FOREIGN FILM IMPORTER-DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN

Report on 2009 projects (1)

Report on 2009 projects (2)

Report on 2008 projects

Report on 2007 projects

Report on 2006 projects

1.General Meeting issues:
The 2007 Ordinary General Meeting was held on June 8.Discussed and approved　by the General Meeting were the report on the 2006 projects and the balance　sheet, as well as the 2007 business plans, income and expenditure budgets and　election of the board members:

　◆Chairman: Junichi SAKOMOTO
　◆Vice-Chairman: Hisanori HIRANUMA
　◆Executive Director: Yasushi SHIINA
　◆Directors: Zuiho HAYASHI, Akira SUGIYAMA, Tatsumi YODA, Masao TESHIMA, Kei
　　HARUNA, Tsuguhiko KADOKAWA, Mitsuhiko OKURA, Fumio NAGASE, Toshio HIROSE,
　　Yoshiro MASUMOTO, Yoko KURODA
　◆Secretaries: Masatoshi NAKA, Toshihisa IWASAKI
　◆Assistant Directors: Koki ONISHI, Sumio KIGA, Hayao SHIBATA, Hanjiro UMEMURA,
　　Ken HASEGAWA, Takeshi YOSHIMURA, Akio HORIE, Yoshiharau KATSUKI,
　　Naoki SATO,　Hiroko SHINOHARA, Rie NAKANO, Junichi MATSUSHITA, Mio SATO,
　　Yuji SADAI,　Nobuhiko SAKOH, Satoshi IWAKURA, Kazuhiko TADASHIKI,
　　Atsushi OKITA, Masafumi　ODAWARA, Yasutaka HANADA, Naoyuki SAKAGAMI.

2.The major projects that the FFIDAJ undertook during 2006 are as follows:

(1)---------------------------
Research and study of the foreign film business and foreign laws and regulations in relation to motion pictures, as well as the collection and creation of materials
The FFIDAJ issued the 2006 list of imported films in January 2007, followed by supplementary materials in February and March, thus completing the list.
The FFIDAJ also published the 2006 "General Situation of Foreign Films," classified by nation and enterprise, in July 2006 and January 2007.

(2)---------------------------
Preservation and showing of good foreign films

a) Donation of films to the Film Center of the National Museum of Modern Art,　Tokyo Ten films were lent permanently by the FFIDAJ member companies to the Film Center of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. The member companies are making strenuous efforts to leave prints in Japan (the Film Center of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo), realizing that the movement may not seem remarkable but is actually an important work, with permission from the overseas producers of the films pursuant to the conditions in the agreements entered into with the Japanese companies.

b) Hosting of the Tokyo Cinema Show

【The Tokyo Cinema Show, which marked its 11th year in 2006, was held with the title GTF Tokyo Cinema Show 2006 as follows】
　　Venue: Iino Hall, Uchisaiwai-cho, Tokyo
　　Period: August 8 to 14
　　Sponsor: Foreign Films Importer-Distributors Association of Japan
　　Co-sponsors: Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan
　　

Japan Association of Theatre Owners
　　

Motion Picture Association (MPA)
　

GTF Greater Tokyo Festival Executive Committee
　　Supporters: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
　

Japan Video Software Association

【Program】
◆ Presentation of the line-up for Autumn 2006 until 2007
Tuesday, August 8
Navigator: Kuro ERIKAWA (Film Personality)
With Kuro Erikawa, film personality, as the emcee, the publicity personnel from the 28 members of the FFIDAJ, the MPA, and the MPPAJ presented their new films to be released in autumn 2006 or later, which aroused great excitement among the attendees.

◆Special Events
3:00 PM to 5:30 PM Tuesday, August 8
1) Tsukushi Prize Golden Title Award Ceremony
　　- Films for More People, Japanese Language More Enriched -
　　Tetsuya TSUKUSHI, journalist, gave the Award to "A Stranger of Mine"
　　directed by Kenji UCHIDA and selected from among the films released from July
　　2005 until June 2006, as a film with "the most wonderful title."
2) Talk Show "Special To Commemorate The 40th Anniversary Of Ultraman"
　　- Times and Heroes Since 1966 When the Series was Broadcast, and Messages for Children-
　　Host:　　Tetsuya CHIKUSHI (Journalist)
　　Guests: Kazuho MANDA (Honorary Chairman, Ultramanland)

Kiyoshi SUZUKI (Chief Producer, Tsuburaya Productions)

Kazuya KONAKA (Director of Ultraman)

Minato SHUKAWA (Author)

Susumu KUROBE (Actor)

Koji MORITSUGU (Actor)

