Arts and Culture

OVERVIEW

This meeting brought together European film distributors and Asian representatives of independent cinema to discuss issues relating to film distribution and suggest recommendations for improvement.

THE ISSUES

- How to facilitate the distribution of Asian independent movies in Europe beyond the European Film Festivals

- How to improve distribution channels from commercial Asian movies to more artistic ones

THE RECOMMENDATIONS

- Create a market for independent cinema and educate audiences in Asia (more film festivals, independent film screenings) and Europe (more Asian film screenings)

- Develop film distribution through such channels as TV and DVD (DVDs represent a big potential market for artistic films)

- Encourage governments and national film commissions to support independent local cinema

- Support Asian filmmakers' participation in European film festivals

The meeting also saw the launch of the SEA Images website, which hosts information on improving the Asia-Europe film exchange, as well as details on cinemas, funding agencies, and film production and distribution companies in Asia and Europe.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Goteborg Film Festival