ATF 2016: the best of APAC in one place

Several market-focused panels from Indochina, Southeast Asia, Turkey, and Korea will take place in the four days of the shows. New facets include a Chinese commissioners gathering, a VC panel for kids that will lead into a networking session, International co-production for kids content, formats in Asia and screening for both kids content and web series. 

‘ATF constantly evolves and adapts’, says Yeow Hui Leng, senior project director, ATF & ScreenSingapore, Reed Exhibitions. She adds: ‘Digital Showcase will present the one of the latest evolution of content, along with various technologies that supports this growing appendage: it includes the opportunity for attendees to delve deep into VR with the VR fireside chats, coupled with an experiential zone, leading to ATF’s Digital Corridor, where technology players integral to the media and entertainment industry are present for the first time’.

The ATF C-Level Summit 2016 will focus on “Managing the Business of Disruptors”, where C-suites from Asia and beyond will provide valuable analysis and insight into this what seems like an eternally-embryonic landscape of the digital realm. The tradeshow continues to be a vital platform for producers. 

The new initiative for TV players is the inaugural ATF Formats Pitch 2016, a partnership with all3media International (UK). Hui Leng: ‘Asian-based producers looking to take their ideas across and outside of the region with an established format distributor should participate to connect producers and their in-development unscripted formats with commissioners, investors, and co-production partners’.

Participants stand a chance to win a S$20,000 (USD 14,692) prize from all3media, comprising a S$3,500 (USD 2,571) cash award and a consultancy package to the value of S$16,500 (USD 12,120), customised for the winner to develop their format, making it ready to pitch to broadcasters.

Producers seeking opportunities for their big break could also submit their projects to ATF Formats Pitch and Southeast Asian Film Financing (SAFF) Project Market. ‘This is Southeast Asia’s first co-production project market that aims to match promising feature-length projects with a global network of media financiers, distributors, and collaborators who can bring these projects to fruition’, she highlights.

Regarding conference highlights, Hui Leng says: ‘The Analyst Super Panel gathers distinguished analysts from the world’s most renowned research houses for an exclusive, all-rounded discourse on the future of entertainment content and its fraternities. For the first time, C-suites from Southeast Asia’s telecom giants will present their thoughts on the industry in one sitting’.

During Junior@ATF, producers can gain perspective on extending their brands beyond TV screens, through various collaborations. Formats@ATF will delve into “TV’s Future in Asian Formats”, providing intelligence into regional trends and opportunities. ‘This day will also ponder on formats co-production, where new evaluations are addressed on privacy, environment, consumption patterns and political developments. The day also tackles formats for the small screens, attempting to discourse on what it takes to be small screen savvy’, explains Hui Leng.

With Asia holding 4 of the top 10 biggest pay TV markets globally, ATF’s Asian-focused tracks provide vital insights and connections necessary to make a footprint in this region. According to Ovum, the APAC region will have 903 million TV households by 2020, an increase of over 100 million compared with 2014 (Telecom Asia’s Asia Pacific TV Market Outlook). 

‘If you are keen to get a slice of this burgeoning multi-billion-dollar market, ATF is the place to be. It brings together movers and shakers from across Asia Pacific, providing insights and opening doors to untapped markets with immerse potential such as the Indochina region’, she completes.