The enduring popularity of Asian LGBT and horror genres, and the relationship with streaming giant Netflix, were among the topics discussed at a lively panel on distribution at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents and Film Market.
“I hate the fact that all producers want to work with Netflix, it also kills international sales. Because if all the big titles go to Netflix, it leaves very little room for independent distributors,” said Chen Shao-Yi, general manager of Screenworks Asia. “We also love Netflix because they give us money, so it’s really a love-hate relationship.”
Chen’s fellow panelists were Nelson Mok, agent at WME Independent, and Valeska Neu, international sales agent at Films Boutique, and the panel was moderated by Lorna Tee, curator of Malaysian film incubator programme Mylab.
Both Mok and Neu talked about making filmmakers known in the market so that buyers get used to them and look forward to their next film. “We try to build up and invest in the talent. For example, if you have a first-time filmmaker, as we do now with ‘Tiger Stripes’ [Amanda Nell Eu’s Cannes-winning film], we try to get the film out as much as possible so that she’s more established and people can see her work around the world. That is very important.
