TIFFCOM expects to match record attendance as Japan IP demand rises

The content market attached to the Tokyo International Film Festival is set to open on Oct. 28 with organizers expecting to match or exceed the 4,600 visitors and 300 exhibitors recorded in 2025. Kaori Ikeda, the market's managing director, says this growth reflects a strong global appetite for Japanese intellectual property.

Ikeda attributes the momentum to several converging trends. She cites the popularity of anime, the commercial potential of manga and gameshow properties, and the success of high-profile productions like Shōgun. She notes that nearly 43 million people visited Japan last year, which she believes supports the market's cultural focus.

"Tokyo is probably one of the most fascinating cities in the world, and Japan is enjoying a boom," Ikeda said while finalizing preparations days before the event. "So definitely this supports our activities, because we are dealing with culture."

In her third year in the role, Ikeda oversees the Tokyo IP Market: Adaptation & Remake. She relaunched this initiative last year from the Tokyo Story Market, which previously focused on book adaptations. The expanded version this year includes remake rights holders such as Toei, Shochiku, and Takara Tomy. Ikeda states that the market has strong backing from the Japanese government and industry.

The market will also feature a keynote on AI for the first time. Chris Brearton and Dominic Hughes of AGBO will speak on technology and storytelling. The Association of Japanese Animations will present annual industry data, and local TV stations will share case studies on overseas format sales. A session on unlocking the global potential of Japanese IP will include Shinzo Matsuhashi, Steven Maeda, and Buddy Marini.

Ikeda also highlights the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market, now in its seventh year, which connects partially funded projects with production partners. Two productions from last year will screen in the festival's Crosscut Asia+ section. The animated film The Violinist, which found an Italian partner at the 2023 event, won the top prize at Annecy this year.

The industry faces shifting dynamics, including the rise of short dramas and streamers trimming budgets. Ikeda says the market aims to be a better venue for business meetings and networking amid these changes. She previously worked at Asmik Ace and J:COM, handling acquisitions for films like Trainspotting and Dead Man Walking.

TIFFCOM runs from Oct. 28 to 30 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsu-kan. The market previously presented Japanese properties at the Cannes Marché du Film this year, a move Ikeda describes as a success that connected international producers with local rights holders.