2009-06-12

Making Breakthroughs amid Crisis

Against the backdrop of the on-going global financial crisis, the 15th Shanghai TV Festival succeed in turning crisis into opportunities. The works for the contest were of high quality; the International Film & TV Market was vibrant; The Magnolia Forum was well received. Yesterday, Tang Lijun, Vice Executive Secretary General of the 15th Shanghai TV Festival Organizing Committee, made a summary of this festival in an interview with Daily News.

Daily News: Compared with previous festivals, what do you think of the contestants for Magnolia Award this year?

Tang: This year, the works for the contest are of high quality, some up to world class. I shall make first mention of the documentaries. All these documentaries are from internationally renowned directors who have won a lot of international awards. The competition for TV series is more intense. We juries discussed into the night for final decisions under the principle of fairness and justness. As for the animations, they are the best ones in 2008. But who the awards will go to will remain a secret until the award ceremony to be held this evening.

Daily News: Did the financial crisis affect the participation of the exhibitors?

Tang: Actually, there were more international exhibitors this time compared with prior fairs. Some booths were smaller but some bigger in size. Some old customers did not show up, but some new faces joined in. Therefore, the overall show area was not decreased at all. The budgets the exhibitors made for the show were tightened because of the financial crisis, and this made them more pragmatic and aggressive for more trading. Some buyers in southeast Asia took great interest in the Chinese TV series and films. Thus generally speaking, the exhibition was much better than we had expected.

Daily News: What are the characteristics of this year\'s Magnolia Forum?

Tang: The Magnolia Forum consisted of two parts: summit forum and seminars.“Universal Topics and Industry Experience” is the topic of the forum this year. We invited industry leaders from around the world to discuss hot spots, and to find the prospects for development in the television industry in China and the rest of the world in 2010.

Daily News: “Animation Project Pitching” and “DocuChina Filmmaker Plan” are parts of the International Film and TV Market?
Tang: Yes. This reflected one strategic focus placed on investment and financing by Shanghai TV Festival. In the past, we traded end products, but now creativity. So we could invite experts to give training and coaching, teaching you how to convince the investors. In this way, some buyers can make investments in our programs.

Daily News: How did Shanghai TV Festival support “DocuChina Filmmaker Plan”?

Tang: TV festival had an concentration effect, gathering international buyers and media. The participation of the media greatly enhanced the recognition of this program. The five winners this year will be finally made in France and played at SMG platforms.