Italian
Tiffcom market expects unprecedented attendance as it broadens Asian content focus
Anticipating a record-breaking year
The Tiffcom market, integral to the Tokyo International Film Festival, is gearing up for what promises to be its biggest year yet. With registrations already soaring past last year’s total of 3,851 participants even before its official opening, industry insiders are buzzing with excitement.
Shiina Yasushi, CEO of the event, expressed immense optimism about this year’s turnout. “We are witnessing unprecedented enthusiasm for this edition,” he shared, reflecting on the market’s growing global significance.
Expanding horizons with diverse programming
This year’s Tiffcom event doesn’t just stop at increasing attendance. It has significantly broadened its scope to include the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market and the Tokyo Story Market. The seminar lineup has expanded from a singular venue to three distinct locations, and the number of sessions has more than doubled. Moving from seven to fifteen sessions, these new additions promise fresh insights and diverse discussions.
Yasushi noted, “These sessions will delve into the latest trends and success stories across multiple genres, including film, TV, and anime, with a special focus on Japan and Asia.”
Key seminars and highlights
Among the most anticipated seminars are:
Generative A.I. in Cinema: Opportunities, Threats, and the Future Landscape
This session will explore how A.I. is reshaping the cinematic landscape, considering both potential benefits and challenges.
The Future of Japanese Anime
An insightful discussion about the current state and future prospects of Japanese anime, including industry strategies and trends.
International Content Strategies by Major Broadcasters
Leading broadcasters will share their strategies and experiences in navigating the complexities of global content distribution.
Transformation driven by the pandemic
Last year, Tiffcom facilitated deals worth a staggering $95 million. Yasushi believes this figure could see a significant increase this year. “The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the viewing habits of audiences, accelerating the borderless nature of visual content and expanding the market,” he explained. This evolution in viewer behavior has spotlighted business models with a global focus, and deals are expected to intensify even further.
Global strategies and strong regional content
The seminar lineup is reflective of these trends, featuring sessions on global strategies and robust domestic content from various Asian countries, including Japan. As globalization advances, Asian countries are transcending their local markets, pushing their presence into the broader Asian region and eventually the global market, including Europe and North America.
Italian cinema in the spotlight
This year’s Tiffcom puts a special focus on Italy, showcasing five standout projects, three of which are fiction features, and two are animated productions. These have been selected by the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Italian Ministry of Culture and Cinecittà. This spotlight initiative follows the opening of submissions for co-productions under the Italy-Japan Film Co-Production Agreement in August 2024.
Japanese animation’s international potential
In an exciting development, Tiffcom will host Road Pictures, a distributor that has achieved notable success with Japanese animation in mainland China. This highlights the expanding potential for Japanese content in international markets. Yasushi emphasized, “In advancing the multi-expansion of IP, Japanese animation and other audio-visual works possess significant potential for success in the global market.”
Addressing industry challenges
Yasushi candidly addressed the challenges the industry faces, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The audio-visual industry faced unprecedented and intense changes during the pandemic, leaving the future uncertain. It is crucial to meet with various international players to understand the current landscape, communicate effectively, and expand new networks. International markets like Tiffcom can serve as invaluable platforms for this purpose.”
Market recovery and future opportunities
The event’s role in fostering industry recovery is pivotal. By bringing together industry leaders and facilitating meaningful conversations, Tiffcom indeed positions itself as a critical hub for understanding market dynamics, forming collaborations, and navigating the industry’s future.
As the anticipation builds and registrations climb, Tiffcom stands ready to mark a significant milestone in its history. Its expanded programming and focus on global strategies underscore the market’s commitment to fostering a more interconnected and resilient audio-visual industry.
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