ATF Kicks Off in Singapore

Asia TV Forum & Market and ScreenSingapore officially opened today with attendance expected to hit 5,400 delegates, with some 750 exhibiting companies and close to 1,000 buyers.

ATF is now in its 18th edition, while ScreenSingapore is in its 7th. “With the world setting their sights on Asia as the rising region that will fuel growth going forward, ATF and ScreenSingapore is now a must-attend annual industry gathering where the future of Asia’s entertainment content industry is shaped,” said Debbie Evans, the president of Southeast Asia and Australia at Reed Exhibitions, at this morning’s opening ceremony.

Evans noted that there are a record 24 exhibiting pavilions at this year’s market, among them Australia, China, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, South Korea, Turkey and the U.K. The Singapore pavilion is touting some 800 hours of content.

She also announced the creation of an online movie pitch for the Chinese market, in association with Perfect World Pictures. “The first edition is set to take place in 2018 with the objective of facilitating the best Asian original ideas to enter China’s rising online video market.” ATF this year introduced an Animation Pitch, with Green Gold Animation, and is hosting the second edition of the Formats Pitch, backed by all3media international.

“As the leading gateway into Asia, each edition of ATF and ScreenSingapore offers new content from and for the region and beyond,” said Yeow Hui Leng, senior project director for the two events. “Nurturing Asian talent is top of mind for us, and we are very privileged to have Perfect World Pictures join hands with us for another quality platform that will allow Asian content creators to put forth their best ideas and concepts to fruition in China.”

Addressing attendees this morning, Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information and Health, touted the rising success of Asian content worldwide. “Asian stories are gaining popularity with global audiences,” he said. “Asian content can also attribute its growing success to digital technology and rising internet connectivity, which have helped to bring Asian stories to a global audience.”

Chee mentioned various IMDA initiatives to support the Singaporean content sector, including new partnerships with Viddsee, HBO Asia and Discovery Networks Asia. He also discussed the new Tripartite Standard on the Procurement of Services from Media Freelancers, which must be adopted by companies beginning April 1, 2018, in order for them to qualify for IMDA grants and PSB content funding. The Standard governs terms related to contracts, timely payment, dispute resolution and insurance for media freelancers.