Singapore to host media festival
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
From Dec. 2 to Dec. 5, Singapore will host Asia's first three-in- one media festival: the Asia Television Forum (ATF) 2002, the Asia Animation (AA) 2002 and the Asia Film Market and Conference (AFMC).
To be staged at the Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort, the event will draw over 1,500 leading film production companies from all over the world.
Producers, animators, and trade professionals, as well as buyers and sellers in television, film and animation from 35 countries will also be present.
The festival promises to be a star-studded event with special appearances by celebrities including Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh and leading actress Lee Sin-je of The Eye.
This year's combined event will mark the third year for ATF, the second for AA and the first for AFMC.
"The launch of AFMC contributes to the objective to offer a comprehensive and integrated platform for TV, film and animation producers, distributors, buyers and broadcasters to meet, exchange ideas, carry out business transactions, explore co- production opportunities and promote Asian content," said Lim Hock Chuan, CEO of Singapore Broadcasting Authority, which is supporting the event.
Featuring over 70 international and local speakers, high-level conferences will be staged as a key driving component, comprising of TV, film and animation.
Key topics include: Asian and international programming trends, programming format development, co-production in the Asian film market, latest digital technologies, interactive applications, case studies, branded entertainment, financing, the next generation of viewing, and distribution and marketing strategies.
This year marks the debut of the Animation SuperPitch, a highlight session of a comprehensive conference program designed for top management personnel of animation studios and production houses, as well as content creators such as animators and designers from across 26 countries. There will also be a showcase of award-winning Asian animation.
As for the AFMC, the event will host three full days of screenings and film premieres from 13 countries including France, Taiwan, Brazil, the United States, Japan, India, Korea, Vietnam and Singapore.
Highlights of the event include Asian premieres, the 7th Asian Television Awards, beach/foam party, opening ceremony and gala party at the brand new Sentosa Musical Fountain.
"This media festival is an ideal platform for regional media players to present and discuss their ideas and visions for the future of our industry. The Asia Television Forum and the Asia Film Market and Conference also offer an environment conducive to negotiating partnerships, alliances and a range of other production relationships within Asia and around the world," said Jonathan Hallett, publishing director of Television Asia and Asia Image, co-organizer of the Asia Television Forum and Asia Animation.