Hi, this is Izumitani from the Ehime Film Commission (Ehime FC)!
From June 29 to July 2, I attended the 27th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), South Korea.
I participated as the Chairperson of the Japan Film Commission (JFC), and a representative of Ehime Film Commission, I took the opportunity to introduce Ehime as well. Many attendees showed great interest, leading to discussions about scouting trips, location tours, and exchanging contacts.
Getting to Bucheon
Bucheon is about a 40-minute taxi ride from Incheon International Airport, making it very accessible.
Since there’s a direct flight from Matsuyama Airportin Ehime to Incheon, taking only 90 minutes, the travel time felt almost the same as flying to Tokyo. It made South Korea feel much closer than expected!
The Atmosphere in Bucheon
Throughout the city, BIFAN posters and promotional materials were everywhere, showing how deeply the festival is integrated into the local community.
This time, VIPO (Visual Industry Promotion Organization) and JFC were given a platform to promote Japan as a filming destination.
Japan as a Filming Destination
After JFC’s presentation, many producers and filmmakers interested in filming in Japan asked about:
・Filming incentives
・Available support for productions
・The scope of assistance provided
Introducing specific filming locations in Ehime during these discussions was a great opportunity, and I hope it will lead to future filming projects in the region.
Industry Insights & Networking
During the festival, various seminars were held, allowing me to gain the latest insights into the Korean and Asian film industries. By exchanging information, I was able to identify what international productions need from Japan and what we can offer in return. This experience reinforced the importance of overseas promotion and networking.
Prioritizing Promotion Over Watching Films
Interestingly, I didn’t watch a single film during my stay! Instead, I spent my time attending seminars, seeking out industry contacts, and laying the groundwork for future filming projects in Japan.
Japan’s New Filming Incentive System
One of the key topics that many international filmmakers were eager to learn about was Japan’s new filming incentive program. This year, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) announced a national filming incentive, a long-awaited financial initiative previously missing. Despite many filmmakers wanting to shoot in Japan, the lack of a national incentive made it difficult to compete with other countries.
Now that this system has been introduced, I was able to promote Japan—including Ehime—as a more attractive filming destination.
Looking Ahead
With this new incentive program, I expect an increase in international filming inquiries for Japan and Ehime.
At the same time, it’s crucial for film commissions (FCs) across Japan to improve their support systems to accommodate foreign film crews. Strengthening these support networks will ultimately elevate the overall quality of Japan’s film commissions. As I headed home, I reflected on how these efforts could enhance Japan’s position as a global filming destination.