Japan IP Market Launches at Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival is set to host a dedicated Japan IP market from May 15 to 17, 2026, in collaboration with the Tokyo International Film Festival Content Market (TIFFCOM). This initiative coincides with Japan being named the 2026 Country of Honor at Cannes, highlighting the country's significant contributions to global intellectual property (IP) in cinema, animation, and publishing. The event will take place aboard the Art Explora catamaran at Cannes’ Vieux-Port, serving as a networking platform for international companies to engage with Japanese IP holders.

Variety MagazineDeadline Hollywood

The Japan IP market will feature prominent companies such as Amuse Creative Studio, Kadokawa Corporation, Nihon Bungeisha, Nippon Animation, Shochiku, Shufu To Seikatsu Sha, and Toei Company. Attendees will have opportunities for one-on-one business meetings, pitch sessions, and a series of presentations and conferences. A keynote seminar titled “The Future of Japanese IP in Global Adaptations,” led by Tetsu Fujimura, executive producer of Netflix’s live-action series "One Piece," is scheduled for May 15 at 10 AM. Additional sessions will focus on the creative and industrial partnerships between France and Japan, as well as discussions on the role of publishers and broadcasters in the success of manga and anime.

Variety MagazineDeadline Hollywood

Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director of the Marché du Film, emphasized the importance of this initiative in fostering international collaborations, stating, “Japan is renowned as the birthplace of some of the world’s most powerful IP, from manga and anime to novels, remakes and video games.” The Japan IP market is positioned as a strategic focus for the Cannes market, reflecting the growing significance of IP in the film industry.

Deadline HollywoodVariety Magazine

TIFFCOM CEO Yasushi Shiina remarked on the initiative's importance, stating, “The Japan IP Market is an important step for Japanese intellectual property on the global stage.” He expressed enthusiasm for launching this platform in conjunction with the Marché du Film, particularly during a year when Japan is highlighted as the Country of Honor.

Variety Magazine

This new market is expected to create avenues for business growth and international partnerships, enhancing the visibility of Japanese content on a global scale. By bringing together key players from Japan and around the world, the initiative aims to leverage Japan's rich cultural heritage and innovative storytelling capabilities.

Variety Magazine

• “We are thrilled to demonstrate how the Country of Honour program can create new opportunities for collaboration, and the launch of the Japan IP Market with TIFFCOM is a perfect illustration,” — Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director of the Marché du Film

Variety Magazine

• “ TIFFCOM CEO Yasushi Shiina said: “The Japan IP Market is an important step for Japanese intellectual property on the global stage.” — Yasushi Shiina, CEO of TIFFCOM

Variety Magazine

This initiative marks a significant moment for the Japanese film and content industry, reinforcing its role in the global market and fostering new collaborations.

Variety Magazine