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Sony Pictures’ Sanford Panitch Puts Japan at Center of Theatrical Argument at Cannes Film Market: ‘True Global IP Has Never Been Created by a Streaming Service’

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CitrixNews Staff
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Sony Pictures’ Sanford Panitch Puts Japan at Center of Theatrical Argument at Cannes Film Market: ‘True Global IP Has Never Been Created by a Streaming Service’
May 14, 2026 7:55am PT Sony Pictures’ Sanford Panitch Puts Japan at Center of Theatrical Argument at Cannes Film Market: ‘True Global IP Has Never Been Created by a Streaming Service’

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Naman Ramachandran

See All LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 20: Sanford Panitch attends the "Bullet Train" UK Gala Screening at Cineworld Leicester Square on July 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

Sanford Panitch came to the Cannes Film Market with a thesis he wanted the Japanese entertainment industry to hear: theatrical is still the only window that creates lasting global IP, anime’s moment has arrived, and Japan‘s rights holders are leaving opportunities on the table by waiting too long to engage.

The Sony Pictures Entertainment motion picture group president made those arguments at a session organized by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan External Trade Organization – part of the industry programming accompanying Japan’s designation as Country of Honor at this year’s Cannes Film Market, a distinction that has brought an unprecedented concentration of Japanese titles, talent and industry delegations to the Croisette.

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