TIFFCOM 2026, the content market of the Tokyo International Film Festival, wrapped its three-day run (October 28–30) with growth in its core business audience. According to preliminary figures released on November 5, registered visitors, a category that includes buyers, producers and investors, reached 1,425, up 13% from 1,256 in 2025.
International Attendance Grows
Overseas attendance drove much of that growth. Visitors from abroad totaled 814, a 9% increase over last year’s 747. North American attendance rose by a third, and European attendance grew by close to 70%.
Domestic attendance grew as well, with visitors from Japan up 20%. Together, these figures point to a broader mix of attendees from both Japan and overseas.
Wider Reach Despite Slightly Lower Overall Turnout
Total participation, however, came in slightly below last year. More than 4,400 people took part (4,405, compared with 4,610 in 2025). The organizers put the decline largely down to fewer participants from Greater China, including pavilions. The number of exhibitors also dipped slightly, from 322 to 317.
Even so, the market’s geographic reach expanded, with participants coming from 51 countries and regions, up from 46. Meanwhile, conferences and events drew approximately 3,000 attendees in total (cumulative), and the venue stayed busy with industry professionals throughout all three days.
Conferences Focus on IP, Storytelling and AI
Beyond the numbers, TIFFCOM continued to build its role as a central hub for Asia’s rapidly evolving content industry. The market hosted a wide range of business meetings around financing, networking and partner searches. Its conference program covered topics such as cross-media and global expansion of IP, storytelling in feature and short formats, and the emerging role of AI in creation.
Project Initiatives Expand in 2027
TIFFCOM’s initiatives to support new projects drew even greater interest this year, according to the organizers. Building on that momentum, “Tokyo IP Market” will return next May in Cannes as “Japan IP Market,” co-organized with the Marché du Film. In addition, “Tokyo Gap-Financing Market” will expand its eligible genres to support a broader range of projects.
Looking ahead, organizers framed the next edition around questions of where craft and technology meet: what the world and the market want to see, and which stories Japan and Asia want to tell. Attendees are invited to share feedback through the participant survey ahead of the market’s return to Tokyo next year.
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