TIFFCOM, the leading content market in Asia is affiliated with Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). Featuring a variety of content holders from film, TV, animation etc., the market has been drawing in much interest from influential buyers within Asia and beyond.
The event will bring together a wide range of content holders, including those in film, TV, and animation, alongside leading buyers from around the world. In addition to sellers and buyers, Industry professionals will also attend for purposes such as international co-production, participating in seminars on the latest industry trends, and engaging in networking opportunities.
TIFFCOM 2024 will be held for three days from October 30th (Wed.) to Nov.1st (Fri.) during the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival. Its outline was announced at the 37th TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Press Conference yesterday, September 25th.
Expanded Seminars to Deliver the Latest Insights from the Audio-Visual Industry
Due to last year’s fully booked seminars, we have expanded to three venues and significantly increased the number of seminar titles. Key figures and creators from content industries around the world will take the stages to share the latest trends, success stories, and collaborations with overseas partners in film, TV, and animation. With a focus on Asia and Japan, these sessions will offer participants detailed insights.
Support for Audiovisual Projects and International Co-Productions
Two prominent initiatives within TIFFCOM have been gaining attention in recent years for supporting the production of audiovisual works. The “Tokyo Gap-Financing Market” focuses on financing and international co-production, as well as overseas expansion for feature films. The “Tokyo Story Market,” which specializes in the book adaptation rights for original works owned by Japanese publishers, supports their international audiovisual adaptations. TIFFCOM facilitates matchmaking of projects and stories with producers and investors, thereby fostering the audiovisual productions across borders.
Today, content from Japan and Asia is attracting significant attention globally. We will continue to actively contribute to the development of the audiovisual and content industries in Tokyo, the creative hub of Asia and the center where Japanese content comes together. Please look forward to this year’s TIFFCOM.
Project and IP Markets
Tokyo Story Market
Tokyo Story Market is the market launched last year within TIFFCOM that specialized in the audiovisual adaptation for original stories Japanese publishers own. The market provides opportunities for Japanese publishers of manga, novels, light novels, and other original works to have meetings with film producers invited by TIFFCOM from around the world.
Despite being held for the first time, last year’s event was highly acclaimed, and TIFFCOM aims to expand the number of participating publishers this year.
- October 30th (Wed.) – November 1st (Fri.), 2024
- Venue: TIFFCOM 2024 5F Exhibition Hall
- Participants: Invited film producers and major Japanese publishing companies
Tokyo Gap-Financing Market (TGFM)
TGFM selects feature film projects in the fund-raising stage and provides one-on-one meeting opportunities during TIFFCOM with industry experts who are looking for projects to fund.
The selected projects of TGFM, which aims to fill a gap in the total budget, are characterized by a high level of viability, in comparison with other similar project markets. For sponsors such as producers, sales agents, distributors, financiers, broadcasters and investors, TGFM is an excellent opportunity to find probable high-quality projects, which are carefully selected for TIFFCOM market professionals, from among projects which have already secured a certain amount of production budget.
Many of the TGFM projects from 2020 to 2023 have been completed and received great acclaim at film festivals and theaters around the world. In recent years, an increasing number of Japanese projects have also participated in the search for influential international partners.
Projects by established producers and emerging directors from 24 countries/regions
This year’s TGFM will spotlight projects from Italy in celebration of the call for entries for co-productions under the Italy-Japan Film Co-Production Agreement, which opened in August, 2024. Including these 5 projects specially-selected thanks to the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Italian Ministry of Culture and Cinecittà, 20 projects (14 live-action and 6 animation) in total will participate.
In addition to projects featuring internationally renowned directors and producers, such as Apichatpong Weerasethakul, three projects from Japan have been selected; including Japan-Taiwan-US co-production directed by Tetsuya Mariko of From Miyamoto to You and Destruction Babies; Also selected, as one of the projects from Italy, is the international co-production Children of the River directed by Lisa Takeba from The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time.
