A panel of heavyweight producers discussed ways to produce independent films in Southeast Asia at the mylab panel on the sidelines of the Busan International Film Festival on Thursday.
Among the speakers were: Lisa Denio, former president of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) who has lit many films during her tenure. Indonesia’s Yulia Evina Para, producer of the award-winning Venice “Autobiography” which is also being shown in Busan; from Thailand Donsaron Kovitvanitcha, producer of Locarno and Busan nickname “Arnold is a Model Student”; Harris Solong from Malaysia is the producer of “Beautiful Mind”. Moderated by diverse Asia Editor Patrick Fratter.
Bharat said the entry of global broadcasting giants into the region had a positive impact on production quality and increased budgets. While $100,000 was considered a high budget for independent films, Bharat said, it can now net $900,000 to $1 million. Much of the funding comes from Southeast Asian agencies such as the FDCP and IMDA in Singapore, and from European funds. The money also comes with spending commitments in the country of origin and the challenge is working out how to maximize it and bring it into the country of production, Bhara said.
Denio agreed and said that budgets in the Philippines for independent films have also gone up to $1 million, and the international orientation allows filmmakers to realize their cinematic visions with decent budgets. “If we ally with international producers, our rating with broadcasters will go up,” Dino said.
Government supported film agencies such as FDCP are not present in all Southeast Asian countries. In Thailand, for example, Kovitvanica said government support for films is “scattered,” adding that development must be privately funded and is often the preserve of the wealthy.
In countries where there is government support, such as in Malaysia, which has FINAS (National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia), there are generous payments to labs and other development initiatives, but sometimes the continuity of policy can be affected when political power changes.
“The fear is with this change — so with the next minister, we don’t know what change is coming. But the grant will still be there,” Solong said, adding that the current grant committee is good and has the ability to visualize the concepts being presented to them.
In general, the mood was one of cautious optimism. “There is this energy coming from Southeast Asia right now that we really have to embrace,” Denio said. “And we need that momentum – we need motivation and we have to hit it hard now.”
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