Kaori Ikeda, Managing Director of TIFFCOM, is leveraging her years of experience in acquisitions and international sales to strengthen the platform’s regional position and lead the Tokyo-based content market towards a more integrated role in Asia’s rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.
Speaking about her background in this field, Kaori notes how her perspective has evolved. “Having spent years in acquisitions and international sales, I have some understanding of the ecosystem, which has helped shape TIFFCOM into a platform that allows for comfortable and effective business meetings and information exchange,” she says. “TIFFCOM covers the entire value chain, from Japan and Asia’s rich IP to live-action films, dramas, animation, theatrical and streaming content, and aims to strengthen its position as a valuable market in Asia.”
The 2025 seminar program reflects this ambition, with a focus on co-production, IP strategy and Asia-centric expansion. “As the industry continues to rapidly evolve, there is growing interest in international co-production and global adaptation of IP. However, we feel that a lack of practical knowledge and networks remains a challenge.” Kaori identifies the key industry gaps that the sessions will seek to address.
To address this, TIFFCOM will host seminars where directors, producers and experts will share real-life examples on international co-production and IP adaptation. “These sessions will provide participants with concrete insight into the entire process from project development and financing to distribution and beyond,” explains Kaori.
Regarding the enduring appeal of Japanese IP, from manga to games, Kaori admits there are still obstacles to cross-border adaptation. “I think many hurdles have already been overcome when it comes to animation, but commonly cited challenges include the complexity of rights management for library titles and the slow speed of decision-making in Japan,” she says. “Furthermore, depending on the size of IP holders, there may still be a lack of sufficient structure and expertise to effectively deal with international adaptation. IP markets serve as one of the key initiatives to address and overcome these challenges.”
Co-production has emerged as a cornerstone of TIFFCOM’s strategic vision. “Successful co-production in Asia requires both institutional support and a collaborative working environment. Public frameworks such as the Film Commission provide economic stability and facilitate permissions, but it is cross-border teamwork and trust between creators that lead to true creative outcomes. At TIFFCOM, we aim to build a platform that brings these two aspects together – a platform that brings together institutional support and human cooperation.”
Beyond the transactional exchange, Kaori outlines more ambitious goals for the market. “In recent years, TIFFCOM has focused on fostering connections that lead to project development and co-production,” she says. “Through initiatives such as TGFM (Tokyo Gap Financing Market) and Tokyo Intellectual Property Market, we aim to become more than just a market, but a space where sustainable creative and economic partnerships are built.”
