TIFFCOM Market Expects Record Attendance, Expands Focus on Asian Content

As a seasoned cinephile with a keen interest in international cinema and its evolution, I find the upcoming TIFFCOM event to be nothing short of exhilarating. The expansion of seminar programming across three locations and the increase in sessions from seven to fifteen is a testament to the ever-growing importance of cross-cultural dialogue in the film industry.

The TIFFCOM, a part of the Tokyo International Film Festival, is anticipating more attendees than last year (3,851), since registration numbers for this year are already equal to what was expected in 2023, before it even begins, as reported by CEO Shiina Yasushi.

This year’s event, comprising both the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market and the Tokyo Story Market, has broadened its seminar offerings considerably. Rather than being held at one site, it will now take place at three different locations. Moreover, the number of sessions has grown from seven to fifteen. According to Shiina, these added sessions will delve into the most recent trends and triumphs spanning various mediums such as film, television, and anime, with a special emphasis on Japan and Asia.

Notable seminars encompass “Artificial Intelligence in Film Production: Prospects, Risks, and Emerging Scenarios,” debates about the future of Japanese animation, as well as workshops that delve into global broadcasting companies’ content plans.

Building on the $95 million in total deal value achieved last year, Shiina foresees an upsurge in business transactions. “The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reshaped audience viewing patterns, propelling the borderless consumption of visual content and broadening the market,” he explained. “This shift has brought to light business models catering to international markets, and we predict that deals will be even more active than they were last year. The seminar agenda mirrors this trend, showcasing discussions on global strategies and robust domestic content from various Asian nations, such as Japan. As globalization advances, Asian countries are increasingly extending their market reach beyond their national borders to the broader Asian region. Establishing a strong presence within Asia initially is a vital step towards eventually penetrating the global market, including Europe and North America.

2021’s event highlights an exclusive emphasis on Italian productions, displaying five projects – three live-action films and two animated series – chosen by the Cinema and Audiovisual Directorate General of the Italian Ministry of Culture and Cinecittà. The attention shifts towards accepting joint collaborations come August 2024, as per the Italy-Japan Film Co-Production Agreement.

TIFFCOM, the event itself, will also feature Road Pictures, a distributor that has thrived with Japanese animation in China’s mainland. This underscores the possibility of Japanese content finding success in worldwide markets. According to Shiina, “In terms of increasing the global reach of IP, Japanese animation and other visual media hold immense potential for achieving commercial success.

Amidst the industry’s hurdles due to COVID-19, Shiina highlighted TIFFCOM’s importance in rebuilding the sector: “The audio-visual industry underwent extraordinary and dramatic transformations during the pandemic, casting doubt on its future. It’s essential to engage with various international counterparts to grasp the current situation, communicate clearly, and establish new connections. International events such as TIFFCOM can serve as invaluable tools for this exact purpose,” Shiina explained.

2024-10-29 11:16

TIFFCOM Market Expects Record Attendance, Expands Focus on Asian Content

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