Secrets takes TPG award at close of busy TIFFCOM

The project, a cross-generational drama about a young girl living with her widowed father, was one of 25 that took part in TPG (Oct 19-22). The award came with a prize of $20,000 worth of post-production services presented by Technicolor. Kumasaka’s first feature, Asyl: Park And Love Hotel, won the best first feature award at Berlin in 2007.

Overall, TPG was deemed a success by the filmmakers with selected projects, although some said they would have preferred a two-way meeting system, rather than being told by the organisers whom they should see.

“We met some people who were selling services as well as looking to invest, but on the whole it worked really well for us – we had exposure to a wide range of people,” said Singaporean producer Lau Chee Nien, who was presenting comedy fantasy Real Fiction.

Meanwhile, TIFFCOM also wrapped on Thursday night after a busy three days (Oct 20-22) during which many companies, and in particular the Japanese sellers, were locked in back-to-back meetings. Few deals were reported, as companies said they would close or announce at the upcoming AFM, but exhibitors said they were pleased with the market.

“We’ve met most of the Asian buyers here – a lot of people came from Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan, but because we’ve just had Pusan there weren’t many companies from Korea,” said Asmik Ace’s Kayo Yoshida.

Other sellers agreed that the market was useful for selling to Asia, although they didn’t see many buyers from the US and Europe. Those that made the trip tended to be specialist distributors, such as the UK’s 4digital Media, that focus on Asian product.

TIFFCOM organisers reported that the number of exhibitors had increased by 4% to 211 from 18 countries, while registered visitors held steady at just over 4,000. The exhibitors were mostly Japanese companies, although sellers also came from China, Hong Kong, Korea and other Asian territories.

The market also had a handful of non-Asian sellers including Visit Films from the US, IMCINE from Mexico and the Polish Film Institute.

Meanwhile the Tokyo International Film Festival continues until the closing ceremony and screening of Pixar’s Up on Sunday (Oct 25).