Dwarf Studios Seeks New Partner for Hidari After U.S. Funding Talks Stall
Producer Matsumoto Noriko said at Busan's Asian Contents & Film Market that the stop-motion samurai film lost its U.S. backer over a rights dispute.
Dwarf Studios is looking for a new partner for its stop-motion samurai film Hidari after talks with a U.S. company to fully fund the project stalled, according to Variety.
The U.S. company offered to cover the entire budget but wanted all rights to the film. Dwarf Studios rejected the proposal, seeking to retain half the rights, and the negotiations ended after the U.S. counterparts lost their jobs amid Hollywood upheaval.
Producer Matsumoto Noriko revealed the status of the financing at the Busan International Film Festival's Asian Contents & Film Market on Sunday.
Questry has established a special purpose company for Hidari to allow investors to fund the film. Questry was founded about four years ago by Ibe Tomonobu, who spent 11 years at Goldman Sachs.
Dwarf Studios designed a pilot short for Hidari in 2023 at its own risk, partly through crowdfunding, which brought Keanu Reeves aboard. The film was pitched at the Annecy Animation Showcase at Cannes and at Annecy earlier this year.
Financing Model Under Discussion
Japanese anime and films are backed by production committees more than 90% of the time, according to industry estimates cited by Ibe. Overseas sales made up 56% of anime industry revenue in 2024, up from 20% in 2014.
Quick answers
Why did Dwarf Studios' U.S. funding talks for Hidari stall?
The U.S. company wanted all rights to the film in exchange for covering the full budget, but Dwarf Studios sought to retain half the rights and rejected the offer.
Who revealed the financing update for Hidari?
Producer Matsumoto Noriko revealed it at the Busan International Film Festival's Asian Contents & Film Market on Sunday.
How is Questry involved in Hidari?
Questry has set up a special purpose company for Hidari so investors can fund the film.