FILMINATION Co.

What FILMINATION Co. does

FILMINATION Co., Ltd. is a Japanese B2B technology company founded in 2019 (capitalized at 55,750,000 JPY as of April 2021) that operates Japan's first and only online marketplace dedicated to distributing Japanese film and television content to international buyers. The company is headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa, with a secondary mailing address in Fujisawa, and operates a headcount in the 11-50 range. Its core platform, ec.filmination.jp, connects 350+ Japanese film and TV rights holders with 200+ overseas VOD buyers across 900+ titles, enabling English-language buyers to browse, negotiate, execute licensing contracts, and request content deliverables while Japanese-language sellers register and list content free of charge. The platform handles selection, rights negotiation, contract execution, and digital content delivery, replacing fragmented traditional sales-agent and festival-based distribution with a structured online workflow.

The company generates revenue primarily through marketplace commissions on completed sales transactions between Japanese rights holders and overseas buyers, supplemented by film production investment, festival sponsorship-related licensing economics, and a digital placement advertising service launched in partnership with Gaie Inc. using Mirriad's patented AI-driven product placement technology. Go-to-market is a hybrid of B2B inside sales (US-based representatives with freelance/contract lead generation, per-deal commission) and self-serve marketplace listing, augmented by physical presence at international film markets (Cannes Marché du Film 2025 and 2026), film festival sponsorships (JAPAN CUTS Hollywood, Yubari, PFF, Tanabe-Benkei), and partnerships with over 30 named distribution counterparties including MUBI, NHK Enterprises, Kanopy, Emirates (via Skyline-IFE), Dekkoo, Revry, GagaOOLala, CHILI, Sooner, Highball TV, and iNDIEFLIX. The company has established the FILMINATION Award at multiple Japanese film festivals (since 2019) to identify and subsidize English subtitling for films with high overseas potential, building an upstream content pipeline. Cumulative viewership of Japanese films distributed via the platform exceeds 16 million overseas viewers, with notable successes including the short film 'Gomikuzu to Hana' reaching 160,000+ unique viewers on Amazon Prime Video in June 2025.

FILMINATION has received formal recognition including the Cool Japan Matching Award 2022 Runner-up Grand Prix from the Japanese Cabinet Office, selection by UNIJAPAN as one of eight companies to exhibit at the Cannes Marché du Film Japan Pavilion in 2025, and listing on JETRO's JS-Links service provider list. The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding rounds, no identified parent company, and no public revenue disclosures; ownership appears founder-led under CEO Hiroaki Kanamaru with a small board (Directors Yoshimichi Makiyama, Daisuke Urano, Toshiaki Fujisawa; Executive Adviser Yoshio Kakeo).

Name

FILMINATION Co.

Legal name

FILMINATION Co., Ltd.

Website

https://filmination.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FILMINATION Co., Ltd. operates Japan's first online B2B marketplace connecting 350+ Japanese film and TV rights holders with 200+ overseas VOD buyers across 900+ titles, generating revenue through transaction commissions on international licensing deals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Licensing Marketplace

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPADAJAJ

Non-Theatrical Distribution (Educational, Airlines, Cruise, Community)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Distribution (Theatrical, Home Entertainment, International Sales)

Keywords

• Japanese film distribution
• Content licensing marketplace
• Overseas VOD distribution
• Film rights trading
• Japanese content export

Headquarters

HQ city

Yokohama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Marketplace Transaction Fees: FILMINATION charges commissions on sales of Japanese film/TV content to overseas VOD buyers through its online marketplace. The platform facilitates the full transaction from selection to negotiation to contract to delivery, earning a fee per completed deal.
2. Film Festival Sponsorship & Investment: FILMINATION invests in new movie production and sponsors global movie festivals, generating revenue through the eventual sale and distribution of supported films via its platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FILMINATION operates Japan's first and only online B2B marketplace dedicated to Japanese film and TV content, connecting Japanese rights holders (sellers) with overseas VOD companies (buyers). The platform at ec.filmination.jp facilitates content discovery, rights negotiation, contract execution, and content delivery between the two parties, with a Japanese-language seller interface and English-language buyer support.

