Asian Distributors Satisfied with Film Quality at Cannes Market

Despite shorter queues for market demonstrations, managers of top Asian distributors are pleased with the quality of films offered and are confident that they will return home with busy slates.

Focus on Arthouse and Animation

Increased arthouse, particularly animation, is a focus for Edko Films in Hong Kong after the success of an Oscar winner. General Manager Mandy Lam has made offers for several titles and is confident that she can secure them before leaving the market. With over 10 films seen on Saturday, Lam is satisfied with the quality of the films and is looking forward to adding them to her slate.

Blind Offers and Strategic Buying

Singapore’s Lighthouse Film Distribution has made two blind offers, one for a festival title and one for a project in development. According to the company’s founder, Thomas Chia, "It’s brave, but I know the director’s work and the project well, so it’s worth the risk." This strategic approach to buying is a common theme among distributors, who are being more selective and targeted in their acquisitions.

Commercial Titles in Demand

Phong Duong, Business Director of Vietnam’s Mockingbird Pictures, is looking for commercial titles from Midnight Screenings. The company publishes films from Japan, Korea, Thailand, and the USA, and Duong is confident that he can find outstanding titles despite a slower market. "Both buyers and sellers are more strategic, which makes outstanding titles more competitive," he noted.

A Positive Outlook

Despite the slower market, distributors are remaining positive and focused on finding the best films. With a more strategic approach to buying and selling, the market is becoming more competitive, but distributors are confident that they can secure the titles they need to succeed. As the market continues, it will be interesting to see which films emerge as the most popular and which distributors come out on top.