Event Preview: Asia TV Forum & Market

The annual Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), which is positioned as Asia’s leading media and entertainment content market and conference, returns to the Marina Bay Sands for its 19th edition, taking place December 4 to 7.

The event is again co-located with ScreenSingapore, Southeast Asia’s marketplace for the film industry, where attendees can explore co-production opportunities, look for financing, make deals and learn about the changing film landscape.

This year, ATF and ScreenSingapore are expecting to gather more than 5,400 content buyers and sellers from Asia and beyond. These attendees will be looking to acquire knowledge, network, buy, sell, finance, distribute and co-produce across all platforms.

“For industry players looking to strengthen their presence in Asia and regional businesses seeking to broaden their global reach, ATF is a must-attend event where the global entertainment industry’s top players will congregate,” says Hui Leng Yeow, group project director of ATF and ScreenSingapore at Reed Exhibitions.

Last year, ATF facilitated $289 million in deals, according to Yeow. “We anticipate that the market will be equally vibrant this year, with the latest content for multiple platforms from content sellers and buyers from over 60 countries.”

For the conference portion, the sessions at the ATF Leaders’ Summit, taking place December 4, will focus on “The Next New,” featuring forward-looking strategies. Keynotes include Curt Marvis, CEO and co-founder of QYOU. Andy Kaplan, media industry advisor and non-executive chairman of QYOU India, will also be taking to the stage. The ATF Leaders’ Summit will also see presentations from Howard T. Owens, founder and co-CEO of Propagate Content; Ricky Ow, the president of Turner Asia Pacific; Aneesh Madani, head of sports partnerships at Twitter (AsiaPac); Peter Bithos, CEO of HOOQ; and Vincent Reyes, president and CEO of the Philippines’ TV5.

On December 5, Content Connection will feature sessions to uncover strategic opportunities in dynamic market conditions and showcase scripted and unscripted formats from India, South Korea, Turkey and Thailand. The following day, creators and producers will be discussing relevant issues and exploring case studies with format experts and creative leaders on Production Day. The day will be headlined by Jennifer Batty, chief content officer of HOOQ, and Craig Galvin, global director of short-form content at iflix. Keri Lewis Brown, CEO and founder of K7 Media, will be keynoting both Content Connection and Production Day to reveal top fresh content from Asia.

“As Asia’s leading content market, ATF believes not just in presenting the best content, but also in supporting outstanding talent through three competitions,” says Yeow. These pitching sessions include ATF Animation Pitch, taking place under the tagline “Believe. Dream. And finally…Dare.” Following a live pitch on December 6, the winner will receive a $19,000 prize, comprising a $2,500 cash award and a consultancy package to the value of $16,500. The ATF Chinese Pitch is a partnership with G.H.Y Culture & Media. Targeted at Asian content creators, the pitching competition will bring concepts for new and original scripts for theatrical or online movies, or online drama series to fruition in the Chinese market. Those offered an IP rights buyout will receive S$15,000 in cash. For creators and producers of new and original non-scripted entertainment formats in Asia, the ATF Formats Pitch will showcase the best of Asia and expose ideas for export and development both inside and outside the region. The winner will receive S$5,000 in cash to develop the idea.

“As Asia’s leading entertainment content event, ATF is the premier stage in Asia to engage with the entertainment industry’s top players from around the world, where the best minds meet and the future of Asia’s content is shaped,” says Yeow. “Into our 19th edition, ATF remains committed to gathering the most relevant and current industry leaders to speak at our conference, to enable delegates to develop a deep understanding of current and emerging trends in rapidly developing Asia. Together with pitch competitions, which provide budding creatives a platform to bring their fresh format or animation concepts to fruition, ATF is a must-attend event for sealing deals, knowledge exchange, cementing partnerships and to discover the vibrant future of entertainment.”

ATF and ScreenSingapore will be shining a spotlight on the Philippines this year. Key Filipino media companies and content buyers and sellers—the likes of ABS-CBN Corporation and GMA Worldwide—will be participating in the four-day business event. Additionally, at the Philippine pavilion, the Film Development Council of the Philippines is expected to bring more than 30 other delegates, including independent producers and filmmakers.