Animation studio MAPPA has partnered with K2 Pictures, a newly launched film company, to produce films for the global market. This was announced on the official website of K2 Pictures.
In addition to MAPPA, K2 Pictures is also partnering with renowned filmmakers, including Shunji Iwai, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Kazuya Shiraishi, Miwa Nishikawa, and Takashi Miike.
This partnership signals a significant shift for MAPPA, which is the only animation studio on the list of partners. the studio has expressed its eagerness to contribute to the filmmaking process as a partner.
“We have joined this project with the desire to support K2 Pictures’ challenge. We want to contribute as much as we can as a partner in movie production while considering what an animation studio can offer.“
K2 Pictures was established by Japanese producer Muneyuki Kii, a former Head Producer at Toei, with the goal of creating a new ecosystem for Japanese films. In order to achieve this, the company has established the K2P Film Fund I, a Japanese film production fund.
The fund is designed to attract new investors from overseas and to provide investors, creators and crew members with a greater share of the profits from their films.
“The company aims to create a new funding ecosystem for Japanese films to enrich local productions by returning profits traditionally accruing to film companies to both investors and creators, and it will also produce projects with emerging and established creators. Additionally, as part of the initiative, K2 Pictures is launching a new content fund – K2P Film Fund I – which will provide support for Japanese features across both animation and live-action and will enable investors, creators and crew members to profit from the Japanese film industry. The Fund is aiming to collaborate with from investors in Japan, Asia, the US and globally.“
To unveil their vision and the fund’s structure, K2 Pictures will hold a press conference on May 18, 2024, in Cannes, France. Kii, along with directors Miike and Miwa Nishikawa, are expected to attend.
The event will also introduce a new director joining the K2 Pictures family.
Source: K2 Pictures, Comic Natalie