Japan will be the Country of Honour at the Marché du Film from 12 to 20 May 2026, held during the 79th Cannes Film Festival. The designation recognises the Asian nation’s significant contribution to world cinema and its active role in driving international partnerships within the audiovisual sector.
As part of its participation, Japan will co-host the market’s Opening Night and take part in its main programmes, ranging from industry panels and networking sessions to project showcases. The spotlight will be on Japanese animation and genre cinema. A summit on Japan’s film industry and a dedicated screening day featuring Japanese productions are also planned. These initiatives aim to strengthen professional networks and further promote Japan’s film and content industries in global markets.
Japan’s cinematic history spans more than 120 years and has left an indelible mark on world film culture thanks to iconic filmmakers such as Akira Kurosawa, Yasujirō Ozu and Kenji Mizoguchi. Today’s creators continue to enjoy strong international visibility, with frequent appearances in Cannes’ Official Selection. The country produces around 1,200 films each year, drawing more than 150 million viewers and generating over ¥200 billion (€1.128 billion) at the box office. Japanese animation remains one of the world’s most influential cultural forces, while live-action films across multiple genres continue to travel widely and inspire adaptations abroad.
Japan already has a solid presence at the Marché du Film. Its sales companies are among the most established at the Palais des Festivals, and the Japan Pavilion, coordinated by UniJapan, has long served as a key hub for industry activity. As Country of Honour, Japan will expand its participation across all market events, paving the way for fresh collaborations and greater international exposure.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), attended by Junichi Sakomoto, Chair of the Japan Country of Honour 2026 Executive Committee, and Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director of the Marché du Film. “We are truly delighted and proud that Japan has been selected as Country of Honour,” said Sakomoto. “It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the appeal of Japanese cinema on the global stage. We look forward to seeing our rich film culture, along with emerging talents and technologies, shine even more brightly worldwide and contribute to the advancement of cinema both in Japan and internationally.” Esmiol added: “We are thrilled to welcome Japan as our 2026 Country of Honour. It holds a unique place in international cinema and its creative legacy continues to inspire generations of filmmakers. It also has a distinctive role at the Marché du Film as one of the most represented and dynamic countries.”
The programme will be organised by the Japan Country of Honour 2026 Executive Committee, together with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). Further details will be announced in early 2026. Japan follows Brazil (2025), Switzerland (2024), Spain (2023) and India (2022) as the fifth nation to receive this recognition, established to spotlight countries that make notable contributions to the global film industry and foster international collaboration.
