Talad Nang, the film market held during Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF), has wrapped with enthusiastic response from both international buyers and Thai sales companies.
This year, the market adopted a different model through a business matching system that offered international buyers the rare opportunity to be situated at their own dedicated stations for Thai sellers to come and meet them. It is a reversal of the usual market booths concept when buyers move around to meet sellers.
Almost 30 international buyers were invited to attend the two-day market (September 22-23) held at Nex Hall, Siam Paragon. The attending buyers included: Hong Kong’s Golden Scene; Taiwan’s Vie Vision Pictures; Singapore’s Lighthouse Film and Purple Plan; China’s Hishow, Light Films and MelodyStar Film; and Vietnam’s Runup Vietnam and Skyline Media.
Several veteran buyers told Screen that it marked the first time they were given their own desk at a market and appreciated this novel arrangement by organisers. Many reported productive back-to-back meetings with local Thai sales and production companies. Each meeting slot was set for 30 minutes, after which alarms installed around the market would go off to indicate the end of the session and the start of a new one.
“It was thought-provoking,” said Chua Hui Hui, director of content acquisitions at 7cc, the Singapore-based venture of 66cc company group (fka Distribution Workshop).
“Talad Nang not only brought new titles, it introduced Thai companies that we may not have had easy access to. Since both buyers and Thai companies were brought in by organisers, we could approach each other with confidence.”
Chua usually buys for multiple territories, including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
“Being able to exchange ideas with multi-disciplinary Thai companies in film production, talent and event management made the trip very worthwhile,” she added. “I believe this bridging has laid good ground for us to explore interesting avenues for our films.”
Among the string of Thai companies that attended the business matching meetings were GDH 559, Thirteen Studio, De Warrenne Pictures, M Distribution, Sahamongkolfilm International, Five Star Production, Mono Streaming and True CJ Creations.
After wrapping Talad Nang, BKKIFF’s industry programme also included a project pitching event, which comprised 10 international projects and 10 Thai projects.
The festival runs until September 27.
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