The creative forces behind Hayakawa Chie’s Cannes competition title “Renoir” are set to take center stage at Tokyo’s upcoming TIFFCOM market, highlighting a major push to bridge the gap between Asian and European cinema. The high-profile appearance comes as Japanese creative accelerator Atmovie Global Track formalizes an ambitious new strategic partnership with the Europe-based training and networking workshop Ties That Bind.
The developments will be showcased during an open public panel titled “Building Creative Partnerships,” scheduled for Oct. 30. Running in tandem with the prestigious Tokyo International Film Festival, the session is designed to examine the intricate collaborative dynamics between producers and directors as they work to elevate local projects to an international standard. Drawing heavily on concrete case studies of feature films successfully realized between the two distinct regions, the panel is open to any badge holder attending the TIFFCOM market, offering a rare glimpse into the mechanics of cross-continental cinema.
At the heart of the panel are two key producers behind the Cannes-contending film “Renoir”: Mizuno-Gray Eiko, CEO of the Tokyo-based production outfit Loaded Films, and French producer Christophe Bruncher of Ici et Là Productions. Mizuno-Gray brings an impressive pedigree to the discussion. In addition to her work on “Renoir,” her producing credits include Chie Hayakawa’s acclaimed feature “Plan 75,” which captured a special mention for the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022 before going on to be selected as Japan’s official entry for the Academy Awards. Her resume also features Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s atmospheric drama “To the Ends of the Earth.”
Beyond her past successes, Mizuno-Gray remains deeply active in international co-productions. She is currently developing a Poland-Japan co-production directed by Ishikawa Kei, as well as a Japan-Philippines project helmed by Hirayanagi Atsuko. In addition to her producing and development work, she serves as a support producer on the Atmovie Global Track accelerator and lends her expertise to the industry this season as a member of the Tokyo International Film Festival’s Asian Future jury.
Joining her on stage is Christophe Bruncher, a graduate of the renowned French film school La Fémis who is fluent in Mandarin and serves as the head of studies for Ties That Bind. Bruncher’s recent international co-production portfolio features high-profile festival entries, including Muriel d’Ansembourg’s Berlinale selection “Truly Naked” and Kamila Andini’s Toronto International Film Festival title “Four Seasons in Java,” both of which are also featured at this year’s Tokyo festival edition.
The panel’s lineup is rounded out by Oh Heejung, the Seoul- and Amsterdam-based founder of Seesaw Pictures, whose extensive track record includes films that have played at major global showcases such as Sundance, the Berlinale, Locarno, IDFA, Rotterdam, and Busan. They will be joined by Moriya Takeshi, the CEO of Atmovie and the visionary founder of the accelerator program. Moriya’s extensive producing credits span across both television and film, including the popular series “Midnight Diner” and Uchida Eiji’s acclaimed feature “Midnight Swan,” which was named picture of the year at the 44th Japan Academy Film Prizes. The panel itself was carefully curated by Atmovie Global Track producer Sekiguchi Mio, whose producing credits include Uchida’s compelling feature “Fiamma.”
The public panel is just one component of a broader collaborative initiative. Ahead of the Oct. 30 open event, Oh and Bruncher will lead a rigorous, closed two-day workshop exclusively for the accelerator’s selected fellows on Oct. 27 and 28. Eschewing traditional lecture-heavy formats, the workshop is structured around intensive group sessions where participants will actively develop their ongoing projects and discuss long-term career trajectories with seasoned international mentors.
The comprehensive overall program was masterminded by Alessandro Gropplero, who manages the Friuli Venezia Giulia Audiovisual Fund and co-founded Ties That Bind. Ties That Bind itself is organized by the FVG fund in collaboration with EAVE and the Udine Far East Film Festival, functioning as a premier bridge connecting European and Asian producers to foster deep cooperation in project development, financing strategies, co-production opportunities, and lasting professional networking.
The Atmovie Global Track accelerator itself plays a critical role in the contemporary Japanese film ecosystem. It is specifically designed to prepare promising Japanese filmmakers to take their original cinematic projects into the highly competitive international co-production market. Through a comprehensive curriculum of specialized lectures and hands-on mentoring from both Japanese and international industry heavyweights, fellows are given the tools needed to navigate cross-border financing and production landscapes. Selected fellows are provided opportunities to pitch their projects at major international festivals and markets, with notable milestones including presenting at the Japan Pavilion during the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025 and participating in the dedicated Japan Pitch event at the Busan International Film Festival in October.
Organizers behind the initiative note that many creative professionals frequently struggle with the complex challenges of building genuine trust across vastly different cultural divides and communicating effectively outside of their native languages. By formalizing the partnership with Ties That Bind and hosting the open industry panel, the stakeholders aim to share these vital lessons with the wider film community, ultimately expanding the growing network of Japanese filmmakers actively pursuing ambitious international careers.
Financial and institutional backing for the overarching program is provided by the Japan Creator Support Fund, an initiative established by the Japan Arts Council utilizing vital funding from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, ensuring that the next generation of Japanese cinematic talent receives the institutional support necessary to thrive on the global stage.
