ATF: talent + content + financing

In terms of production, quality and volume, there is a notorious increase of Japan Thailand and Philippines. Japan has doubled the space in the MBS with the top providers plus regional networks and smaller producers. The country is pushing boundaries in terms of drama series, which are gaining strategic markets in SEA region but also abroad.

At JKN Media screening, Thai drama showed a big evolution in quality but also in storytelling. ‘We are producing between 30 to 40 titles a year, this is some 1,000 new hours’, underlined Ronnapong Kamnuanthip, Chief Commercial Officer, BEC World. On average a drama series costs in Thailand between USD 50-70,000 per episode.

Philippines is rapidly becoming a true sales force, not only in the APAC region but also worldwide with new sales confirmed in Latin America and Africa. Moreover, on of the two largest media groups, ABS-CBN is going further: it has launched at MIPCOM and ATF Your Moment, a entertainment format co-developed with Fritz (Netherland).

At the Opening Ceremony yesterday, S Iswaran, Minister of Communications and Information, said: ‘This is a special for ATF, for our region and especially for our country. We are going under deep changes in the global industry for which Singapore is adapting by offering better conditions for content development and production, as well as providing talented filmmakers and new funds to boost the audiovisual industry’.

In recent years, there has been a rise of "Made in Singapore" films, created by local talents with international partners. ‘IMDA has partnered Facebook, Disney, Grab and Vice Media to take the work of digital creators to regional and global audiences. The first ones has launched a second call-for-proposals to support this movement. Entity will also partner CJ E&M, HOOQ, Tencent and Viacom’.

Financing is another key aspect: the “Public Service Media Digital Partnership Fund” supports collaborations between local companies and international players. A call-for-proposals for “SEA Co-Production Grant” was also launched earlier this year, with the same objective: IMDA received 26 applications and the Grant has been awarded to eight projects, of which three are by first-time filmmakers. ‘We are launching a “Financing Partnership Program” for which IMDA is setting aside USD 14.65 millions’, added the minister.

Last but not least, talent. ‘Our media talent continues to have the opportunity to develop their skillsets through a range of initiatives. For example, IMDA will collaborate with CJ E&M on a series of master classes and training workshops. The Story Lab Apprenticeships program already received 1,000 applications for 36 apprenticeships. In addition to Beach House Pictures, GHY Culture and Media, Mediacorp and mm2, HBO Asia is on board offering internships in scriptwriting and production’, concluded Iswaran.

On the digital side, India is great case to follow. More players are entering the VOD space. Viacom18’s VOOT Kids has been launched as a standalone app not only offering video, but also learning, reading and learn sections: ‘We have 15,000 hours of content available, 80% of them licensed and 20% original. We are now operating domestically, but we are planning to launch the app focusing on the Indian diaspora in USA and UK’.

Owned by Times Internet, MX Player is one of the biggest AVODs, which is also launching and SVOD next year. It reaches 70 millions users in regions as Punjabi, Tamil and Bhogpur with licensed (90%) and original content (10%) and focusing both, English and non-English audiences. ‘We are producing more original shows and planning a big expansion in 20+ territories within the next 18 months. AVOD is strong in India and abroad. 90% of the consumption of our app happens on mobile’, completed Mansi Shivastav, SVP, Global Acquisitions and Alliances.

Fabricio Ferrara, from Singapore