International horror, sci-fi, fantasy, action, and animation movies are getting a new chance to find funding this fall.
Frontières, the international genre co-production market organized by the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, is working with the Tokyo International Film Festival Content Market (TIFFCOM) to launch a new genre gap-financing program at the Tokyo Gap Financing Market (TGFM) in October.
This news comes after the Marché du Film, where Japan was the country of honor this year, and it marks a busy time for Frontières.
The market has been playing a big role in boosting interest in genre films at both Cannes and other festivals in recent years.
Tania Morissette, deputy director of Fantasia, told Variety, “Since its start in 1996, Fantasia has supported Asian cinema, and it feels natural to expand our market into Japan.
We are very proud of this new partnership and the chance to highlight international genre co-productions more.”
Morissette attended the TGFM last year and was impressed by the quality of the projects.
Representatives from both events started talking and finalized the partnership this week at Cannes.
This year, some TGFM alumni films are showing at Cannes, including “Death Has No Master” by Jorge Thielen Armand, “9 Temples to Heaven” by Sompot Chidgasornpongse, and “Titanic Ocean” by Konstantina Kotzamani.
Morissette said, “In recent years, Frontières has seen more submissions from Asia.
Projects like ‘Funky Forest 2’ and ‘Red Spider Lilies’ were chosen for the Montreal market last year, and Norihiro Niwatsukino’s ‘Magai-Gami’ and ‘Queen of Malacca’ were shown at this year’s sold-out Frontières at Cannes.”
The new Tokyo market program will include international projects that are already in advanced financing and need up to 40% gap financing.
These projects will be shown in a special showcase at the TGFM. The market supports feature films by arranging one-on-one meetings with industry people like producers, financiers, distributors, broadcasters, and streaming services. There will also be daily panels and talks during the three-day TIFFCOM, which will be held from October 28 to 30.
The market is linked to the Tokyo International Film Festival, which is running its 39th edition from October 26 to November 4.
Submissions for eligible projects can be made starting today (May 22) and will close on July 21, 2026. Applicants can submit their projects through the Frontières Market website or the TGFM platform.
Some recent Frontières successes include “Lamb” by Valdimar Jóhannson, which won the Un Certain Regard prize for originality in 2021, “In Flames” by Zarrar Khan, which was chosen for Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2023, and “A Prayer for the Dying” by Dara Van Dusen, which was a Berlinale Perspectives pick in 2026 and got good reviews.
Another Frontières film, “Hot Spot” by Agnieszka Smoczynska, is set to premiere at Fantasia’s 30th edition this summer.
The Frontières International Co-Production Market is supported by Telefilm Canada, SODEC, the Government of Quebec, the City of Montreal, and RDV Canada.
