The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) has selected Japan as the 2026 Focus Country for its Producer Hub, a co-production networking platform tied to the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF(.
Japan will send 10 producers to Busan in October for project pitching, speed meetings and case-study sessions.
Now in its third year, Producer Hub gives producers pursuing international co-productions a forum to trade information and build relationships. The initiative singles out one focus country annually, using the selection to showcase that market’s production landscape, incentive programs and slate of in-development projects.
This year’s Japanese delegation will pitch active co-production projects, detail how the country’s production system operates and look for new partners across the region, according to ACFM.
ACFM launched Producer Hub in 2024 as a dedicated space for producers to compare notes on financing, investment and local support schemes across different territories.
Korea held the inaugural focus country slot in 2024, co-hosted by the Korean Film Council. Canada took the spot in 2025 alongside Telefilm Canada, an edition that drew 154 producers representing 25 countries. That exchange takes on added significance following an audiovisual co-production treaty Canada and the Korea signed in 2026, which organizers expect will deepen ties between the two countries. Producer Hub’s partner network has meanwhile grown from eight organizations in seven countries at launch to 13 organizations across 10 countries today.
Producer Hub 2026 runs four days, from Oct. 10 to 13 – one day longer than the 2025 edition. The Japanese delegation will pitch in-development projects and detail the country’s production environment, while separate case-study sessions will examine past co-productions between Japan and other countries. Speed meetings and networking sessions round out the schedule.
Organizers added the extra day to give participants more room to build on early conversations. Follow-up sessions are being arranged specifically with the Japanese producers so that discussions started during speed meetings can continue, moving past introductions into details on projects, production conditions and potential collaboration, according to ACFM.
ACFM Director Ellen Y.D. Kim said, “Japan today is Asia’s most dynamic co-production partner. Building on its longstanding strength in independent and arthouse cinema, international collaboration is expanding on all fronts to encompass commercial films and series, backed by bold policies centered on grants and incentives,” adding, “Together with Japan, this year’s focus country, Producer Hub aims to serve as a platform offering producers across Asia tangible opportunities for collaboration.”
Producer Hub plans to keep expanding its roster of partner organizations beyond the current 13 across 10 countries. Producers interested in international co-production can apply via the ACFM website, with the application window open through Aug. 31.
ACFM runs in Busan each October alongside BIFF. The market’s 20th edition in 2025 was its largest yet, with registration reaching 1,222 companies and 3,024 professionals across 55 countries and total on-site attendance hitting 30,006. Its Sales Market logged 8,438 business meetings, with a transaction value estimated at $71.1 million.
The 2026 Asian Contents & Film Market runs Oct. 10–13 at BEXCO’s Exhibition Center 2 in Busan, alongside the 31st Busan International Film Festival, set for Oct. 6–15.
Japan was also the country of honor at this year’s Cannes Film Market.
Leave a Reply