In a significant move for the Asian entertainment industry, independent producers from Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan officially launched the Asian Producers Alliance (APA) at the Busan International Film Festival. The announcement, as reported by Variety, marked a pivotal moment for regional collaboration, with the alliance dedicated to advancing co-production efforts and safeguarding the rights of content creators.
The founding declaration of the APA was read by Kim Ji-yeon, the acclaimed producer behind Netflix's global phenomenon 'Squid Game' and a board member of the Producers Guild of Korea (PGK). The declaration underscored the shared challenges faced by producers working in diverse markets and languages, asserting, "For years, we have faced the same changes alone – in our own markets, in our own languages. Today we choose to face them together." It further articulated the alliance's ambition: "We will advance co-production across Asia, so that our stories can be made together and travel further."
The APA brings together 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). Notably, this coalition is composed solely of independent producers, deliberately excluding studios, conglomerates, or state bodies to maintain its grassroots, creator-centric focus. The PGK and APROFI were instrumental in initiating the group, with all five organizations giving their online approval.
The launch coincided with the conclusion of the seminar, "Empowering Asian Cinema: Solidarity and Creative Alliance," hosted by PGK at the ACFM Producers Hub. The panel discussions, featuring prominent producers like Yulia Evina Bhara of Indonesia and Rhee Handae of Korea, highlighted the increasing necessity of international co-production amidst the disruptive forces of streaming platforms and short-form content. Yamaguchi Shin of Tokyo-based Knockonwood encapsulated the sentiment, urging producers to "Think globally."
Initially operating as a consultative body, the APA plans to evolve into a more formal decision-making structure. Its immediate priorities include facilitating more co-productions across Asia and strengthening creators' intellectual property rights. The alliance is open to other producer organizations across Asia, allowing for multiple groups from a single territory to join during its inaugural year. Members are slated to meet quarterly online, with an annual general assembly scheduled during the ACFM.
Leading the APA for its first year are PGK president Lee Dong-ha and APROFI chair Edwin Nazir, serving as inaugural co-representatives. Han Jin and Yulia Evina Bhara will act as co-secretary generals. As Lee Dong-ha eloquently stated, "APA is not a declaration – it is a practice of solidarity that begins now," emphasizing the alliance's immediate and active commitment. Johnny Wang, chair of HKMPEA, echoed this sentiment, remarking on the departure from established norms: "Now, with the birth of the APA, we are embarking on an entirely new and unprecedented journey."
The alliance has already planned its second seminar, which will focus on creators' IP, to be hosted by APROFI at the JAFF Market in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, this December.
This new alliance represents a significant step towards a more integrated and supportive ecosystem for independent content creation across Asia, promising to amplify regional voices and stories on the global stage.