Product overview

FILMINATION Co. operates as a B2B technology marketplace for Japanese cinema, consisting of a core platform (ec.filmination.jp) that enables overseas VOD buyers to purchase Japanese film and TV content, supplemented by the Japanese Cinema Vibes YouTube channel for consumer-facing promotion, digital placement advertising services using Mirriad technology, film festival sponsorship programs including the FILMINATION Award, film production investment services, and inflight entertainment distribution partnerships. The company serves as an intermediary between Japanese film rights holders and global streaming platforms, managing licensing, contracts, and content delivery through its web-based marketplace.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Japanese Cinema Vibes: Official YouTube channel launched in January 2021 for overseas movie fans, featuring curated Japanese film content and director interviews.

Products and services

• FILMINATION Online Film Market (ec.filmination.jp) B2B online marketplace connecting Japanese film and video rights holders with overseas VOD buyers. Enables buyers to browse titles, negotiate rights, sign contracts, and request deliverables. As of January 2025, the platform had 200+ registered overseas buyer accounts, 350+ licensors, and 900+ titles.
• Japanese Cinema Vibes (YouTube Channel) Official YouTube channel hosted by film curator Alan McLane, introducing Japanese films to overseas audiences from a Western perspective with expert commentary in English.
• Digital Placement Advertising Service Service utilizing Mirriad's patented digital placement technology to insert sponsors' products into existing films on-demand, with AI analysis of camera movement, background, and exposure for optimal placement locations. Films released on CinemaEiga.com.
• Inflight Entertainment Distribution Distribution of Japanese films and TV programs to airlines for onboard entertainment systems, including partnerships with Emirates Airlines (via Skyline-IFE) and other carriers reaching passengers globally.
• NHK Content Distribution Service Sales service for 48 NHK video programs (dramas, documentaries, children's programs) to overseas VOD companies, in collaboration with NHK Enterprises (NEP) which has historically delivered 3,950 programs to 29 countries.
• Film Production Investment Service Investment in new film production and film production services for Japanese filmmakers, as part of FILMINATION's commitment to bridging Japanese movie makers to global movie fans.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 16 million cumulative overseas viewers of Japanese films purchased via FILMINATION
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UNIJAPANcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 April 2025UNIJAPAN (Visual Industry Promotion Organization) selected FILMINATION as one of eight companies to officially exhibit at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival Japan Pavilion (Marché du Film), strengthening FILMINATION's presence at the world's largest film market.
• Hyogo Prefectural Government Washington State OfficeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 April 2025Collaborative partner in FILMINATION's initiative to screen Masaaki Yuasa's 'INU-OH' at Sakura-Con 2025, one of the largest Japanese pop culture events in the U.S.
• GKIDS FilmsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 April 2025Co-partner with FILMINATION and Hyogo Prefectural Government for screening Masaaki Yuasa's 'INU-OH' at Sakura-Con 2025.
• Gaie Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 16 November 2022Gaie Inc. (Kakaku.com Group) provides digital placement advertising technology using Mirriad's patented platform. FILMINATION launched a digital placement advertising project with Gaie to enable Japanese films to carry targeted, dynamically inserted product placements, generating new revenue streams for filmmakers and advertisers.
• Eiga.com On Demand Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 November 2022Operator of Cinema-Eiga.com online movie distribution service. FILMINATION's digital placement advertising films are released on CinemaEiga.com, making them available as ad-supported content to VoD platform users.
• iNDIEFLIXminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 April 2022Indie film VOD operating in 85 countries with 4,000+ films; FILMINATION distributed 'JK ELEGY' and 'Writing, as it is' (書くがまま) on the platform.
• GuideDocminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 February 2022Documentary-focused VOD operating in Europe; FILMINATION distributed 'Ainu | Hito (61min)' and 'H Caller Mama Rin, 87 years old Summer' (徘徊 ママリン87歳の夏) to GuideDoc's catalog of ~1,300 documentaries.
• SPELL MOVIESminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 December 2021Seattle-based VOD (TMT company) offering films in 20+ languages; FILMINATION distributed 'Ketchaku' (決着), 'Hikari wo Atete Shiboru', and 'Incapacitants the movie' on SPELL MOVIES.
• Skyline-IFE LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 November 2021Skyline-IFE provides inflight entertainment services to over 40 airlines worldwide. FILMINATION uses Skyline-IFE to distribute Japanese films (e.g., 'Mrs. Noisy') as inflight entertainment on Emirates airline, expanding reach to global travelers through Emirates' 'ice' entertainment system (4,500+ channels).
• Emirates AirlineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 November 2021Dubai-based airline with global reach; FILMINATION distributes Japanese films as inflight entertainment on Emirates' 'ice' system (4,500+ channels), reaching passengers worldwide. 'Mrs. Noisy' was the first FILMINATION title on Emirates.
• NHK Enterprises, Inc. (NEP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 September 2021NHK Enterprises collaborates with FILMINATION to sell 48 programs of NHK video content (dramas, documentaries, children's programs) to overseas VOD companies. NEP has historically delivered 3,950 programs to broadcasters and distributors in 29 countries. FILMINATION serves as the online sales channel for NHK's international content.
• Japan Foundation Los AngelescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 September 2021JAPANEMA is a free monthly online film screening hosted by Japan Foundation Los Angeles for North American audiences. FILMINATION has provided multiple Japanese films for screening including 'Our House', 'Amiko', 'Whisper in a Small Voice', 'Orphan's Blues', 'Oishii Kyushoku', 'The Nikaido's Fall', and 'Words Can't Go There'.
