Japan’s cinematic spotlight at Venice Production Bridge
A unique blend of cultures and creativity
The Venice Production Bridge (VPB) is set to shine a spotlight on Japan, alongside Wallonia-Brussels and Luxembourg, in its upcoming edition. This year, the event will feature a fascinating mix of projects involving Japanese directors, producers, and backers. These projects will be showcased in the Venice Gap-Financing Market from August 30 to September 1, where filmmakers and producers will seek to secure the remaining 30% of their financing through one-on-one meetings with key decision-makers.
Bridging the gap: Financing and adaptation
The VPB’s Venice Gap-Financing Market is a crucial platform for projects that have already secured 70% of their funding. Here, filmmakers will engage with financiers, post-production houses, and other industry professionals to complete their budgets. Additionally, the Book Adaptation Rights Market will run concurrently, featuring thirty international publishing houses and literary agencies, including two Japanese publishers supported by the Japan External Trade Organization.
Japan’s cinematic rise
VPB head Pascal Diot explains that Japan’s selection as an international focus is partly due to a recent film co-production agreement between Japan and Italy. This agreement has opened new avenues for collaboration and showcases Japanese talent and projects within the Venice Production Bridge, particularly in the Venice Gap-Financing Market.
Immersive experiences
Japan’s contribution to immersive works is another significant factor. The country will have a dedicated stand on the Venice Immersive Island, presenting immersive projects to both professionals and the public. Diot emphasizes that Japan still needs to attract international co-productions, and the VPB is the ideal venue for this.
Highlighted projects
First Virtual Suit
One of the standout projects in the Japan Focus is Kazuki Yuhara’s “First Virtual Suit”. This immersive interactive experience, produced by Tokyo-based CinemaLeap, utilizes MR and VR technologies. Users will don a Meta Quest 3×4 headset to join a high school boy’s quest in near-future Japan to find his avatar and discover his true self through music and dance. CinemaLeap representative Tetsuya Ohashi notes that the project has already received partial funding from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. The team is now seeking foreign production and exhibition partners to bring this unique experience to a global audience.
Movie Kintsugi
Another intriguing project is Eva Knopf’s “Movie Kintsugi”, a hybrid documentary inspired by the Japanese craft of kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with lacquer and gold dust. The film will incorporate fragments of a 1920s silent film by Japanese master Yasujiro Ozu into the story of a young woman in contemporary Tokyo. Ryohei Tsutui, a representative from the film’s Japanese production partner Trixta, believes that the VPB is the perfect platform to announce their project and seek the necessary partners to move it forward.
Animation co-productions
The VPB will also host a panel on September 1, focusing on animation co-productions between Japan and Europe. Organized in cooperation with the Annecy Animation Film Festival’s MIFA market, the panel will feature executives from Japanese production and distribution company Asmik-Ace and animation house Dwarf Studios. This discussion aims to explore the potential for collaboration in the animation industry, which has traditionally been insular in Japan.
The future of international co-productions
International co-productions are relatively rare in Japan’s industry, where production partners are typically domestic media companies. However, all Japan Focus projects at the VPB are either co-productions or have the potential to become so. Diot hopes that these projects will meet the right decision-makers to complete their budgets and bring their visions to life.
Personal reflections
As a cinema and TV series enthusiast, the Venice Production Bridge’s focus on Japan is particularly exciting. The blend of traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern storytelling techniques, as seen in “Movie Kintsugi,” offers a unique narrative experience. Similarly, the immersive nature of “First Virtual Suit” promises to push the boundaries of how we engage with stories.
For those interested in exploring these projects further, you can watch the trailers and find more information on the following links:
The VPB’s efforts to foster international co-productions and showcase innovative projects highlight the evolving landscape of the global film industry. By bringing together diverse talents and perspectives, events like the VPB pave the way for groundbreaking cinematic experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide.