The formation of the APA marks a pivotal moment for the film industries of Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The founding members include the Producers Guild of Korea (PGK), the Indonesian Film Producers Association (APROFI), the Philippine Independent Producers Group (PIPG), the Hong Kong Movie Production Executives Association (HKMPEA), and the Taiwan Producers Association (TPA).
The alliance was unveiled at the conclusion of a seminar titled ‘Empowering Asian Cinema: Solidarity and Creative Alliance,’ hosted by PGK at the ACFM Producers Hub. The discussion highlighted the evolving challenges faced by producers in an industry reshaped by the rise of streaming platforms and short-form content.
At its core, the APA seeks to advance co-production across Asia, allowing diverse stories to be told collaboratively and reach a wider global audience. It also prioritizes the crucial task of protecting creators' intellectual property, a growing concern in the digital age. Ultimately, the alliance envisions itself as a formal consensus body, equipped with a structured decision-making process.
Leading the inaugural team are PGK President Lee Dong-ha and APROFI Chairman Edwin Nazir as Co-Representatives, with Han Jin (PGK’s International Committee Director) and Yulia Evina Bhara (Indonesia’s KawanKawan Media) serving as Co-Secretary Generals. These positions are annual, with elections held during the ACFM's General Assembly.
The sentiment among the founding members is one of shared purpose and renewed strength. Lee Dong-ha articulated this unity, stating, "Asian producers have faced the same challenges separately, market by market. Starting today, we face them together."
Edwin Nazir echoed this collaborative spirit, emphasizing the alliance's role in fostering connections. "APA gives Asian producers a foundation to connect and collaborate. Stronger together, we reach further," he remarked. Johnny Wang from HKMPEA also expressed optimism, noting that "international co-productions will bring powerful synergies to every APA member."
The APA plans to hold regular online quarterly meetings, with its annual General Assembly coinciding with the ACFM in Busan. The alliance is actively inviting other producer bodies from across the region to join, stressing that membership is not restricted to one organization per territory. The next gathering is scheduled for December at the JAFF Market in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where the focus will be on creators’ intellectual property.