Jiro DAN (Actor)　

Keiji TAKAMINE (Actor)

◆Screenings:
Wednesday, August 9 - Monday, August 14
　　Fifteen new films were presented by the member companies of the FFIDAJ,
　　the MPA and the MPPAJ from August 9 to 14.
　　Breakdown of Films Screened
　　Nine from 8 FFIDAJ members
　　Five from 5 MPA members
　　One from an MPPAJ member (other 3 MPPAJ corporations entered through FFIDAJ)
　　Total: 15 films

◆Titles of Films Screened and Number of Attendance of Screenings, Special
Events and Previews

Date	Titles	Attendance

Tue. August 8	Line-up Presentation Tsukushi Event	612 381

Wed. August 9	Black Dahlia X-Men The Last Stand	696 696

Thu. August 10	Rough Kinky Boots	657 696

Fri. August 11	Nacho Libre 16 Blocks Perhaps Love	621 623 696

Sat. August 12	House of D Welcome to Dongmakgol Sad Movie	668 696 696

Sun. August 13	Heavenly Forest Sea Without Exit My Girl & I	696 696 696

Mon. August 14	Final Destination 3 Match Point	668 679

Total		11,168

Color brochures of the GTF Tokyo Cinema Show 2006 included the line-up of 270 new films from the members of the FFIDAJ, the MPA, and the MPPAJ to be released autumn 2006 or later.They were distributed free of charge to the attendees in order to introduce them to the films awaiting release.

c) Presentation of the 45th Good Foreign Film Importer-Distributor Award The Good Foreign Film Importer-Distributor Award, which the FFIDAJ established in 1962 with support of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, marked its 45th year in 2006. Eleven jurors (listed below) decided which award to grant after examining candidate companies in order to commend distributing companies that imported and released films which, of high quality, opened up a new field and made a great contribution to the development of the Japanese film industry during the period starting April 1, 2006 and ending March 31,2007.

Outline:
Jurors: Yukichi SHINADA (Jury Chairman), Noboru AKIYAMA (Vice-Chairman),
Hitoshi AIHARA, Doichi ITO, Hisayuki UI, Masato OKA, Hiroko SEKIGUCHI,
Eijiro TAKEIRI, Yoshio TUCHIYA, Isao TOMIRA, Shinya FUJII　Juror Eijiro TAKEIRI passed away on June 7 of this year. Hiroo OTAKA　was installed as juror starting with the 2nd jury meeting.

Sponsor: Supporter:
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Report on the Examination Process
●1st Jury Meeting
The 1st jury meeting was held on February 7.Jury Chairman Shinada explained the basic policy of the examination, after which the jury examined each of the 87 candidate enterprises (23 FFIDAJ members, 5 MPA members, and 59 other companies) together with the films they distributed, using for reference the “2006 List of Imported Films” issued by the FFIDAJ.As a result, the following 8 corporations were selected by the final jury meeting.

◆AVEX ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Breakfast on Pluto, L'Annulaire, 9 Lives, Shooting Dogs, Gegen die ward
◆BITTERS END INC.
Buongiorno Notte, Darwin's Nightmare, Les amants reguliers
◆TOHOKUSHINSHA FILM COMPANY
Good Night and Good Luck, Mean Creek, Copying Beethoven, Marie Antoinette
◆BUENA VISTA INTERNATIONAL JAPAN
Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest, Kinky Boots
◆SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN INC.
The Producers, The Da Vinci Code, Kekexili, Mountain Patrol, Layer Cake,
Thumbsucker, Capote, 16 Blocks, Casino Royal, The Squid and the Whale,
The Pursuit of Happiness
◆UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES FAR EAST
Inside Man, Mission:Impossible III, United 93, Miami Vice, The 40 Year Old Virgin, World Trade Center,
Nacho Libre, An Inconvenient Truth
◆WARNER BROS STUDIOS INC.
Everything is Illuminated, Superman Returns, The Lake House, Flags of Our
Fathers, Letters from Iwojima
◆SLOW LEARNER INC.
Solntse (The Sun)

●2nd Jury Meeting (Final Jury Meeting)
The 2nd jury meeting was held on March 7. After examining the　supplementary materials for the films released after the 1st jury meeting and　until the end of March, the jury decided to give the following awards in　consideration of the book office revenue of the films recommended by the　distributing companies which were selected by the 1st jury meeting.

