TIFFCOM Market Expects Record Attendance, Expands Focus on Asian Content

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran TIFFCOM, the film market attached to the Tokyo International Film Festival, is poised to exceed last year’s attendance of 3,851 participants, with visitor registrations already matching 2023’s total ahead of its opening, according to CEO Shiina Yasushi.

The event, which also encompasses the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market and the Tokyo Story Market, has significantly expanded its seminar programming this year, moving from a single venue to three locations and increasing from seven to fifteen sessions. “These sessions will cover the latest trends and success stories across various genres, including film, TV and anime, with a focus on Japan and Asia,” Shiina said.

Key seminars include “Generative A.I. in Cinema: Opportunities, Threats, and the Future Landscape,” discussions on Japanese anime’s future, and sessions featuring major broadcasters’ international content strategies.

Following last year’s $95 million in total deal value, Shiina sees potential for increased business activity. “The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the viewing habits of audiences, accelerating the borderless nature of visual content and expanding the market,” he said. “This has highlighted business models geared toward the global market, and we anticipate that deals will become even more active than last year.