• PIA Film Festival (PFF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2021FILMINATION has been an official supporting member of PFF since 2019. The partnership matches festival films with overseas VOD buyers through FILMINATION's platform and involves investment in new films by PFF-participating directors. Over 160 PFF winners have become professional directors.
• Wu Tang Collection (Golden Media Group)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 September 2021Los Angeles-based martial arts VOD service; FILMINATION distributed 'Last Ninja: Red Shadow' and 'Last Ninja: Blue Shadow' (AMG Entertainment) for martial arts content distribution.
• Highball TVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 August 2021Canadian VOD specializing in award-winning festival films; FILMINATION distributed 'Rent a Friend', 'Wander Life', and 'GIRLS' ENCOUNTER' to Highball TV.
• Yubari International Fantastic Film FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 August 2021FILMINATION became an official sponsor of the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival and established the 'FILMINATION Award' to recognize the film with highest overseas expansion potential. Winners receive a 100,000 yen English subtitle production subsidy, plus VOD sales matching and investment in the director's future films.
• AVA LibraryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 July 2021European VOD service for public libraries; FILMINATION distributed 4 Japanese films including 'The Nikaidos' Fall', 'Dark side of the light', 'SAYOUNARA', and 'BEING NATURAL' to AVA Library's 400,000 members.
• CHILIminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 July 2021Milan-based European VOD with 25,000+ titles; FILMINATION distributed Shochiku's 'GONIN' and 'Twenty-Four Eyes' on CHILI.
• TV JAPANminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 July 2021North American 24-hour Japanese TV channel; FILMINATION-distributed films 'Stardust Over the Town' and 'Gift of Fire' were broadcast on TV JAPAN, reaching North American audiences.
• RevryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 June 2021LGBTQ-focused VOD service; FILMINATION distributed 7 Japanese films including Daisuke Shigaya's 'Spring like lovers' and 'No Gender!' via FILMINATION's platform.
• KanopyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 May 2021VOD service for public libraries and educational institutions with 4,000+ library partners globally. FILMINATION distributed 7 Japanese films including 'The Hikita's Are Expecting!' and 'BEING NATURAL'.
• GagaOOLalaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 May 2021Taiwan-based LGBTQ VOD with ~280,000 members; FILMINATION distributed 3 Japanese films including 'From the Bottom of the Vortex', 'GIRLS' ENCOUNTER', and 'No Gender!' on this platform.
• FilmDoominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 May 2021London-based VOD offering films from 125 countries; FILMINATION distributed 3 Okinawa-set Japanese films ('OKINAWAN BLUE', 'KATABUI IN THE HEART OF OKINAWA', 'KARAKARA') on FilmDoo.
• Sooner (ContentScope GmbH)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 19 April 2021European VOD service (Germany, Switzerland, Austria) with 7,000+ films; FILMINATION distributed 7 Japanese films including 'Girl Encounter', 'Amiko', 'A Road', and 'MEJIMA'.
• DekkoominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 January 2021LGBTQ-focused VOD service; FILMINATION distributed TV Asahi drama 'Ossan's Love' and Nagoya TV drama 'his' to Dekkoo for global streaming.
• MUBIcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 August 2020FILMINATION launched its first major distribution deal with MUBI in August 2019, distributing Japanese films to MUBI's 9M+ global members. This partnership validated FILMINATION's marketplace model and opened the door for subsequent buyer relationships.
• JAPAN CUTS Hollywood Film FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2019FILMINATION was an official sponsor of the inaugural JAPAN CUTS Hollywood and established the 'Filmination Award' to recognize films with global market potential. First awarded in 2019 to 'The Walking Fish' and 'Suitable for You'.
• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFILMINATION is listed in JETRO's JS-Links service provider list for overseas business support, indicating JETRO's endorsement of FILMINATION as a partner for Japanese companies seeking overseas business expansion.
• Japan Foundation MexicominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFILMINATION provided 'The Red Postbox on Escher Street' and 'Dear Sexists' for online screening by Japan Foundation Mexico's 'Seishun Eiga' (Youth Film) series.
• Terasaki Nibei FoundationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLos Angeles-based cultural foundation; FILMINATION supports film screening events at Nibei Foundation in Los Angeles, introducing Japanese cinema to North American audiences.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Trafalgar Releasing: Trafalgar Releasing distributes event cinema and specialty films internationally via theatrical and digital channels. It shares FILMINATION's orientation toward high-curation, niche-audience content and uses a B2B-heavy sales motion with festivals, broadcasters, and platforms.
• Strand Releasing: Strand Releasing is an independent US distributor of foreign-language and art-house cinema, including Japanese titles. It represents the boutique international film distribution model that FILMINATION in part empowers by making Japanese content discoverable to such US buyers.
• FilmDoo: FilmDoo is a London-based VOD platform offering films from 125+ countries and is an active buyer of FILMINATION-distributed titles. While smaller and on the buyer side of the relationship, it illustrates the segment of niche international VOD platforms FILMINATION targets as the demand side of its marketplace.
• Kino Lorber: Kino Lorber is a US distributor specializing in world cinema, documentaries, and arthouse films with strong educational and library distribution. It is a comparable scale operator in niche international film distribution into the US market via VOD, theatrical, and home video.

