The Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) closed its 20th edition this year from 14-17 March. The fourday event was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with a record 800 companies from 35 countries and regions in attendance. More than 7,300 buyers were welcomed this year- raking in a 3% increment over last year’s.

This year saw the largest participation from Mainland Chinese exhibitors from different provinces and cities; double-digit growth recorded from India, Korea and Vietnam; and regional pavilions hailing from the Middle East, Cambodia and Macau.

During the FILMART, Malaysia’s Animasia Studio inked a deal with Mainland’s Zero One Animation to co-produce the 3D CGI film Chuck Chicken (also known as Kungfu Chicken). The film is slated for release in early 2018 and has a budget of US$8 million.

Building a Blockbuster Franchise: IP, Brands, Story and Audience

The 20th edition also saw more than 70 events held- including seminars, press conferences and networking activities. During the ‘Building a Blockbuster Franchise: IP, Brands, Story and Audience’ seminar, veteran filmmakers shared their experiences in boosting box-office revenue through IP development.

Founder and President of Donwa Pictures, Shan Dongbing; and producer Nansun Shi pointed out that the market is increasingly interested in franchising with more companies producing franchised movies and developing peripheral products, but it may still be a while before the movie franchising trend fully catches on in the Chinese Mainland.

David Uslan, producer of the U.S. hit animation series Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch says, “Movie franchises succeed not just by selling products and making a series of related films but also the creativity of the screenwriters, actors and directors and the life they give to the characters that keeps it alive.”

“TeamTO is actively developing new animation software to enhance production quality,” says Guillaume Hellouin, Founder and CEO of TeamTO. He adds that it is also expanding its flagship line-up of original IP animation characters as well as launching mobile games and peripheral products, with great success.

Song of the Sea, an animated film by Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon, was nominated for Best Animated Feature at last year’s Academy Awards. The studio’s Managing Director, Gerry Shirren said the company places great emphasis on developing original IP products, and that investing the time required to create a quality production is the main reason for a film’s success.

Bliss Concepts Ltd from Hong Kong and DandeLion Animation Studio from Japan have their sights set on Mainland market opportunities. “The Chinese Mainland animation market is enormous, with huge demand for sustainable animation series,” says Samuel Choy, General Manager of Bliss Concepts Ltd.

Nishikawa Kazuhiro, Direcor of DandeLion Animation Studio adds, “We would study the preferences of the Chinese audience, and add Chinese cultural elements to our animation works, so that even a foreign tale would have its appeal.” Happening simultaneously alongside FILMART, the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) hit a record number of about 350 applications this year. Out of which, 25-30 items will be shortlisted for the HAF 2016 Projects.

Entertainment Expo Hong Kong (EEHK)

Launched in 2005, the EEHK attracts leading players in the Asian entertainment industry- running from 14 March through 4 April. The 12th edition of the EEHK kicked off on 14 March with attending guests including Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Hong Kong SAR Government; Margaret Fong, Executive Director, HKTDC; Terry Lai, Chairman, HKTDC Entertainment Industry Advisory Committee; and Leon Lai, Ambassador, Hong Kong Entertainment.

“The Expo is a diversified platform. It hosts trade exhibitions, serves as a film-financing marketplace, and stages various conferences and business sessions for industry players. It also encourages participation from the public in music and film festivals, and a star-dusted award presentation ceremony to honour outstanding achievements in the industry,” says Peggie Liu, Senior Service Promotion Manager, HKTDC.

She adds, “After a decade of effort and contribution from different organisers of the various events, the expo has promoted steady development of the entertainment industry and become a diverse worldclass business platform for industry players from around the world. The expo has become an annual mega event, attracting entertainment industry players all over the world to come to Hong Kong.”