Daily Capital Taiwan-Japan Film Fund Launches at TIFFCOM

Daily Capital, a new fund dedicated to Taiwan-Japan film and television co-productions, made its public debut on the opening day of TIFFCOM, the market arm of the Tokyo International Film Festival. The fund unveiled itself at the “Taiwan Originals: Project Showcase” event. Founder Chang Chen-yu used the platform to outline the fund’s size, strategy, and first investment. The launch signals a fresh push to link Taiwanese financing with Japanese creative talent and intellectual property.

A Fund Built for Cross-Border Storytelling

Daily Capital aims to raise NT$100 million (about $3.1 million) and to back at least five projects across film, television, and animation during its first two years. Fundraising has already reached 70% of the target, and Chang told Variety that the fund expects to begin operations by year-end. That puts the fund within reach of its goal before it formally opens for business.

Chang also explained the thinking behind the name. He said “Daily” reflects the idea that daily efforts drive meaningful progress. The remark framed the fund as a long-term, steady commitment rather than a one-off bet on a single hit.

Japanese Partners Bring Creative Firepower

On the Japanese side, Daily Capital has identified K2 Pictures and Remow as co-development partners. Producer Kii Muneyuki founded K2 Pictures, which brings together Japanese filmmakers including Iwai Shunji, Miike Takashi, Nishikawa Miwa, and Kore-eda Hirokazu. That roster gives the fund direct access to some of the country’s best-known directors.

Remow adds a different kind of strength. Major Japanese entertainment and media companies back the outfit, including Shueisha, Toei, Amuse, Shochiku, TBS Holdings, and Fuji Media Holdings. Remow also offers access to established IP libraries and distribution networks, which could help Daily Capital move projects from development toward audiences.

How the Fund Plans to Invest

Chang laid out a hands-on approach. The fund plans to enter projects early, during development or pre-production, and to take part in shaping the creative direction. He also set a clear expectation for returns.

“Investment amounts will vary according to each project’s scale and needs, whether it’s a film, series or animation. We expect to come in during development or pre-production, contribute to script discussions and help assemble the core creative team. We also aim to keep the primary capital recovery period within three years,” Chang said.

The strategy pairs Japan’s IP and production know-how with Taiwan’s flexible financing and co-production experience. The fund also intends to tap local production incentives and distribution networks. Through those channels, it hopes to reach audiences beyond Japanese- and Mandarin-speaking markets.

First Investment: “Love Ends in Bloom”

The first announced project is the series “Love Ends in Bloom,” a 10-episode historical romance and business drama. The story takes place in Chiayi and Alishan in the 1930s. It follows a Japanese geisha who devises a cross-border marriage scheme to save her mother, then falls into a forbidden romance with a Taiwanese timber magnate.

The narrative unfolds during the Japanese colonial period (1895-1945), when Taiwan’s cypress industry was thriving. The series views that era through a Japanese woman’s eyes, which gives the familiar period setting a distinct perspective. It blends romance with commerce, drawing on the economic life of the island’s forestry trade.

A Story Rooted in Chiayi

The project grew out of Chang’s return to his hometown of Chiayi in 2023. Renovation work was underway at the city’s railway station, and the sight prompted him to reflect on Chiayi’s forestry and railway history. Those reflections became the seed for the series.

“Despite our proximity, Taiwan, Japan and Korea are rarely seen together in one narrative,” Chang said in a previous interview with Variety.

With “Love Ends in Bloom” as its opening title, Daily Capital now begins the work of turning that observation into a slate. The fund must close the remaining 30% of its target and start operations by year-end. After that, its partnerships with K2 Pictures and Remow will show whether the Taiwan-Japan model can deliver the projects and returns Chang promises.