Asia-Europe Film Co-Producers Face Funding Gaps, Cautious U.S. Market

Producers from Asia and Europe discussed funding challenges and partnership obstacles at a panel at Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market.

The “Cinematic Connection: Secrets of Successful Asia-Europe Co-Productions” panel, co-organized by Ties That Bind and European Film Promotion, brought together industry practitioners from Japan, the U.K., Indonesia and France to discuss the evolving landscape of international partnerships.

The panelists agreed that while Asia has abundant stories with global potential, the region is still quite different from Europe in funding network, co-producing, and distribution.

“Projects can hardly be financed in Indonesia,” said Yulia Evina Bhara of KawanKawan Media, citing her primary motivation for seeking international co-productions. Despite Indonesia’s ra