Cannes and TIFFCOM commit to 2027 Japan IP market

The second edition of the Japan IP Market will take place at the 2027 Cannes Film Festival, following a successful inaugural event in May 2026.

The partnership between the Marché du Film and TIFFCOM began in May 2026 during Japan's Country of Honor program at the Cannes market. The first iteration included companies such as Kadokawa, Shochiku, and Toei. Industry figures also participated, including Tetsu Fujimura, founder and CEO of Filosophia, who serves as an executive producer for Netflix's live-action One Piece.

The initiative aims to connect Japanese rights holders with international producers and buyers. It facilitates adaptations, acquisitions, and collaborations involving Japanese intellectual property. The program provides overseas companies with direct access to rights holders through pitches, targeted one-on-one meetings, and industry discussions. Organizers note that Japan's unique rights structures and business practices have historically made international collaboration difficult.

The announcement was made Thursday during TIFFCOM in Tokyo. Alexandra Zakharchenko, head of industry programs for the Cannes market, spoke at a session titled "Beyond Country of Honour: Building the Next Global Partnerships with Japan."

This move extends the existing relationship with TIFFCOM's Tokyo IP Market: Adaptation & Remake, which launched in 2025. That Tokyo event presents adaptation rights for manga and novels alongside film remake rights. The dual structure allows Japanese companies to develop international relationships at the Cannes gathering in May and the Tokyo market in October.

Organizers plan to announce the specific participating companies and further program details for the 2027 edition in the coming months.