FILMINATION

(July 14th, 2020 Yokohama Cityー FILMINATION,a leading online marketplace specializing in Japanese films and videos for overseas markets, has won the Cool Japan Matching Awards 2022 runner up.

As the world is in a continuous need of new styles and trends, further amplification of Japanese cultures including food, soft contents, craftsmanship, and traditional culture are in demand. Led by the Japanese government, the "Cool Japan Strategy" supports the global development of initiatives that delve deeper into Japan's attractions and involve collaboration among a wide range of fields and regions.The Cool Japan Matching Awards 2022 is the award to recognize advanced Cool Japan initiatives.

FILMINATION was awarded the Runner-up Grand Prix in recognition of its business model to market Japanese independent films to the world in cooperation with the film festivals around the world including Tanabe-Benkei Film Festival.

One of the juries of the award, Takaaki Umezawa, Chairman of A.T. Kearney Japan and Chairman of CIC Japan says “FILMNATION is a platform for selling Japanese films online to overseas distributors. As we saw the significant effect brought in by the movie Lost in Translation, the distribution of Japanese films overseas is extremely effective in promoting Japan. We selected FILMNATION as the Runner-up because of their achievement of selling 300 films to more than 100 businesses in one year by simplifying the contracting procedures.

“We are thrilled to receive this award.” says Hiroaki Kanamaru, CEO of FILMINATION, “FILMINATION’s goal is to bring more Japanese films to the world through the use of technology.More than half of our team have lived abroad, and we are working with the aspiration to make change to the industry. We cannot thank enough for this great acknowledgement.”

Yoshiaki Nakata, Chairman of the Tanabe-Benkei Film Festival Executive Committee says “The Tanabe-Benkei Film Festival started 15 years ago to discover professional film creators, and has produced many talented directors who have gone on to direct commercial films. 2 years ago, in cooperation with FILMINATION, it became possible to introduce Benkei Film Festival films to movie fans around the globe. We are now excited to foster film directors who will make great strides globally.

Yukio Tanaka, Film director and President of Kazaraku Creative Office says “We were suddenly approached by FILMINATION two years ago, and now five of our films have been distributed globally. My friend working in FILMINATION who was in charge of the project, understood the importance of "connecting people" more than anything else. She did not hesitate to give me, an old school person, advice to reachout to the global audience using technology in a very kind and polite manner. As I continue to produce films with the theme of "People live + Life with People", FILMINATION has become an important partner for me.

Genta Matsukami, President of 16bit says “Congratulations on winning the Cool Japan Matching Award 2022 runner up. We are delighted that our production Demolition Girl was also able to reach audiences in various countries through FILMINATION.
We will continue to support FILMINATION’sr efforts to bring quality Japanese films to many countries in the future.

Higeru Kamiyama, Film Producer / Director Producer, Fanfare Japan says“We are producing films in Okinawa with the basic theme of the potential of local entertainment. The people in charge of our films understand our films as if they were their own... Films made in Okinawa, a small island, are sent to the world through FILMINATION.
I can really feel the potential of local entertainment going global. Thank you & congratulations!

Nobuhito Hayashi of AMG Entertainment says “Congratulations on winning the Cool Japan Matching Award 2022. By utilizing the network of FILMINATION, we have been able to expand our global licensing opportunities. We look forward to working together to further expand Japanese content globally in the future.