The 22nd edition of TIFFCOM, the official content market of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), returns from October 29 to 31, 2025, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center HAMAMATSUCHO-KAN, positioning Japan once again at the heart of Asia’s content industry. As Asia’s leading market for audiovisual content, TIFFCOM 2025 will welcome film, television, and animation producers, buyers, and executives from around the world to explore new business models, international co-productions, and creative innovation.
This year’s seminar program will feature 20 sessions dedicated to the “global expansion of Japanese and Asian content” — spanning animation, television, IP business, and cross-border production. The event promises a dynamic exchange of ideas between major studios, broadcasters, and creative professionals, offering fresh perspectives on how local stories can find new life on the global stage.
Japan-Italy Co-Production Takes the Spotlight
One of the most anticipated sessions is the Yomiuri TV seminar, “From Local to Global: Japan-Italy Co-Production Unlocking New Horizons”, set for October 30 at 11:00 AM. Organized by Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, the session will present the new anime series Pino & Shinoby, a collaborative project developed with Italy’s Studio Bozzetto. The series will premiere at the Italy Pavilion during Expo 2025 Osaka, marking the world debut of Shinoby, a locally born character now ready to leap onto the international stage.
This seminar will offer behind-the-scenes insights into how the partnership — which began through connections established at TIFFCOM — became a bridge between Japanese creativity and European storytelling. Speakers include Atsuko Toraya, Hiroki Tanaka, Ayako Noguchi, and Rina Yagi from Yomiuri TV, alongside Kaori Miyayama from Studio Bozzetto. The discussion will highlight how IP-based collaboration can unlock new frontiers for global co-creation and cultural exchange.
Japanese Animation’s Global Expansion
Another highlight is the Special Session organized by The Association of Japanese Animations, “The Cutting Edge of Japanese Animation’s Global Expansion,” scheduled for October 30 at 3:30 PM. Japan’s animation industry has been on a steady upward trajectory since 2010, driven by strong domestic support and booming overseas demand. The government’s Cool Japan Strategy aims to quadruple the overseas market value of Japanese content from ¥4.7 trillion to ¥20 trillion by 2033, designating animation as a core pillar of growth.
This session will unveil new data from the “Anime Industry Report 2025”, offering an exclusive look at both domestic and global market trends. Panelists will include Masahiro Hasegawa, editor of the report and lecturer at Senshu University, along with key executives shaping the global anime ecosystem: Eiko Tanaka (CEO, Studio 4℃), Naohiro Ogata (Bandai Namco Filmworks), and Takaaki Nakazawa (TOHO Global). Moderated by Megumi Onouchi, Vice Chairman of The Association of Japanese Animations, the session will explore how Japan’s animation studios are evolving production models, forging global partnerships, and embracing digital innovation.
Hong Kong-Japan Dialogue: Animating Asia
Adding to the animation focus, TIFFCOM will feature the seminar “Animating Asia: Creative Strategies for IP, Storytelling, and Global Reach”, co-organized by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Film Development Council, with support from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Set for October 29 at 11:00 AM, this cross-regional panel brings together leading creators from both Hong Kong and Japan to discuss the rapidly evolving animation landscape.
Confirmed speakers include Raman Hui, director and animator known for blending Hollywood and Asian sensibilities; Polly Yeung, producer and screenwriter of the acclaimed project Another World; Samuel Choy, producer of McDull and The Excreman; and Koji Morimoto, a pioneering Japanese director whose influence has shaped generations of animators. Moderated by animation critic Ryota Fujitsu, the discussion will explore cross-cultural storytelling, financing models, and strategies for making Asian IP resonate globally.
The Future of Japanese IP and International Co-Productions
Among the broader seminar lineup, UNIJAPAN will present the keynote “The Future of Japanese Intellectual Property in Global Adaptations”, featuring Tetsu Fujimura, Executive Producer of Netflix’s live-action One Piece. This session will address how Japanese IP — from manga and anime to drama formats — is increasingly being reimagined for worldwide audiences while retaining its authentic voice.
Co-production initiatives will also take center stage through sessions such as “Co-Production Seminar: Case Study & Panel Discussion on Southeast Asian Countries” (organized by the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan and UNIJAPAN), the JP-KR Producers Exchange (by VIPO and KOFIC), and “From Asia to World – Designing a Roadmap for International Co-Productions” (by TCIC and Into Global). These seminars aim to deepen collaboration across borders, strengthening Asia’s position as a powerhouse for content creation.
Emerging talent will be spotlighted at the MPA / DHU / TIFFCOM Masterclass Seminar and Pitching Contest 2025, while the TUA-KAFA Feature Film Project Co-Development Workshop, organized by UNIJAPAN, KOFIC, and the Tokyo University of the Arts, will focus on hands-on creative exchange between Japan and Korea.
Expanding Horizons: Asian Series and Film
Beyond Japan, TIFFCOM 2025 will feature a vibrant showcase of regional content. The Thai BL & GL’s Magic: A Global Chemistry seminar will explore how Thai “Boys’ Love” and “Girls’ Love” genres have enchanted audiences worldwide. China’s strong presence will include multiple sessions on film promotion and the launch of the Blue Book of China Film 2025 and Blue Book of China TV Series 2025, organized by Peking University, Zhejiang University, and the China Film Co-Production Corporation.
The JETRO session on “Current Trends in the Turkish Remake Market and the Potential of Japanese Series” will highlight how Japanese dramas continue to inspire successful international remakes, while the 2025 Shanghai Showcase of Screen Productions will present the latest from one of Asia’s most dynamic creative hubs.
Meanwhile, KOCCA (LG U+) will bring the stars of Love Phobia and Someday of Me to Tokyo for the LG U+ Drama Premiere 2025, celebrating the ongoing global influence of K-drama.
A Marketplace for Global Collaboration
Through its seminars, project markets, and networking initiatives, TIFFCOM 2025 confirms its role as a gateway for international collaboration, connecting Asia’s most creative minds with the world. With a focus on animation, IP, and co-production, this year’s program underscores how Japanese and Asian stories continue to expand their reach — turning regional creativity into a truly global force.
