Hive Filmworks Acquired Rights to Wandance
The Seoul-based firm has secured international sales rights to the Japanese hip-hop dance film.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Foreign
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Hive Filmworks has acquired international sales rights to the upcoming Japanese feature film Wandance. The acquisition marks the first time the Seoul-based company has added a non-Korean project to its sales slate.
Why it matters
This move signals a strategic expansion for Hive Filmworks, which intends to increase its acquisition of films from Japan and other countries. By diversifying its portfolio beyond Korea, the firm is positioning itself as a more prominent global distributor.
The acquisition of Wandance represents the first non-Korean film on the Hive Filmworks sales slate. The film features Jo from the boy band &Team and actress Anji Ikehata, who plays the role of Wanda.
The players
Hive Filmworks
This Seoul-based company is a film distribution firm that is currently expanding its international acquisition strategy.
Naoya Kusaba
He is the director responsible for helming the live-action adaptation of the Wandance manga series.
Jo
He is a member of the boy band &Team who plays a lead role in the film Wandance.
Anji Ikehata
She is an actress who portrays the character Wanda in the film.
The details
Directed by Naoya Kusaba, the film is a live-action adaptation of a hip-hop manga series. The story follows a high school student who struggles with a stutter but finds personal growth and expression through the art of dance.
Timeline
Hive Filmworks will present the film to international buyers at the ACFM during the week of October 10, 2026.
Wandance is scheduled to open in theaters in Japan on November 27, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This acquisition follows the precedent set by the historical expansion of CJ ENM into non-Korean international co-productions. By targeting Japanese intellectual property, Hive Filmworks is adopting a strategy to broaden its reach beyond its domestic market.
The deal ensures that the film will be shopped to international distributors at the ACFM, significantly increasing the likelihood of a theatrical or streaming release outside of Japan. Viewers should look for updates from regional distributors regarding local release dates following the film's November debut.
The takeaway
The entry of Hive Filmworks into Japanese film acquisition highlights the increasing fluidity of the Asian film market. Fans of the source manga should anticipate a broader international rollout as the firm secures global distribution partners.
Further reading
Explore more global cinema distribution trends in the Foreign section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Screen.
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