English
Producers connected to “Renoir,” the Japanese film that competed at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, will join an Asia-Europe co-production panel at TIFFCOM in Tokyo on October 30. The session forms part of a broader collaboration between Japanese film accelerator Atmovie Global Track and European workshop Ties That Bind, which the two organizations are formally cementing at the event.
Panel Brings Together Key Asia-Europe Co-Production Voices
The open panel, titled “Building Creative Partnerships,” will explore how producers and directors collaborate to develop projects for international audiences. Organizers will draw on real case studies from films made between the two regions. Any TIFFCOM badge holder can attend, and the session runs alongside the Tokyo International Film Festival.
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Mizuno-Gray Eiko, CEO of Tokyo-based Loaded Films, and French producer Christophe Bruncher of Ici et Là Productions will both appear on the panel. The two previously worked together on “Renoir,” directed by Hayakawa Chie. Mizuno-Gray also produced Hayakawa’s earlier film “Plan 75,” which earned a special mention for the Caméra d’Or at Cannes in 2022 and later became Japan’s official Oscar submission. Her other credits include Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s “To the Ends of the Earth.” This year, she also serves on the Tokyo festival’s Asian Future jury.
Mizuno-Gray is currently developing two international co-productions. One is a Poland-Japan project from director Ishikawa Kei. The other is a Japan-Philippines collaboration from Hirayanagi Atsuko. She also serves as a support producer on the Atmovie accelerator.
Bruncher graduated from La Fémis and speaks Mandarin. He serves 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 films feature at this year’s Tokyo festival.
Additional Panelists and Workshop Details
Oh Heejung, founder of Seesaw Pictures, will also join the panel. She is based in Seoul and Amsterdam, and her films have screened at Sundance, Berlin, Locarno, IDFA, Rotterdam and Busan. Moriya Takeshi, CEO of Atmovie and founder of the accelerator, will participate as well. His producing credits include the TV series “Midnight Diner” and Uchida Eiji’s “Midnight Swan,” which won picture of the year at the 44th Japan Academy Film Prizes.
Atmovie Global Track producer Sekiguchi Mio curated the panel. Her credits include Uchida’s “Fiamma.”
Before the public event, Oh and Bruncher will lead a closed two-day workshop for the accelerator’s fellows on October 27 and 28. The workshop centers on group sessions where participants develop their projects and discuss career paths. Organizers designed it around active discussion rather than lectures.
Program Background and Funding
Alessandro Gropplero oversaw the overall program. He runs the Friuli Venezia Giulia Audiovisual Fund and co-founded Ties That Bind. The FVG fund organizes Ties That Bind together with EAVE and the Udine Far East Film Festival. The workshop connects European and Asian producers around project development, financing, co-production opportunities and networking.
Atmovie Global Track prepares Japanese filmmakers to bring original projects into the international co-production market. The program combines lectures and mentoring from Japanese and overseas industry professionals. Fellows pitch their work at major festivals. Recent milestones include the Japan Pavilion at Cannes in May 2025 and the Japan Pitch event at the Busan International Film Festival in October.
Organizers noted that many creators find it difficult to build trust across cultures and communicate outside their native language. As a result, they designed the open panel to share practical lessons with the wider industry. The goal is also to expand the network of Japanese filmmakers pursuing international projects.
Funding for the program comes from the Japan Creator Support Fund. The Japan Arts Council established the fund using money from the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
