In its 13th edition this December, the Asia Television Forum (ATF) is undergoing a number of changes as it evolves into a “comprehensive entertainment content marketplace for all platforms,” according to Hui Leng Yeow, project director at ATF organizer Reed Exhibitions.<\/p>\n
For the first time, ATF is taking place alongside the film market ScreenSingapore, and is expanding into a four-day event, kicking off with a pre-market conference on Tuesday, December 4. Delegates can expect to hear about “issues close to the Asian content industry,” says Yeow. “This is an extension of the marketplace to provide more learning opportunities to the attendees. It is a must-attend conference before the action kicks off on the show floor the next day. The conference is part of the ATF offering, with no separate registration fee required.”<\/p>\n
The panels will cover a broad array of topics, beginning with an opening keynote on Tuesday morning about the growth expected in Asian media over the next decade. Next up will be a session with two executives from Marvel: Cort Lane, the VP of animation development and production, and C.B. Cebulski, the senior VP of creator and content development. At noon, Hary Tanoesoedibjo, group president and CEO of media conglomerate MNC, will discuss the potential of Indonesia’s fast-developing media market as part of the Asian Broadcaster Series of panels, which will also include Ahn Taeg Ho from Korea’s MBC at 2 p.m. The Korean trend continues with SBS producer Cho Hyo Jin discussing the hit show Running Man<\/em>. China takes the spotlight for the next two sessions: one on branded entertainment and one on selling formats into the country. Later in the day will be a session on factual content with A+E Networks’ Christian Murphy, and the Tuesday panels wrap with former News Corporation executive Michelle Guthrie, now the Asia Pacific director of strategic business development for Google\/YouTube, discussing the future of television.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, following the official opening ceremony with Singapore’s information, communications and arts minister, Yaacob Ibrahim, there will be a series of discussions and case studies on China’s film business. The afternoon sessions will explore online content distribution.<\/p>\n Animation will be the focus of the Thursday morning sessions, with a keynote from Rovio’s Nick Dorra and a panel on co-productions and financing. Later in the day will be panels on documentary pitching, and formats, leading into a discussion and screening of the International Emmy Award nominees. “It has always been ATF’s focus to bring together the brightest minds in the industry and this partnership with the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, to debut the International Emmy Award Nominees showcase, strengthens our role in the industry,” Yeow says. “Under this showcase, our attendees will have the opportunity to meet, be inspired by and learn from their peers in Asia who have been nominated for the distinguished global television award.”<\/p>\n Wrapping up the conference schedule on Friday will be two sessions on formats, one with producer Alexis de Gemini and the other with Talpa’s Maarten Meijs.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, on the show floor, the contingent of sellers will include 12 country delegations, including returning pavilions from China, Japan, France, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore, and a new group from Australia.<\/p>\n