As the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) approaches, the spotlight is on an exciting panel at the TIFFCOM market, featuring producers from the Cannes competition title “Renoir.” Scheduled for October 30, the session will explore the intricacies of Asia-Europe co-productions and mark a significant partnership formation between Japan’s Atmovie Global Track and the European workshop Ties That Bind.
Exploring Creative Collaborations
The panel, titled “Building Creative Partnerships,” aims to delve into how producers and directors collaborate to elevate projects to international standards. Attendees will gain insights drawn from case studies of films produced between Asia and Europe. This open session coincides with the Tokyo International Film Festival, and is accessible to all TIFFCOM badge holders.
Featured Panelists and Their Credentials
Among the distinguished speakers are Mizuno-Gray Eiko, CEO of Tokyo-based Loaded Films, and French producer Christophe Bruncher from Ici et Là Productions, both of whom contributed to “Renoir,” which competed at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025. Mizuno-Gray has an impressive portfolio that includes Hayakawa’s “Plan 75,” which garnered a special mention for the Caméra d’Or at Cannes in 2022, as well as Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s “To the Ends of the Earth.” She is actively engaged in developing co-productions, including a Poland-Japan project directed by Ishikawa Kei and a Japan-Philippines project with Hirayanagi Atsuko. Additionally, Mizuno-Gray is supporting the accelerator and serves on the Asian Future jury at this year’s festival.
Christophe Bruncher, a graduate of La Fémis and fluent in Mandarin, is serving as head of studies for Ties That Bind. His recent co-productions include Muriel d’Ansembourg’s Berlinale title “Truly Naked” and Kamila Andini’s Toronto selection “Four Seasons in Java,” both of which are highlighted at this year’s Tokyo festival.
Also joining the panel are Oh Heejung, founder of Seesaw Pictures, whose films have been showcased at major international festivals like Sundance and Berlin, and Moriya Takeshi, CEO of Atmovie. Moriya’s production achievements include the acclaimed series “Midnight Diner” and the award-winning film “Midnight Swan.” The panel curation is overseen by Sekiguchi Mio, a producer with credits including Uchida’s “Fiamma.”
Workshop for Accelerator Fellows
Before the public panel, Oh and Bruncher will conduct a closed two-day workshop on October 27 and 28 for fellows of the accelerator. This interactive session will center around project development and career discussions, moving away from traditional lectures to encourage a collaborative environment.
A Comprehensive Program for International Co-Productions
The entire program, curated by Alessandro Gropplero of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Audiovisual Fund, aims to foster cooperation between European and Asian producers on project development, financing strategies, co-production opportunities, and networking. Atmovie Global Track is dedicated to preparing Japanese filmmakers for the international co-production landscape, providing essential lectures and mentoring from both local and international industry veterans. Selected fellows will have valuable pitching opportunities, including participation in the Japan Pavilion at Cannes in May 2025 and the Japan Pitch event at the Busan International Film Festival in October.
Organizers recognize that many creators face challenges in building trust across cultures and communicating effectively outside their native languages. The upcoming open session aims to share valuable insights with the broader industry and expand the network of Japanese filmmakers seeking international collaborations.
Support for this initiative comes from the Japan Creator Support Fund, established by the Japan Arts Council with funding from the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
