The Tokyo International Film Festival Content Market (TIFFCOM) has announced the 24 feature film projects selected for the 7th Tokyo Gap-Financing Market (TGFM), scheduled for October 28– 30, 2026, at Tokyo Port City Takeshiba Port Studio. Required to have at least 60% of their funding secured and an Asian element, the selected projects will participate in one-on-one meetings with industry experts to close budget gaps and secure distribution or co-production partners.
For the first time in its history, TGFM will host an open pitch event on October 28 in collaboration with IMAGICA GROUP. Ten of the selected projects will present their pitches directly to potential investors and partners, signaling a move towards more dynamic funding frameworks within the Asian market.
A major driver of this year’s selection is a newly established partnership with Frontières, the international genre film co-production market organized by Canada’s Fantasia International Film Festival. This collaboration introduces a dedicated Frontières Showcase to Asia, significantly increasing the presence of high-quality genre projects. The slate includes indigenous horror and near-future psychological thrillers from regions such as Thailand, Nepal, and Brazil. Notable entries include a body horror project by Brazilian director Gabriela Amaral Almeida and a Kyrgyz legend adaptation produced by Indonesia’s KawanKawan Media alongside emerging director Kevin Rahardjo. Acclaimed Singaporean filmmaker Boo Junfeng is also presenting a thriller, while Vietnamese director Diep Nguyen Hoang returns for a second consecutive year following her successful run at the Busan International Film Festival.
Animation maintains a strong presence with five projects. Highlights include an omnibus horror from the studio behind the Annecy-winning «The Violinist,» and «Back to Tomioka,» an adaptation of a French graphic novel exploring the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Japanese studios are well- represented, featuring new works by OLM animator Ayumi Moriyama and P.I.C.S. Additionally, the market’s ongoing collaboration with Italy’s Cinecittà brings three co-production projects, including
one involving Japanese director Takuya Uchiyama.
Out of the 24 projects representing 24 countries and regions, eight originated in Japan, featuring works from local directors like Yusaku Matsumoto and Akira Yamamoto. By integrating genre-focused showcases and open pitch formats, TGFM aims to accelerate the completion of diverse international co-productions and strengthen Tokyo’s position as a key hub for film financing in the Asia-Pacific region.
