Asian and European Film Associations Seek Common Ground at Cannes – Global Bulletin
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The 37-member European Film Agency Directors Association and the Asian Film Alliance Network, which was established this time last year and currently has seven members, have agreed to work together on topics of common interest and to jointly develop a better world film ecosystem.
At a meeting this week held on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival, EFAD and AFAN promised to enhance understanding and collaboration between Asian and European national film agencies. Topics included: dialog on policy and regulations; the development of the film industry in both regions; and addressing new media and challenges ahead.
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Separately, the founding AFAN members convened for a closed-door roundtable discussion on May 16. Japan’s National Film Archive and Agency of Cultural Affairs Japan and Thailand’s National Soft Power Development Subcommittee in Film Industry also participated as observers.
AFAN discussions put a spotlight on some of the top film markets in Asia: including Busan’s Asian Film & Contents Market (South Korea), the Singapore Media Festival, Taiwan Creative Content Fest, Qcinema Project Market (The Philippines) and Jogja NETPAC Asian Film Festival / JAFF Market (Indonesia).
The founder members of AFAN are: Korean Film Council (Kofic); Indonesian Film Board/ Ministry of Education, Culture, Research & Technology, Indonesia (BPI); Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP); National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS); The Infocomm Media Development Authority/ Singapore Film Commission (IMDA/ SFC); Mongolian National Film Commission (MNFC); and Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA). In 2024, Indonesia is the host for AFAN.
THROUGH THE LENS
Filmmaker Jay Van Hoy (“American Honey,” “The Witch”) is joining pan-Asian film company Through The Lens Entertainment, as its chief producing officer, to set up a new collective of behind the camera talent, and bring a new way of thinking and a modern eco system to film production.
Through the Lens was launched by Aditya Chand in 2021 and hit its stride last year. Among its current projects and set for an August start of production in Thailand is the Deepa Mehta-directed serial killer film “Troilokya.”
WILD STORIES
Merlin Entertainments has partnered with audio platform Yoto for a new 30-minute story adventure titled “BrainBots: Wildlife Defenders.” Teaching kids how to protect endangered wildlife, it is inspired by animals at Merlin’s Chessington World of Adventures, including Humboldt penguins, Rothschild giraffes, Southern White rhinos and Colombian Spider monkeys.
The collaboration is the latest example of Merlin’s move into storytelling. Last month the theme park operator revealed it had signed a deal with media company Wheelhouse to develop shows inspired by Merlin’s portfolio, including The London Eye and Chessington’s World of Adventures among others.
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