Japan embraces cutting-edge tech at Tokyo film festival seminar

Transforming film production through innovation

At the Tokyo International Film Festival’s (TIFF) annual Motion Picture Association (MPA) seminar, industry experts convened to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of filmmaking in Japan. The event focused on the impact of emerging technologies on global production and Japan’s strategic efforts to attract international projects. This year’s seminar underscored the dual facets of opportunity and challenge within the Japanese film industry.

New incentives boost Japanese filmmaking

Japan has launched a location incentive scheme offering up to 50% reimbursement on qualifying expenditure in the country, with a cap of JPY 1 billion ($6.66 million) per disbursement. This initiative aims to make Japan a more attractive destination for international filmmakers. Concurrently, TIFFCOM, TIFF’s market arm, highlighted the picturesque locations across Japan’s numerous prefectures, further enticing global creatives.

Strengthening international collaborations

Recently enacted, the Japan-Italy co-production treaty was a key topic at the seminar. Highlighted by Japan’s newly re-elected Prime Minister, Ishiba Shigeru, during TIFF’s opening ceremony, this treaty symbolizes a significant step in fostering international cinematic partnerships. Italy, featured as a focus country at TIFFCOM, showcased five projects at the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market, reflecting the growing collaborative spirit between the two nations.

Insights from industry veterans

The MPA seminar commenced with insights from its senior VP for Asia Pacific region operations, communications, corporate affairs, and administration. Highlighting Japan’s dynamic cultural offerings, he emphasized how Japanese films, television shows, and games are at the forefront of the New Cool Japan strategy. This strategy has been instrumental in drawing global creators to Japan, leveraging government incentives that have quickly revolutionized the creative landscape. Notably, the global anime market’s valuation exceeding $31 billion was also discussed, reaffirming Japan’s cultural influence.

Keynote on local production challenges

Producer Alex Boden, known for the hit series “Tokyo Vice”, offered a keynote on his experiences filming in Japan. Boden emphasized the critical need for improved crew training, noting the industry’s smaller-than-expected size and the shortage of skilled professionals across various roles. He advocated for initiatives to make the industry more appealing to newcomers, underscoring that Japan has great potential to become a top destination for productions of all scales if these challenges are addressed.

The role of virtual production

Oscar-winning VFX supervisor George Murphy, who collaborates with Dimension and DNEG 360, delivered a masterclass on virtual production. Addressing concerns about the possibility of advanced technology overshadowing location shooting in Japan, Murphy suggested the outcome will hinge on economic factors. Drawing comparisons to New Zealand’s development, where initial reliance on imported talent led to a strong native industry exemplified by Weta’s emergence, Murphy stressed the importance of competitive incentives in fostering local talent and industry growth.

Generative AI: A game-changer

Filmmaker Nakajima Ryo discussed the divergent global reactions to his generative AI film, “Who Said Death Is Beautiful?,” highlighting the contrasting receptions at film festivals such as Annecy in France and Bucheon in South Korea. Ryo’s keynote addressed the broader implications of AI in the industry, noting that the involvement of visionary directors like James Cameron with AI companies signals a transformative future. Murphy elaborated on the inevitable integration of AI in production, describing it as a “freight train” poised to reshape the creative process, regardless of individual opinions on its appropriateness.

Preserving cultural authenticity

Despite technological advancements, the speakers collectively emphasized the irreplaceable value of physical location shooting. Boden passionately argued that live, on-location filming offers an immersive and convincing authenticity that technology cannot replicate. This sentiment underscores the importance of preserving cultural richness and creative inspiration by filming in real-world locations.

Share the journey

As the MPA seminar at TIFF concludes, it’s clear that Japan is poised to become a hub for international film production, blending technological innovation with cultural depth. Stay informed on this exciting evolution by following our updates and sharing this article on social media. Japan’s cinematic landscape is evolving—be a part of the conversation and witness the transformation!