Sellout Film and TV Market has Strong New Media Focus

Over 300 companies from more than 30 countries are attending the International Film and TV Market during this year\'s 18th Shanghai TV Festival - and there\'s a strong focus on new media.

Forty percent of the participants are international and over 1,300 professional buyers are expected to attend the market from June 12 to 14 at Shanghai Exhibition Center.

There was such an enthusiastic exhibitor response to the market this year that it was basically sold out by the end of March, said director Zhang Ming.

Participants include national media groups like CCTV and SMG and major film and television groups including Huace Film & TV and inLook. Others are BBPA, Taiwan Radio and Television Association and TVB.

"As for the national exhibitors, this is a big year for domestic TV drama programs," Zhang said. "Many companies are responding actively to the national cultural development call, and some companies have plans to be listed in the market, so there\'s a high degree of participation."

According to Zhang, the national TV stations participating include NHK from Japan, MediaCorp from Singapore, ABS-CBN from  Philippines, Televisa from Mexico, Deutsche Welle from Germany, and ITV from Britain.KOCCA will bring 14 Korean companies including KBS, MBC and SBS.

The highlight of this year\'s market is the participation of new media, said Zhang. New media is developing fast, with probably more opportunities than traditional media.

This year, Youku, Tudou, Sina, Letv and other industry giants are setting up studios for the cast members of film and TV shows to do interviews which will be streamed live on the Internet, thus increasing the impact of the exhibition.