With less than two weeks to go until the 2024 Taiwan Creative Content Fest, the organisers have revealed the speakers and sessions set to fill the packed Forum agenda.
The Bridge Curse director Lester Hsi
Celebrated South Korean variety show producer Nah Yung-suk (aka Nah PD) and Pascal Breton, president of France’s Federation Studios, are set to speak at the 2024 Taiwan Creative Content Fest (TCCF), which will be held from November 5 to 8 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Centre.
Organised by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), the event’s Forum section will spotlight industry trends and international coproductions, featuring more than 25 speakers from 12 countries, including Nah PD, a key figure in Korean entertainment, and Taiwanese stars Kai Ko, Wu Ke-xi, JC Lin and Esther Liu.
Themed as ‘Together for Impact,’ the Forum will consist of 15 panels and keynotes on a variety of topics, from variety shows to film, animation and children’s content. Nah, the mastermind behind hits like Earth Arcade, Youn’s Kitchen and New Journey to the West, will delve into how he crafts entertainment that resonates worldwide. His session will focus on trends in variety show production and how South Korea has created content that breaks through internationally.
L-R: Nah Yung-suk, Pascal Breton and Chalermchatri Yukol
Another Forum highlight is Chalermchatri Yukol, president of Thailand’s Film & Series Subcommittee of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee. He will share insights into Thailand’s film and television landscape, which has become a magnet for international productions, thanks to diverse storytelling and government incentives.
Breton will present the French studio’s ambitious global entertainment strategy. Known for hits like Call My Agent and The Bureau, Federation has expanded its footprint in TV series, films and documentaries, offering a blueprint for success in the convergence of digital and traditional media.
The Forum will also explore the localisation of IP, including the late-night drama Cherry Magic!, which has been adapted across Asia. Japanese director Kazama Hiroki and Thai director Nuttapong Mongkolsawas will discuss the challenges and triumphs of bringing this Boys Love manga to screen, offering lessons in cross-cultural adaptation.
Actors (L-R) Esther Liu, Wu Ke-xi, Kai Ko and JC Lin
Children’s content will be another key topic, with industry heavyweights like Gemma Joo from Pinkfong and Joseph Yap from BBC Studios exploring how properties like Baby Shark and Bluey have captured hearts globally. The growing importance of children’s programming in Asia will be a focal point.
For horror fans, directors Banjong Pisanthanakun and Takashige Ichise will join Taiwanese director Lester Hsi in dissecting how the genre has evolved to captivate global audiences. With a blend of cultural and psychological elements, they will share how they craft the fear that keeps viewers hooked.
Silvia Echeverri of the Colombian Film Commission will offer a Latin American perspective on current film and television market trends, while Michelle Lin from K7 Media will decode the South-east Asian market, analysing viewer behaviour and successful local content adaptations.
Takashige Ichise
International coproduction and financing strategies will be a core theme as well, with representatives from Turkish Radio Television Corporation and the Film Development Council of the Philippines sharing their insights into securing funding and navigating global partnerships.
In a world increasingly driven by international collaborations, Taiwanese actors Esther Liu, Wu Ke-xi, Kai Ko and JC Lin will share their experiences working in diverse teams. They will discuss the nuances of adapting to different cultures and directing styles, highlighting the potential for Taiwanese talent in the global market.
TAICCA chairman Homme Tsai emphasised that this year’s Forum is poised to inspire new ways of thinking for Taiwan’s content industry, enabling it to “heighten its competitiveness through international strategic collaborations,” he said.
The Forum sessions at TCCF run from November 5 to 8 and registration is open until October 28. More information on the sessions and registration can be found on the official TCCF website.