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
◆WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN INC.
Letters from Iwojima, Flags of Our Fathers, The Departed, Happy Feet, When releasing Letters from Iwojima, an adventurous movie about the　battle on Iwojima Island, played by a Japanese cast in Japanese and filmed by an　American director, Warner Bros. carefully dared to link its release with that of　Flags of Our Fathers by the same director, to clarify their theme "Battle of Iwojima Island. As a result, more than 5.4 million people could appreciate the two films of extremely high quality together, which stimulated the film industry and had a great cultural impact on society in general. In addition, the strenuous efforts of Warner Bros. to back up such Japanese actors as Ken
Watanabe performing in a first-rate Hollywood movie were rated as high. Such active trend by the company was also seen in The Departed and Happy Feet, which helped the company win this Award.

Special Awards:

◆SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN INC.

The Da Vinci Code; Casino Royal, The Pursuit of Happiness, Capote, Kekexili,
Mountain Patrol
Sony Pictures Entertainment helped to bring about social excitement with the controversial film version of The Da Vinci Code, one of the greatest, best selling novels, and made a great contribution to the increase in viewers. The firm also carefully offered to audiences Casino Royal, The Pursuit of Happiness, Capote and Kekexili, Mountain Patrol to respond to their various tastes and by doing so made a great contribution to the creation of new movie goers.

◆ UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES FAR EAST
United 93, World Trade Center, An Inconvenient Truth, Dream Girls,
Mission:Impossible III
UIP presented society with a question, "What can a film state?" through
such social movies as United 93, World TradeCenter and An Inconvenient Truth.On the other hand, the firm succeeded in attracting many audiences, who sought pleasure in film, to movie theaters through its traditionally excellent publicity power for Dream Girls and Mission:Impossible III.

◆TOHOKUSHINSHA FILM CORPORATION
Marie Antoinette (co-distributed with Toho-Towa), Good Night and Good Luck,
Copying Beethoven
Tohokushinsha Film Corporation invented a method for releasing Marie Antoinette and Copying Beethoven with the exquisite timing of releases and superb publicity strategy to enchant women and music fans, and succeeded in expanding the movie fan range.In addition, the quiet but steady success in Good Night and Good Luck made the firm's achievements in the last year all the more remarkable. Encouragement Award:

◆SLOW LEARNER INC.
Solntse (The Sun), directed by Alexandr N. Sokurov and portraying the Showa Emperor before and after Japan's defeat in the Pacific War, attracted many audiences, who had never seen movies at mini theaters before, to large theaters, making the film's long run possible. Such achievements of Slow Learner were highly rated.

◆ BITTERS END INC.
Darwin's Nightmare, Buongiorno Nottebr> Bitters End's enthusiasm for importing and distributing foreign films had been rated as high by jury meetings every year.Regarding Darwin's Nightmare and Buongiorno Notte, the firm's releases last year, its strong will was again highly appreciated; Bitters End constantly tries to discover, from among the world's films, some works to deliver to Japanese audiences and makes patient efforts to achieve release of the movies and meet customer expectations.

The award ceremony was held on April 18, 2007 and attended by a total of 590 guests comprising 540 (270 pairs) of general people as well as 50 people concerned. 300, a new film of Warner Bros. Studios, was specially screened in commemoration of the firm's winning of the award.

(3)---------------------------
Practice of preview screenings with the appropriate sound volume and its inspection
The FFIDAJ continuously tried to have previews projected according to the
appropriate sound volume index "less than 85Leq(m)" and inspected its practice,
and by doing so it enhanced the FFIDAJ members' interest in this issue - in
cooperation with the Previews with Appropriate Sound Volume Committee (operated
with the Federation of Japanese Films Industry, Inc. as the core) which has
been working since 2004 to have imported films and their previews projected at
theaters in a condition satisfactory to audiences.
(4)---------------------------
Cooperation in holding film festivals contributing to international　collaboration

1. The FFIDAJ supported and cooperated with the following film festivals
so that they might be held successfully.

2. The FFIDAJ cooperated with the management of the 19th Tokyo International
Film Festival and assisted with customs clearance, translation, and subtitling
activities for its films,

FILM FESTIVALS SUPPORTED BY FFIDAJ IN 2006

Titles	Periods	Venues

New Zealand Film Festival 2006	May 11 (Thu.) - 14 (Sun.) 2006	Oribe Hall, Roppongi,

Greater Tokyo Festival 2006	Jul.1 (Sat.) - Sept. 30 (Sat.) 2006	Places in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba Prefectures

Aichi International Women's Film Festival 2006	Sept. 6 (Wed.) - 10 (Sun.) 2006	Aichi Prefecture Women's General Center

19th Tokyo International Film Festival	Oct. 21 (Sat.) - 29 (Sun.)2006	Shibuya Bunkamura, Roppongi Hills, etc.