Broad incumbents

• CJ ENM: CJ ENM is a major Korean media conglomerate that has built the world's most successful content-export platform via K-content (K-pop, K-drama, films). It is the closest Asian analog to the kind of national-content-export flywheel FILMINATION aspires to build for Japanese cinema.
• Crunchyroll (Sony Pictures Entertainment): Crunchyroll is the dominant global streaming platform for Japanese anime, owned by Sony. FILMINATION does not directly compete for anime buyers, but Crunchyroll's scale in Japanese content distribution represents the strategic incumbent position that broader Japanese film/TV content players reference in their international strategy.
• MUBI: MUBI is a curated international film SVOD platform with 9M+ members globally and was FILMINATION's first major international distribution partner. While MUBI is a buyer rather than a peer, it represents the destination platform archetype for curatorial world cinema that FILMINATION sells into.

Direct peers

• Asian Crush: Asian Crush is a streaming service dedicated to Asian films and TV, including Japanese, Korean, and Chinese titles. It targets the same international audience seeking niche Asian content that FILMINATION serves through its B2B marketplace to VOD buyers.
• Filmhub: Filmhub is a B2B marketplace that helps independent filmmakers license content directly to streaming platforms worldwide. Both Filmhub and FILMINATION operate as B2B content commerce platforms connecting rights holders with global distribution buyers, sharing essentially the same go-to-market motion of digitizing and accelerating independent film sales.
• GKIDS Films: GKIDS is the leading US distributor of Japanese animation and art-house films (Masaaki Yuasa titles, Studio Ghibli, Mamoru Hosoda). GKIDS has partnered with FILMINATION on Sakura-Con 2025 screenings, indicating overlapping audiences and overlapping distribution activity for Japanese content into international markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FILMINATION_INT
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/FILMINATION_Japanese_Cinema_Vibes
• Facebookfacebook.com/FILMINATION.INT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/filmination

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FILMINATION Co.