hopefully brings some nostalgia," said Vikander speaking at the red carpet event.

Vikander and her "Earthquake Bird" co-star, Naoki Kobayashi.

Meanwhile other East Asian stars in attendance were Aaron Kwok, Miriam Yeung, and Zhang Ziyi, where the latter is the head judge of the festival's Competition section this year.

Speaking to Cinema Online, Zhang who is pregnant said, "The 14 films to watch for the Competition section and with me being 30-weeks pregnant would be a very special prenatal education."

Miriam Yeung and Aaron Kwok came to say hello at event.

Zhang Ziyi is a stunner at the red carpet.

Fans at the red carpet were in for a surprise as hit Japanese musician and actor, Miyavi, also made an appearance and later a sensational special performance at the opening party.

Miyavi (middle) surrounded by his entourage from American Airlines, who are one of the sponsors of the festival.

Malaysian director Bradley Liew's was also at the opening event. His film, "Motel Acacia", is a Filipino horror about a young man that is groomed by his tyrannical father to take over the motel that is tasked with exterminating immigrants with supernatural means.

Festival Director Taeko Hisamatsu in making his official opening declaration said, "I'm happy we have so many guests from around the world participating. Japan has recently been the focus of a lot of attention, due to the Rugby World Cup, the emperor's enthronement and next year's Olympic and Paralympic games. We have created a program that will help people rediscover the appeal of Japanese cinema."

Held annually at Tokyo's Roppongi Hills, this year, the Tokyo International Film Festival will run from 28 October to 5 November 2019 and showcase films from around the world.