5th Kyoto Film Festival	Oct. 24 (Tue.) - 19 (Sun.) 2006	MOVIX Kyoto, Gion Kaikan, Toei Kyoto Studios, Toei Uzumasa Movie Village

TIFFCOM2006 - Featuring the Asia-Pacific Enter- tainment Market	Oct. 23 (Mon.) - 25 (Wed.)2006	Roppongi Hills MoriTower (40th & 49th Floors), etc.

Osaka Asian Film Festival 2006	Nov. 1 (Wed.) - 30 (Thu.) 2006	Recital Hall(Nakanoshima), KTV Hall Nandemo Arena (Oogicho), Sogo Shinsaibashi Main Store

13th Osaka European Film Festival	Nov. 3 (Fri.) to 29 (Wed.)2006	Osaka Port Kaiyukan Hall, Osaka International Exchange Center

11th Kobe Film Festival	Oct. 31 (Tue.) - Nov. 22 (Mon.), 2006	Bifure Hall (Shin Osada), Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, Kobe Newspapers Matsukata Hall, Kobe Art Village Center, etc.

19th Sapporo Film Festival	Nov. 9 (Thu.) - 12 (Sun.) 2006	Kyosai Hall, Sunpiaza Theater, Event Hall EDiT, ec.

Tokyo International CineCity Festival 2006	Nov. 23 (Thu.) - 26 (Sun.)2006	Shinjuku Milano 1, CineCity Square

Festival of French Film 2007	Mar.15 (Thu.) - 18 (Sun.)2007	Tokyo:Toho Cinemas Roppongi Hills, Cinema Mediage Yokohama: Toho Cinemas Lalaport Yokohama Osaka: Toho Cinemas Nanba, Toho Cimemas Takatsuki

(5)---------------------------
Arbitration for the resolution of disputes related to international transactions of imported films
1.The FFIDAJ members made efforts to exchange with each other as much　information as circumstances admitted, avoid double booking in the acquisition　of films, prevent excessive competition, and help the film import-distribution　business in Japan develop in a healthy way.

2. Policies for the diversification of image industry, as regards video　cassettes, DVDs, broadband, etc., of theatrical feature films　Films are illegally uploaded to the joint-possession-exchange file　through the Internet, from which picture and sound files are illegally　downloaded.Then a huge number of pirated DVDs are copied from such files and　sold at street stalls. Such infringement of copyrights not only makes Japan's
film production activities decline but also prevents Japan's film import-distribution business from developing in a healthy manner and harbors problems　which might influence the transaction of foreign films. Under these circumstances, the FFIDAJ examined various policies keeping close contact with　the Federation of Japanese Films Industry, the Motion Picture Producers　Association of Japan, the Motion Picture Association (MPA), the Japan　Association of Theatre Owners, the Japan Video Software Association, as well as　the Japan and International Motion Picture Copyright Association.

3. Activities for the establishment of the Law Regarding Prevention of Stealthy Filming of Movies
Even more assertive action was taken in 2006 by the Motion Picture　Producers Association of Japan, the Japan Association of Theatre Owners and the　Motion Picture Association (MPA), and the Foreign Films Importer-Distributors　Association of Japan in cooperation with the Anti Counterfeiting Association to　establish the law against stealthy filming of Japanese and imported movies　inside Japan's theaters to prevent the distribution of illegal copies of films.
A statement for "penal regulations against stealthy filming activities　inside movie theaters" was announced on January 31, 2006 in the names of the　MPPAJ, the FFIDAJ, the MPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office, and the Japan Video　Software Association. Subsequent to the statement, those organizations　united in holding the Seminar for Policies against Pirated Works, representing　the entire film industry, on October 26, 2006 during the 19th Tokyo　International Film Festival.

Program:
○ Keynote Lecture: "MPAA/MPA - Current Situation of Anti-Piracy Efforts and Issues"
　Lecturer: Dan GLICKMAN, Chairman and CEO, Motion Picture Association, Inc. (MPA)
○ Panel Discussion: "Punishment for Illegal Filming Activities inside Movie Theaters"
　Moderator: Tetsuo MAEDA, Attorney of Law
　Panelists: Yusuke OKADA, President and CEO, Toei Co., Ltd.
　　　　　　　　　　　Dick N. SANO, Senior Vice-President, Film Distribution,
　　　　　　　　　　　Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc.
　　　　　　　　　　　Adrianne PECOTIC, Executive Director of Australian Federation
　　　　　　　　　　　against Copyright

○ Report: "Security and Copyright Protection for Digital Cinema"
Reporter: Tomoyuki AOYAMA, Professor, Keio University

Subsequent to the symposium, the motion picture industry with the　related five organizations as the core struggled to have the "Law Regarding　Prevention of Stealthy Filming of Movies" established; starting January, the　film industry repeatedly studied how to prevent stealthy filming of movies,　with the "Let's Go to the Movies" Executive Committee as the nucleus.

