Building Discussion Spaces to Break Genre Boundaries and Reach Asian Markets

The “Industry Talk” program, themed “Genre Frontiers: Exploring Genre Markets in Asia,” closed the series of talks at Jakarta Film Week 2024 on October 27, 2024. Held at the Mercure Hotel Cikini in Central Jakarta, the event featured Matthew Poon (Senior Project Manager at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Industry), Jongsuk Thomas Nam (Festival Programmer of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival & Managing Director of the Network of Asian Fantastic Films), and Susanti Dewi (Producer & Head of IDN Pictures). The discussion was moderated by Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, Co-Founder of Autumn Meeting, and attended by around 20 invited guests from the film industry.

The event attracted film industry professionals interested in exploring and discussing the Asian film market, including the dynamics, challenges, and opportunities within it. Thomas Nam highlighted the growing quality of the Asian film industry, with BIFAN aiming to provide a platform for filmmakers to develop their work. “BIFAN seeks to introduce new elements to the film industry, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), and to create spaces for genre filmmakers,” Thomas stated.

Matthew Poon added that, as one of the largest and most influential film festivals in Asia, the HKIFF Industry supports film professionals through various programs, including pitching sessions, networking events, workshops, masterclasses, as well as forums and discussions. “Through our programs, filmmakers can exchange ideas and develop their genres with filmmakers from around the world,” said Matthew.

In this session, Thomas Nam also shared key tips for filmmakers preparing to pitch their projects, including creating a solid script, preparing visual materials, and crafting a clear, concise synopsis. According to Thomas, a good script should not only have a strong storyline but also deep characters and engaging dialogue. Visual elements, such as mood boards or sample images, can help convey the creative vision effectively, while a compact synopsis quickly captures the audience’s attention and provides a clear picture of the project’s core story and appeal.

Susanti Dewi added that young filmmakers’ participation is essential to introduce new horizons and perspectives that enrich genre diversity within Indonesia’s film industry. “We need new participants in the film industry to create new horizons. Right now, what’s important is presenting a good story to open up new perspectives,” she explained.

This program offered in-depth insights into strategies and potential within Asia’s genre markets. This enthusiastic discussion not only opened up collaboration opportunities but also strengthened the understanding of the importance of creative and inclusive storytelling in making breakthroughs in the film industry. The hope is that this program will inspire Indonesian filmmakers to contribute to enriching the Asian film industry.

Follow the entire series of events at Jakarta Film Week 2024. For more information on programs and events, visit www.jakartafilmweek.com and follow us on social media at @jakartafilmweek. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this year’s international cinema celebration in Jakarta!

Asia Khairunnisa Luthan | Nanda Hadiyanti