Cannes Calls Japan: 2026 Country of Honour

By Pickle October 28, 2025

The Marché du Film – the world’s largest international film market and business hub of the Festival de Cannes – has announced Japan as the Country of Honour for its 2026 edition, taking place from 12 to 20 May 2026 during the 79th Festival de Cannes.

The announcement was made during a press conference at the prestigious Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) by Junichi Sakomoto, Chair of the Executive Committee for Japan, Country of Honour 2026, and Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director of the Marché du Film.

“We are truly delighted and proud that Japan has been selected as the Country of Honour. It presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase the appeal of Japanese cinema on a global stage. We look forward to seeing Japan’s rich film culture, along with its emerging talents and technologies, shine even brighter internationally and contribute to the advancement of cinema both in Japan and around the world,” said Junichi Sakomoto, Chair of the Executive Committee for Japan, Country of Honour 2026.

As Country of Honour, Japan will officially open the 2026 edition by co-hosting the Marché du Film’s Opening Night. Throughout the market, Japan will take part in the Marché du Film’s flagship programs. Panels, networking events and project showcases will be organized with exciting highlights on Japanese animation and genre cinema. Other key initiatives include a summit dedicated to Japan’s film industry to foster collaboration and innovation, and a special screening day dedicated to Japanese cinema. Through its participation, Japan aims to build strong professional networks with the international film community and promote its film & content industries for future success in global markets.

“We are thrilled to welcome Japan as our 2026 Country of Honour. Japan holds a unique place in international cinema, and its creative legacy continues to inspire generations of filmmakers. It also holds a unique place at the Marché du Film, as one of the most represented and dynamic countries, with highly active sales companies and producers. On a more personal note: as someone with Japanese roots, it’s a beautiful opportunity to pay tribute to my cultural heritage,” added Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director of the Marché du Film

With over 120 years of filmmaking history, Japan stands as one of the world’s most influential film nations. From legendary masters such as Akira Kurosawa, Yasujirō Ozu, and Kenji Mizoguchi to contemporary auteurs, Japanese cinema continues to inspire audiences and creators worldwide and is consistently celebrated in the Festival de Cannes’ Official Selection.

Today, Japan’s film industry remains robust, producing around 1,200 films annually and drawing over 150 million cinema-goers each year. In an era defined by digitalization and an ever-growing range of entertainment choices, Japan’s box office continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and vitality, generating over ¥200 billion (approximately USD 1.3 billion) in annual revenue. Japanese animation has also become a global cultural phenomenon, while live-action films across all genres continue to find success and inspire adaptations abroad.

Japan has long shared a close relationship with the Marché du Film. Its sales companies are among the most established in the Palais des Festivals, and the Japan Pavilion, coordinated by UniJapan, has been a long-standing fixture at the Village International. With Japanese professionals and companies expected to feature prominently across all market activities, Japan’s participation as Country of Honour in 2026 promises an even more dynamic and influential presence.

Japan’s participation will be led by the Executive Committee for Japan, Country of Honour 2026, together with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). Specific program details and participating institutions will be announced in early 2026.
Japan follows Brazil (2025), Switzerland (2024), Spain (2023) and India (2022) as the fifth Country of Honour — an initiative launched by the Marché du Film to recognize nations for their outstanding contributions to the global film industry and to foster international exchange and collaboration.”