ATF Conference Opens with Focus on Local Creativity, Digital Distribution Models

SINGAPORE: The pre-ATF and ScreenSingapore conference kicked off in Singapore today with a keynote by Sanford Panitch, the president of Fox International Productions, discussing the growth potential in Asia, the development of the local film market and the need for digital distribution platforms that provide consumers with legitimate access to content on multiple devices.

Panitch runs the international productions division of Twentieth Century Fox, which has produced more than 40 films in 11 international markets. He began his keynote discussing the challenges faced by the global content business, including audience fragmentation, a declining DVD market and the rise of low-cost entertainment alternatives for consumers. However, the "challenges are far outweighed by the opportunities," with developments in international markets and digital platforms representing a new phase of growth for the industry. Asia, in particular, holds great potential for content owners. For example, Panitch said that China will surpass the U.S. as the world’s largest theatrical market within a decade.

To fully realize the potential of the Asian market, three steps are needed: the modernization of theatrical infrastructure, the development of downstream revenues, notably digital home entertainment, and "we must provide audiences with better and easier access to content on a legitimate basis."

Panitch continued, "We must dream of making a more robust and vital ancillary [revenue] industry in Asia." That means delivering "compelling, original, high-quality content, whether it be from Hollywood or Asia or both," and "technology to deliver it in a variety of ways and business models to provide value to both distributors and consumers." It also means tackling intellectual property theft from a variety of angles, including government action against pirate sites and educating the public. In addition, "studios and platforms must also do our part to innovate on our distribution."