Partnerships urged to bolster content industry in Asia
Attendees at a business summit in Hong Kong on Tuesday called for closer regional cooperation to produce better movies and TV programs.
"We cooperate with everybody else in the world," Wilfred Wong Yingwai, chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, told the Asia Content Business Summit.
Wong said this will allow productions to have Hong Kong funding and participation, and to be produced anywhere in the world.
Through this, Hong Kong can open the door to markets all over the world by cooperating with different countries in Asia, he added.
Raistlin Lau Chun, undersecretary for culture, sports and tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region government, said the government is determined to promote the development of cultural and creative industries, as well as the film industry. That is exemplified by the HK$4.3 billion ($549.5 million) that the government is proposing to inject into the CreateSmart Initiative and the Film Development Fund.
"The content sector plays a very vital role in our society," he said.
The content industry encompasses various creative fields including movies, television and multimedia.
For younger generation
The summit "can be the beginning of collaboration of all Asian content industry players so that they can work together and make a better world for the future and the younger generation", said Fred Wang Cheung-yue, chairman of pan-Asian facilities and movie services group Salon Films in Hong Kong.
The summit was held on the sidelines of the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market, or Filmart, bringing together industry leaders from Asia, the United States, and Europe. Officials and industry insiders from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea and the Philippines shared the latest government policies for promoting film co-production and distribution, with an emphasis on encouraging cross-cultural collaboration.
Charlene Paling, deputy team leader of Entertainment and Media Group at Western Alliance Bank in the US, said co-production has many benefits, including combining cultural influences, access to top-tier talent, reducing production costs and opportunities to share expertise and experience.
However, Paling said people should also be aware of the challenges in co-production and need to understand their partners well and prepare in advance for different situations.
Alexander Amartei, CEO of Amartei Entertainment and co-producer of film Antara, noted Saudi Arabia's potential for movie industrial cooperation, especially those featuring the Middle East and North Africa.
DJ Clark, multimedia director of China Daily Asia Pacific, gave an introduction to Asia News Network, explaining how the regional alliance of news titles can help stimulate exchanges and co-production among content industries in Asia.
Experts also discussed topics such as opportunities and challenges in cross-cultural co-production financing, the adoption of technologies in co-production and the role of education in cross-cultural co-productions.
Under the theme "The Future and Opportunities of Worldwide Coproductions and Distribution", the summit was co-organized by Salon Media Lab. China Daily supported the event.
Related articles
Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. will drive the pace car for the 108th ru2024-05-21Woman accused of killing Boston police officer boyfriend was framed, attorneys say
BOSTON (AP) — A highly anticipated trial began in Massachusetts last week involving a woman accused2024-05-21Georgia lawmakers vowed to restrain tax breaks. But the governor's veto saved a data
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia lawmakers vowed they were going to rein in tax breaks for businesses this yea2024-05-21Brayan Rocchio's RBI hit in the 10th gives the Guardians a 5
CLEVELAND (AP) — Shortstop Brayan Rocchio singled home automatic runner Ramón Laureano with one out2024-05-21Minnesota Uber and Lyft driver pay package beats deadline to win approval in Legislature
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A plan to boost pay for Uber and Lyft drivers in Minnesota that lawmakers bel2024-05-21Indianapolis sports columnist won't cover Fever following awkward back
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Star sports columnist Gregg Doyel, whose interaction with WNBA No.2024-05-21
atest comment