World Screen

SINGAPORE: The first-ever Singapore Media Festival (SMF), hosted by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), kicks off on December 4 with an aim to shine a light on Southeast Asia's growing media industry. The event combines the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), ScreenSingapore …

SINGAPORE: Natalie Lawley, the managing director of Escapade Media, says that business has been going well since the company launched about a year ago, especially within the AsiaPac region.  At ATF, the company is presenting the feature The Lovers, which is led by Hollywood star Josh Hartnett and Indian actress …

SYDNEY: Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is building out its international production business with the acquisition of the Australian indie producer Playmaker Media, which is behind the drama House Husbands. As part of this agreement, SPT’s distribution arm will now sell Playmaker programs and formats throughout the rest of the world. …

SINGAPORE: TV5 has aligned with Brand New Media (BNM) to launch a new multichannel Internet TV network in the Philippines in February 2015. The platform, 4ME, will feature original content produced in the Philippines and internationally for a network of lifestyle channels. Topics will cover food, health, fashion, comedy, travel, …

SINGAPORE: For ABS-CBN International Distribution, which is heading to ATF next week, traditional family dramas that feature strong elements of romance continue to sell best. At ATF, the company is showcasing Tomorrow Belongs to Me, about a woman seeking revenge against her true love after surviving a devastating accident. “We …

SINGAPORE: As part of an ongoing Asian expansion, Bomanbridge Media has opened an office in Mumbai, to be led by former FremantleMedia exec Arpit Agarwal. The new hub marks the company’s fourth base, with offices recently announced for Korea and Mongolia, in addition to the original Singapore headquarters. The expansion comes …

MELBOURNE: As part of a new management structure, Seven West Media is eliminating the position of COO, which sees the departure of Nick Chan, and will soon appoint a director of television operations. Tim Worner, the CEO of Seven West Media, will retain direct management responsibility for the broadcast TV …

SINGAPORE: activeTV Asia, which produces The Amazing Race Philippines, is due to open a new production center based in Manila. Local production company Mandala Productions will provide logistics, manpower and strategic support, with Johanna Kirsten Lagman stepping in as executive producer of the new initiative. The company will initially focus …

SINGAPORE: In Great White Matrix, from ABC Commercial, viewers join navy diver and shark-attack survivor Paul de Gelder, along with legendary shark-mad camera­man Andy Casagrande, on an undersea mission. “The program uses cutting-edge time-slice camera technology in a way that’s never been done successfully before,” says Robyn Campbell, sales manager …

SINGAPORE: Marking CJ E&M Corporation’s big comeback to daily drama production is Family Secrets, the first Chilean scripted series to be remade in Korea. The company is hoping to secure sales in the Asia-Pacific region for this title, along with Misaeng, which is based on a popular webtoon. “Misaeng portrays …