Cannes’ Marché du Film and TIFFCOM Commit to Second Japan IP Market in 2027

Organizers have announced that the Marché du Film and TIFFCOM will hold a second Japan IP Market at the 2027 Cannes Film Festival, following their inaugural partnership aimed at connecting Japanese rights holders with international producers and buyers.

The announcement was reported on Thursday during a TIFFCOM session in Tokyo titled “Beyond Country of Honour: Building the Next Global Partnerships with Japan.” Alexandra Zakharchenko, head of industry programs for the Cannes market, was among the speakers at the event.

Initiative Objectives and Background

• Facilitating Collaborations: The program is designed to support adaptations, acquisitions, and international collaborations involving Japanese intellectual property.
• Direct Access: Overseas companies gain direct access to rights holders through pitches, targeted one-on-one meetings, and industry discussions.
• Navigating Rights Structures: While Japan is widely recognized for bankable manga, gaming, and other IP, its unique business and rights structures can present challenges for international partners, a process this partnership seeks to streamline.

The inaugural edition of the Japan IP Market launched at Cannes in May 2026 as part of the Marché du Film's Japan Country of Honor program. That initial gathering featured participants such as Kadokawa, Shochiku, and Toei, alongside speakers including Filosophia founder and CEO Tetsu Fujimura.

Related Markets and Future Plans

The Cannes event serves as an international counterpart to TIFFCOM’s Tokyo IP Market: Adaptation & Remake, which launched in 2025 to showcase adaptation rights for manga, novels, and film remakes. Continuing the partnership allows Japanese companies to build international relationships at both the Cannes gathering in May and the Tokyo market in October.

Organizers have stated that further details and a list of participating companies for the 2027 program will be announced in the coming months. Stakeholders and industry professionals can verify official updates by following announcements directly from TIFFCOM and the Marché du Film.