TIFFCOM Seminars
Hong Kong Films @ Tokyo
Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB), The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People‘s Republic of China / Hong Kong Film Development Council (HKFDC) / Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency Hong Kong (CCIDAHK) / Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)
[1st Panel] Case Sharing: Winning Projects of Hong Kong-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme
The first two Hong Kong-Japan co-productions to receive accolades from the Hong Kong-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme, ‘All the Things We Have Done Wrong That Led Us to This’ and ‘38.83’ have been awarded a grant of up to HK$ 9 million (approximately US$1.1 million) to assist their production. Award winners Stanley Kwan and Shunsuke Koga, together with their teams, will reveal the unique factors that made their projects stand out among competitors. They will also discuss the challenges foreseen in the actual production, and how they are strategizing to overcome them.
Speakers
Stanley Kwan (Producer: Photo Left), Daishi Matsunaga (Director: Photo Right),
Jun Li (Screenplay)[Winning Project “All The Things We Have Done Wrong That Led Us To This”], Shunsuke Koga (Producer), Vincci Cheuk (Director-Screenplay) [Winning Project “38.83”]
[2nd Panel] Martial Arts on the Silver Screen: Past, Present, and Future
This panel discussion features three renowned action film directors
and actors as they delve into the evolution of martial arts cinema. From the traditional mastery of kung fu classics to the innovative potential of modern action films integrating advanced technology, the action masters will analyze the illustrious past and envision the future of this unique cinematic genre. By sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes and challenges, they will inspire a deeper appreciation for the essence and allure of martial arts on film.
Speakers
Sammo HUNG (Hong Kong actor, martial artist, action choreographer, film producer: Photo Left)
Yasuaki Kurata (Japanese martial artist and actor: Photo Center)
Kenji Tanigaki (Japanese action choreographer and film director: Photo Right)
Generative A.I. in Cinema: Opportunities, Threats, and the Future Landscape
Organizer: UNIJAPAN
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is poised to transform the film industry in unprecedented ways. From revolutionizing content creation to reshaping distribution models and redefining viewership experiences, A.I. offers both remarkable opportunities and significant challenges. This symposium will explore how generative A.I. is set to change the film industry forever, addressing key areas such as creative potential, ethical concerns, and legal implications, including copyright issues. We will also emphasize the potential for co-productions between Japan and other Asian countries, exploring opportunities in the global market, the investment momentum, and the critical need for collaboration in addressing complex issues such as maintaining authentic creativity, preventing AI-driven bias and stereotypes, ensuring copyright protection, and navigating the ethical and legal challenges posed by the rapid adoption of AI in cinema.
Moderator
Dr. Andrijana Cvetkovikj (TIFFCOM Executive Producer, CEO-BrioNexus, Former Ambassador of Macedonia to Japan, Filmmaker)
Yoshitaka Sugihara (Director of Public Policy, Netflix)
Kevin D.C. Chang (CEO, Producer, AI Digital Artist, Metavision Co., Ltd.)
Nicholas Aaron Khoo (Chairman, Digital Media Investment Committee, N PrimePartners Capital)
Overseas Expansion of Japanese Animation and Future Prospects
Organizer: The Association of Japanese Animations
1st Part: Overseas Sales of Japanese Animation in 2023 and Future Forecasts
For the first time ever worldwide, overseas sales data of Japanese animation in 2023 will be revealed and analyzed, along with a forecast of future international sales.
2nd Part: Overseas Expansion of Japanese Animation Studios and Future Prospects
Animation studios that are actively expanding internationally will discuss the current state of their overseas ventures and future strategies, offering insights into the future prospects of Japanese animation’s global expansion.
The Odyssey of Thailand’s boy’s love (BL) and girl’s love (GL) contents Across Genre, Time and Themes
Organizer: Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy
The evolving journey of Thai BL and GL dramas through different relationships, genres, eras and narratives. It reflects the journey from early niche stories to diverse, complex plots that explore themes like love, identity and societal issues. Let’s find out how dynamic growth of these contents from Thailand have adapted, innovated, and resonated with both local and global audiences
