TV BRICS took part at Asian Film Market Development and Distribution Cooperation Forum

Asian Film Market Development and Distribution Cooperation Forum was held on Friday, 18 November.

The event, held both online and offline, focuses on developing a modern, future-oriented and popular socialist culture.

The main topics of the Forum were: 

• Content capacity and development status of Asian film and television drama market

• The direction and trend of content distribution cooperation

• Focus on world content and Chinese content

• Possibility of cooperation in new models and new content in the future

Asian Film Market Development and Distribution Cooperation Forum was moderated by Ge Lee, Chairman of the Beijing International Children's Film Festival Organising Committee.

Janna Tolstikova, CEO of the TV BRICS International Media Network, delivered a speech at the event. She spoke about the importance of the current forum and the work of TV BRICS.

“We are absolutely convinced that this remarkable event should be considered as an effective peculiar platform in achieving new experiences and promoting international media cooperation in Asia in media and film field as well as creating more "best practices" for development cooperation around Asian region. In turn, TV BRICS, having its reliable partners in 5 BRICS member states, puts its efforts in making this event world-known and covered at the highest professional level,” said CEO of TV BRICS.

She noted that the first step to get closer to new film markets to approach the international viewers is free content exchange that TV BRICS focuses on.

“The first thing you should do, is to engage with your audience, but not to prioritize the commercial benefits, trying to sell the product at the most possible highest price, it’s more important to become better acquainted with your audience and make them interested in your product. <…> We, in TV BRICS, truly believe that non-commercial content exchange is the basis that summarize the right introduction of the country and the filmmaking industry,” – she added.

She gave an emphasis to the work of the organization in the context of the most successful ways of distributing content in different countries.

“We have solid partner network consists of more than 40 media outlets. As a hub, we enable this exchange to facilitate content distribution among the BRICS countries. We have broadcasted so far several Chinese TV Serials and we found the big interest from the audience to local cultural values, to the history of China and to the daily issues of Chinese people. I would like to point your attention that the content we work with is multi-genre and is dedicated to traditions and history, culture and sports, and the peculiarities of the modern life of our five countries.”

Janna Tolstikova CEO of the TV BRICS International Media Network

One of the first speakers at the forum was Su Jing, Casting Director, French Association of New Film Technologies, Member of Film Selection Committee of the Asian International Film Week. She talked about their company's contribution to the distribution of Asian films.

“We promote our new technology through international film festivals, especially in Cannes Film Festival. <…> Our company distribute excellent Asian films to other countries and directors,” – she said.

Yin Chenghui, director of the International Committee of the Korean Chinese Film Forum Association, noted the growing popularity of Korean films and TV series in China and around the world. He also stressed that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea

Fariha Jahhat Mim, film activist, director of Children’s Film Society (CFS), Bangladesh, spoke about the possible cooperation of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan in making films. She considers it necessary for local filmmakers to cooperate with filmmakers from other countries.

“I think international scholarships for Bangladesh filmmakers open new windows for us. <…> Our creators are looking for more international platforms,” – the film activist said. 

Jacky, project manager of Century Yo Yo, Thailand, told to listeners which TV drama themes are most popular in Thailand. According to her report, the majority of Thais (37%) prefer comedy dramas. 16.55% of respondents stated that they liked to watch life-style dramas, 15.5% – action dramas and 8.5% – romantic dramas.

Jacky also noted that the content viewing behavior of Chinese and Thai people is not much different. Most of them focus mainly on the actors. After that, it is about plays roll that have interesting contents and are pleasing to the audience.

The event is organised by Asia International Film Week, Beijing International Children's Film Festival and TV BRICS.

TV BRICS is a media partner of the Forum.

Photo: IStock / screenshots of the meeting