The landscape of international cinema continues to shift toward deeper cross-continental collaboration, a trend that will be at the forefront of the upcoming TIFFCOM market in Tokyo. On October 30, industry leaders will gather for a high-level session titled “Building Creative Partnerships,” a panel designed to dissect the intricacies of Asia-Europe co-productions. The event marks a significant milestone for the Japanese film industry, as the domestic accelerator Atmovie Global Track officially formalizes its partnership with Ties That Bind, the premier Europe-based workshop specializing in bridging the gap between Asian and European filmmakers.
This session arrives at a pivotal moment for Japanese creators looking to expand their reach beyond domestic borders. As the global appetite for diverse narratives grows, the partnership between Atmovie Global Track and Ties That Bind aims to provide the structural and creative support necessary to bring Japanese projects to an international standard. The open panel will serve as a centerpiece of the TIFFCOM market, running in tandem with the broader Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). Organizers have confirmed that the session is open to all TIFFCOM badge holders, inviting a wide range of producers, directors, and distributors to participate in the dialogue.
The panel features a prestigious lineup of speakers who have successfully navigated the complexities of international co-production. Among the featured guests are the producers behind Hayakawa Chie’s acclaimed Cannes competition title “Renoir.” The inclusion of these speakers highlights the tangible successes that can emerge when Japanese creative vision is paired with European production expertise. The discussion will focus on practical case studies, examining how directors and producers align their artistic goals with the logistical and financial requirements of international markets.
Central to the conversation will be Mizuno-Gray Eiko, the CEO of the Tokyo-based production house Loaded Films. Mizuno-Gray has established herself as a vital link between the Japanese industry and the global festival circuit. Her collaboration with French producer Christophe Bruncher of Ici et Là Productions on “Renoir,” which competed at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, serves as a primary example of the session’s focus. Mizuno-Gray’s track record is extensive; she was a key figure behind Hayakawa Chie’s previous success, “Plan 75.” That film garnered a special mention for the Caméra d’Or at Cannes in 2022 and was eventually selected as Japan’s official entry for the Academy Awards, proving that stories rooted in Japanese social issues can resonate deeply with a global audience.
Beyond her work with Hayakawa, Mizuno-Gray’s credits include Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s “To the Ends of the Earth,” a film that further cemented her reputation for handling high-profile international collaborations. Her current slate of projects continues this trend of cross-border storytelling. She is currently developing a co-production between Poland and Japan with director Ishikawa Kei, as well as a Japan-Philippines project helmed by director Hirayanagi Atsuko. In addition to her production duties, Mizuno-Gray serves as a support producer for the Atmovie Global Track accelerator and is a member of the Asian Future jury at this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival.
Joining her on the panel is her frequent collaborator, Christophe Bruncher. A graduate of the prestigious French film school La Fémis and a fluent Mandarin speaker, Bruncher brings a unique linguistic and cultural perspective to the table. As the head of studies for Ties That Bind, he has been instrumental in fostering connections between the two regions. His recent co-production credits reflect a diverse range of artistic voices, including Muriel d’Ansembourg’s “Truly Naked,” which featured at the Berlinale, and Kamila Andini’s “Four Seasons in Java,” a selection for the Toronto International Film Festival. Both of these films are being showcased at this year’s Tokyo festival, providing attendees with current examples of his collaborative philosophy in action.
The panel is further bolstered by the presence of Oh Heejung, the founder of Seesaw Pictures. Based in both Seoul and Amsterdam, Oh’s career exemplifies the modern, borderless producer. Her films have been selected for some of the most prestigious festivals in the world, including Sundance, Berlin, Locarno, Rotterdam, Busan, and the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA). Her participation brings a documentary and independent film perspective to the discussion, highlighting that co-production is not limited to large-scale commercial features but is equally vital for auteur-driven and non-fiction cinema.
Rounding out the panel is Moriya Takeshi, the CEO of Atmovie and the visionary behind the Atmovie Global Track accelerator. Moriya’s influence on the Japanese industry is significant, with production credits that bridge the gap between popular television and award-winning cinema. He is well-known for his work on the internationally beloved TV series “Midnight Diner,” as well as Uchida Eiji’s “Midnight Swan.” The latter film achieved remarkable domestic success, being named Picture of the Year at the 44th Japan Academy Film Prizes. Moriya’s involvement underscores the accelerator’s mission: to take talent that has found success in Japan and provide them with the tools to replicate that success on the global stage.
The panel itself was curated by Sekiguchi Mio, a producer at Atmovie Global Track whose own credits include Uchida Eiji’s “Fiamma.” The curation reflects a strategic effort to address the specific hurdles Japanese filmmakers face when entering the international arena. According to the organizers, many creators in Japan find it difficult to build the necessary trust across different cultures and often struggle with the nuances of communication outside their native language. The open session at TIFFCOM is intended to share these hard-learned lessons with the wider industry, helping to expand the network of Japanese filmmakers who are actively pursuing international work.
While the October 30 panel is the public-facing component of this initiative, much of the foundational work will occur in the days leading up to the event. On October 27 and 28, Oh Heejung and Christophe Bruncher will lead a closed, two-day workshop specifically for the fellows of the Atmovie Global Track accelerator. This intensive program is designed to move away from traditional lecture-style teaching in favor of a more collaborative, group-session approach. Participants will have the opportunity to develop their specific projects under the mentorship of Oh and Bruncher, discussing not only the creative aspects of their films but also their long-term career trajectories in an increasingly globalized market.
The overarching structure of this program was curated by Alessandro Gropplero, a key figure in European film financing and networking. Gropplero runs the Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) Audiovisual Fund and is a co-founder of Ties That Bind. The Ties That Bind program is a collaborative effort organized by the FVG fund alongside EAVE (European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs) and the Udine Far East Film Festival. By partnering with Atmovie Global Track, Ties That Bind brings its established expertise in project development, financing, and networking to the Japanese market, creating a structured pipeline for filmmakers to find European partners.
Atmovie Global Track functions as a launchpad for Japanese creators, preparing them to present original projects at major international markets. The accelerator provides a combination of lectures and direct mentoring from both Japanese and international industry veterans. The program’s curriculum is designed around major milestones on the festival calendar. Selected fellows will have the opportunity to pitch their projects at the Japan Pavilion during the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, as well as at the Japan Pitch event during the Busan International Film Festival in October. These high-stakes environments are where the skills learned during the TIFFCOM workshops and panels are put to the test.
The financial and institutional backing for this ambitious program comes from the Japan Creator Support Fund. This fund was established by the Japan Arts Council, utilizing funding from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The government’s support for such an initiative signals a broader policy shift toward the internationalization of Japanese cultural content. By investing in the professional development of producers and directors, the fund seeks to ensure that Japanese cinema remains competitive and visible on the world stage.
As TIFFCOM approaches, the "Building Creative Partnerships" session stands as a testament to the evolving nature of film production. The formalization of the tie-up between Atmovie Global Track and Ties That Bind is more than just a corporate partnership; it is a bridge built to facilitate the flow of ideas, capital, and talent between two of the world’s most vibrant cinematic regions. For the filmmakers involved, it represents an opportunity to move beyond local constraints and engage with a global audience, armed with the knowledge and connections necessary to succeed in a complex, multi-national industry.