The FFIDAJ'S basic policies in regard to this issue were examined by the　policy committee, decided by the regular meeting of the board of directors,　studied by each operation division of the FFIDAJ, and then put into practice.　The Law Regarding Prevention of Stealthy Filming of Movies was approved by　the plenary session of the House of Councilors, was proclaimed on May 30 and　came into force on August 30.

In response to the enforcement of the Law, the motion picture industry is　continuously examining the publicity activities for the Law as well as the　approaches for it at movie theaters.

6）----------------------------
Undertakings necessary to accomplish the FFIDAJ's purposes in addition to
those mentioned above

1. Participation in the "Let's Go to the Movies" campaign projects　For the purposes of increasing the annual number of film viewers to　200 million and contributing to the development of the film industry as well
as the economy of Japan, the four organizations, i.e. the Motion Picture　Producers Association of Japan, the Japan Association of Theatre Owners, the　 Foreign Films Importer-Distributors Association of Japan, and the Motion　Picture Association (MPA), actively participated in the 2006 projects of the 　“Let's Go to the Movies" Executive Committee which started in 2004.

As the first project, campaigns with the theme of suggesting new life　styles to married couples in their 50s were developed for the purpose of　increasing the number of middle-aged and elderly movie-going population. The　campaigns achieved a sure and steady success in 2006, bringing senior movie
goers back to theaters and contributing to the further widening of the film　viewers' generation range.

The Tsukushi Prize Golden Award was established by the executive　committee at the suggestion of Tetsuya Tsukushi, Film Ambassador designated　by the Committee. The second ceremony of the Award was held during the　GTF Tokyo Cinema Show 2006 (see the Awards' details in the attached file).

Starting on July 1, 2005, campaigns began solely for high school students　in order to increase the movie-going population of young generations.　2006 marked the 2nd year of the campaigns. The FFIDAJ member companies　cooperated in the campaigns and their activities including placing
advertisements of their films in campaign flyers as well as putting campaign　logos in the newspaper advertisements of their films.

2. Participation in the Publicity Digital Committee
The publicity divisions of the MPPAJ, the FFIDAJ, and the MPA formed the Committee.In 2006 as well, the Committee examined the support in the digital realm in accordance with the purposes of the "Let's Go to the Movies" campaigns. The FFIDAJ and its members participated in the home page of the "Let's Go to
the Movies" campaigns, thus actively cooperating in spreading them.

3. Hosting of a New Year's Business Card Exchanging Party
As was done last year, the FFIDAJ held the New Year's Business Card Exchanging Party on Friday, January 5, 2007, with the cooperation of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), and this was attended by 722 guests from the distribution, exhibition, publicity, and production sectors that support Japan's film industry, to promote the healthy development of the foreign film import and distribution business, the expansion of Japan's economy, and the improvement of culture.

4. Cooperation in film award management
The FFIDAJ cooperated in the management of the 30th Japan Academy Award as well as the 61st Mainichi Film Competition.The FFIDAJ also supported the 49th Blue Ribbon Award sponsored by the Tokyo Film Reporters Club.

5. Activities as a member of the Federation of Japanese Films Industry
As a regular member of the Federation of Japanese Films Industry, Junichi Sakomoto, FFIDAJ Chairman, attended as the Federation's director the annual general meetings as well as the regular meetings of board of
directors (9 times), and Yoko Kuroda, FFIDAJ Secretary General, attended them as an observer to stabilize the foundation of the FFIDAJ as a Federation member. The FFIDAJ also cooperated in the management of the 51st Film Day sponsored by the Federation.Person honored in recognition of his long and distinguished service on the 51st Film Day.

Name	Firm	Title

Giko NAKAYAMA	Nikkatsu Corporation	Chief Engineer, Studio Center, Business Section, Nikkatsu Studios

Total: 1 person

6. Meetings of publicity division managers for imported films
The FFIDAJ held the meetings of publicity division managers 10 times, the attendees coming from a total of 24 FFIDAJ and MPA member companies, to examine problems they were confronting and exchange information with each other, making efforts to establish conditions where those companies could engage in the publicity business in a smooth, healthy way without disturbing each other's import-distribution activities, to increase the number of film viewers.In cooperation with the MPPAJ, the FFIDAJ held the 2007 New Year joint party for film journalists as well as the publicity division staff of its member companies on Tuesday, January 9, to promote the exchange of information and friendship with film journalists.