TIFFCOM, the market arm of the Tokyo International Film Festival, is riding the wave of international momentum, with CEO Yasushi Shiina pointing to strong year-over-year growth as evidence that the market is successfully transforming from a purely sales-driven event to a hub for co-production and fundraising.
“TIFFCOM 2025 attracted a total of 322 exhibitors, up from 283 last year, and the booths were almost sold out by early July,” Shiina said. This is a market where movies, television, animation, and IP businesses come together, with a focus on Japanese content. “It is becoming increasingly recognized as a comprehensive market that integrates film, television, animation, and intellectual property businesses. The diversity of Japanese content and Tokyo’s rich cultural and creative energy are major strengths.”
The executive emphasized that TIFFCOM will continue to strengthen its relationship with the Tokyo International Film Festival, while expanding cooperation across Asia, strengthening both the project and IP markets and establishing itself as the region’s international hub.
TIFFCOM’s change in identity represents a major evolution for the market. “The Tokyo Gap Financing Market (TGFM), now in its 6th year, has achieved strong results, with past participating projects being selected at major festivals such as Cannes, Venice, and Berlin,” Shiina points out.
The quality of submissions continues to improve, and this year’s Tokyo IFF lineup includes three companies that previously participated in TGFM. However, challenges still remain. “One of our key challenges is increasing the participation of Japanese producers, and this year we will be holding lecture sessions providing practical insights on co-production and financing to support those interested in international co-production.”
The rebranding of Tokyo Story Market to Tokyo IP Market marks a new strategic shift. “The rebranding reflects the growing global demand for Japanese IP,” Shiina explains. “In addition to major publishers, production companies such as Toei are also participating in the introduction of remake rights.”
The Tokyo IP Market aims to strengthen TIFFCOM’s role as a central hub within the IP ecosystem, bringing together Japanese rights holders and international producers offering a variety of stories from books and audiovisual works.
ASEAN partnership is a priority this year. “East Asian countries such as China, South Korea, and Taiwan have been cooperating with Japan for many years, and continue to set up large-scale pavilions at TIFFCOM,” Shiina said. “We aim to position Tokyo as the central hub of Asia’s expanding content ecosystem, while strengthening our partnership with the rapidly growing ASEAN countries.”
