It’s been difficult to avoid KPop Demon Hunters this week, so I’m starting with an item on this pop culture phenomenon, not least because I was surprised to read that it’s become Netflix’s most watched English-language film of all time. As I watched the animated film
Rolling list of submissions for the Best International Feature category of the Oscars from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Sales agents are in brackets after each title, where known. JAPAN: Kokuho, dir: Lee Sang-il (Pyramide International) JORDAN: All That’s Left Of You, dir: Cherien Dabis (The Match Factory)
Adam Elliot's Memoir Of A Snail, Paolo Genovese's Madly and Bambi: The Reckoning have been added to China's release schedule.
Before we dig into this week’s stories, just a quick note to say that Streamlined’s upgrade is now complete. I’ve moved off Substack and both the newsletters and the website that was previously known as Streamlined Global (with an archive of ten years of industry news) are
Below is a list of films selected for the main sections of Toronto and San Sebastian film festivals, originating from or mostly filmed in Asia, Africa and the Middle East (or from filmmakers originating from these regions but based elsewhere) with sales agents and nationalities of co-production partners where known.
Southeast Asia buzz projects, from development to post-production and soon to be premiering at festivals.
UPDATED: Below is a list of films selected for the main sections of Locarno and Venice film festivals, originating from or mostly filmed in Asia, Africa and the Middle East (or from filmmakers originating from these regions but based elsewhere) with sales agents and nationalities of co-production partners where known.
'Hair, Paper, Water...' directed by Nicolas Graux and Trương Minh Quy won the top prize in the Filmmakers of the Present competition.
Zimbabwe's Black Snake and Nigeria's Kachifo (Till The Morning Comes) were among the major winners.
Golden Horse Film Project Promotion has selected 14 projects for the sixth edition of its Series section.
This edition of Streamlined is looking at 2025 first half box office and upcoming films in Japan and South Korea. Following this newsletter, Streamlined will be taking a two-week break to finish the final stages of its platform upgrade. If you experience any problems accessing the newsletters, the new website
The Way We Talk, from Hong Kong director Adam Wong, scooped the Audience Award at this year’s New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), while the Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film went to Family Matters from Taiwan’s Pan Ke-Yin. Starring Marco Ng, Neo Chau and Chung Suet Ying,
Newsletters
The second part of the Streamlined Guide to Asia Co-Production Funds looks at Japan’s International Co-production Subsidy and the Hong Kong-Europe-Asia Collaboration Scheme, along with some thoughts on how the funding ecosystem could be improved.
Festivals
The film, which follows a Palestinian family through three generations, also won best screenplay at Malaysia International Film Festival.
Festivals
The festival's competition section was restructured this year to focus on Japanese filmmakers.
Newsletters
Funding News
International Film Festival Rotterdam’s Hubert Bals Fund has selected 15 projects for the latest round of its Development Support scheme.
Streamlined Guides
Compared to a decade ago, Asian independent producers now have a much wider range of government-backed funds within the region to apply to, with several schemes aimed specifically at encouraging international co-productions. While these funds have transformed the independent production scene across Asia, resulting in many awards and festival recognition,
Korea & Japan
Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has selected 30 projects for this year’s Asian Project Market.
Newsletters
Festivals
Best Director went to 'Reflection In A Dead Diamond', directed by Bruno Forzani and Hélène Cattet.
Middle East
To A Land Unknown, from Danish-Palestinian filmmaker Mahdi Fleifel, scooped both the Jury Award and the Audience Award.
Europe
The 12th edition of the Venice Gap-Financing Market (August 29-31) has selected 67 projects.
News
Brilliant Melody from the Philippines’ Carlo Francisco Manatad scooped the top Bucheon Award at the close of the NAFF Project Market.