The Tokyo Gap Financing Market (TGFM), a premier platform held during TIFFCOM (October 29-31), has revealed its 2025 line-up, showcasing 23 feature-length film projects seeking final funding to complete production. The annual event supports projects that have secured at least 60% of their budget and highlight Asian elements, offering one-on-one meetings with industry professionals to help close financing and secure distribution deals.
Southeast Asian Spotlight
This year features strong representation from Southeast Asia, with standout titles such as:
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Four Seasons In Java (Indonesia, Netherlands, Norway, France, Germany, Singapore) by Kamila Andini.
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1982 (Vietnam) by Diep Nguyen Hoang.
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Two Philippine projects: Filipinana by Rafael Manuel and Hum by Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan, produced by Alemberg Ang.
International Co-Productions
Several films highlight cross-border collaborations:
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A Japan-Korea manga adaptation directed by Jang Kun-jae.
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Polaris, a Japan-Taiwan project from Natsuki Seta.
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Konbini, a Spain-Japan co-production directed by Pedro Collantes and set in Tokyo.
Expanding Animation Frontiers
Five animation projects are included, reflecting the rapid rise of Southeast Asian animation. Notable entries include:
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Anito from the Philippines’ John Aurthur Mercader.
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Garuda: Dare To Dream from Indonesia’s Ronny Gani.
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Freedom In The Sky, a highly anticipated Japanese project by Ayumu Watanabe (In This Corner of the World, Doraemon films), produced by Genco Inc.
Italian Collaboration After Co-Production Agreement
Following the Japan-Italy Film Co-production Agreement, TGFM also welcomed three Italian projects, specially selected through Italy’s Ministry of Culture and Cinecittà:
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I Have To Fuck Before The World Ends (Italy-Philippines) by Andrea Benjamin Manenti.
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Tokyo Express by Eros Puglielli.
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Copperbeak by Adriano Candiago, Giorgio Scorza, and Davide Rosio.
Why TGFM Matters
The Tokyo Gap Financing Market has become an essential bridge between Asian filmmakers and global investors, helping ambitious projects secure the final push needed to reach international audiences. With films spanning fiction and animation across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, the 2025 line-up demonstrates how Tokyo continues to serve as a hub for global cinematic collaboration.
