Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), in collaboration with autumn contents market TIFFCOM (Oct 23-25), have announced details of funding to support Japanese sellers of film and TV contents to overseas markets.

The financial support is divided into three categories: support for production of TIFFCOM exhibition booth materials; film and TV subtitling costs, and production of film masters for overseas releases.

Exhibitors with booths at TIFFCOM can apply for support to produce foreign-language trailers or promo reels for existing films and TV programmes. Sellers can also apply for support to subtitle feature film or TV pilots for TIFFCOM’s expanded market screening and DVD library facilities.

For Japanese sellers, who close deals during TIFFCOM, support to produce master or intermediate video materials for foreign theatrical release and broadcast purposes can be applied for up to a cost of  $12,800 (Y1m).

As previously reported, the 9th edition of TIFFCOM relocates to the larger Grand Pacific Le Daiba hotel venue in Tokyo’s waterfront Odaiba district.

Furthering its aim to boost Japan’s international film profile, UniJapan and TIFFCOM have reworked this year’s project market with producer Atsuko Ohno (Ringing In Their Ears) joining the selection team. A Japan-Europe co-production lab is another addition this year.

The support comes as survival in Japan’s domestic film market becomes increasingly difficult, particularly for independents. Last year the Ministry of Cultural Affairs launched a co-production subsidy, but support for feature film development is still scarce in the territory.

Topics