Asia''s first 3-in-1 media festival to be held in Singapore

Singapore: Asia's 3-in-1 media festival, comprising Asia Television Forum 2002, Asia Animation 2002, and the first Asia Film Market & Conference, will be held during 2-5 December at Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort.

This year's media festival promises to be a star-studded event with special appearances by celebrities including Michelle Yeoh - producer and lead actress of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and Lee Sin-je - winner of the Best Leading Actress Award (The Eye) at this year's 39th Golden Horse Awards.

Over 1,500 of Asia's best and the world's leading film production companies, producers, animators, trade professionals as well as buyers and sellers in TV, film and animation from 35 countries are expected to attend. With over 250 leading companies participating in the event, the event also features four country groups from France, Canada, Singapore and Spain as the latest addition.

Featuring over 70 international and local speakers, high-level conferences will be staged comprising TV, film and animation which serves as a key driving component. 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 & marketing strategies. There will also be a showcase of Asian animation award-winning entries.

Senior management from both Asian and international corporations will participate as panel speakers at the conference.

Lim Hock Chuan, CEO, Singapore Broadcasting Authority said, "I congratulate Reed Exhibitions Singapore for organising the first-ever Asia Film & Market Conference (AFMC), alongside the already established Asia Television Forum (ATF), Asia Animation and the Asian TV Awards. 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."

While ATF returns with the second edition of SuperPitch, Asia Animation SuperPitch's debut will reward outstanding animation content creators from over 120 entries across 26 countries, who will stand a chance to win a cash prize towards the programme's production. Both sessions will be moderated by renowned industry personality Pat Ferns from BANFF Television Foundation.

In conjunction with the 1st Asia Film Market and Conference, the event will also host three full days of screenings and film premieres hailing from across 13 countries including France, Germany, Italy, China, Spain, Taiwan, Brazil, USA, Japan, India, Korea, Vietnam and Singapore. This first effort has received very positive response from the sellers.

Highlights of the event include Asian premieres, screenings, celebrity presence, the 7th Asian Television Awards, Beach/Foam Party, Opening Ceremony, Opening Party at the whole-new Sentosa Musical Fountain and a host of other activities.

Mr. Jonathan Hallett, Publishing Director of Television Asia and Asia Image, co-organisers of Asia Television Forum and Asia Animation, said, "The Asia Television Forum and the Asia Film Market and Conference offers an environment conducive to negotiating partnerships, alliances and a range of other production relationships within Asia and around the world."