Unifrance has launched an office in Tokyo to lead industrial events across Asia, including in Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia and India.
Emmanuel Besara, who was appointed to lead the new office, noted that the establishment of this office was timely. Besara said, adding that Korea and Southeast Asia have also become major markets, although we haven’t been on the ground for the past two years due to the epidemic, Japan still ranks fourth in the list of BO’s largest overseas markets for French films. The organization already has an event coordination office in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan headed by Isabel Glachant.
Unifrance hosted the 30th edition of its French Film Festival in Japan, in Yokohama, from December 1-4. The festival began with Eiffel, Martin Bourbollon’s period drama starring Romain Doris and Emma Mackay. Other films were presented at the festival, like Venice Prize by Audrey Dewan, Xavier Giannulli’s Lost Illusions, Eric Gravel’s A plein temps, Lola Quivoron’s Rodeo and Mia Hansen-Love’s One Fine Morning, among others.
The French delegation also hosted past November 30 and December 1 with sales agents from 19 French banners, including Charades, Film Constellation, French TV distribution, Gaumont, Indie Sales, Kinology, Le Pacte, Les Films du Losange, Loco Films, Luxbox and mk2 movies, Pathé International, Pulsar Content, SND, Studiocanal, The Party Film Sales.
Besides the annual festival and market, Unifrance’s Tokyo office will also be responsible for coordinating events with local partners and events, such as the Busan and Hong Kong Film Festivals. The organization recently provided special funding to bail out independent exhibitors in Japan.
Bessara previously worked for several French sales companies, including TF1, Doc & Film and Kinology (“Annette”). The CEO, who is fluent in Japanese, has completed a number of courses in the country and worked on Japanese co-productions, such as Leos Carax’s “Annette”.
