Waypoint Entertainment and Netter Productions’ drama has begun shooting and will film on location in Massachusetts and Japan. Ken Kao and Alex Walton’s Bloom represents international rights and launched pre-sales in Cannes.

Mathew McConaughey, Ken Watanabe and Naomi Watts star in the story of a widower who has an epiphany after he travels to the infamous Aokigahara forest with the intention of committing suicide.

Van Sant directs from Chris Sparling’s Black List screenplay. Gil Netter, Kao and Kevin Halloran produce with F Gary Gray, Brian Dobbins and Allen Fischer.

“We presented our buyers in Cannes with a timeline for Sea Of Trees and are right on target to start production on this original and deeply moving story,” said Kao.

“We’ve made tremendous strides in a very short period of time – first launching the company and then seeing vigorous sales on our first film as a new company in Cannes,” said Walton.

Bloom also announced The Hunters, which John Moore will direct, in Cannes. The slate includes Skiptrace starring Jackie Chan and a number of titles inherited from Exclusive Media such as Liam Neeson vehicle A Walk Among The Tombstones and Gillian Flynn adaptation Dark Places starring Charlize Theron.