An Event of
Asia Media Festival

Proudly Associated with
Singapore Media Festival

SCHEDULE

November 25, 2007 November 26, 2007 November 27, 2007
     
  Channel Surfing
AETN & Channel NewsAsia
8:00 - 8:55 am 		Channel Surfing
Discovery Asia & NatGeo
8:00 - 8:55 am
Official Opening Ceremonies
9:05 - 9:30 am
Registration Desk
Sunday: Noon - 6:30pm
Monday: 8am - 5pm
Tuesday: 8am – Noon		 Session:
"Becoming an International Content Player"
9:30 - 10:45 am 		Session:
"Power Pitching Pow-Wow"
9:15 - 10:45 am
  Morning Break
10:45 - 11:15 am 		Morning Break
10:45 - 11:15 am
  Case Study:
International Co-production:
"The dawn of a co-production deal: What happens before the cameras start rolling."
with Darlow Smithson & Discovery Asia
11:15 am - 12:30 pm 		Case Study:
International Co-Production:
"Are you looking for a relationship or a one night stand?"
with Panacea & NHNZ TV.
11:15 am - 12:30 pm
  Buffet Lunch
Riverview Restaurant
12:30 - 2:00 pm 		Buffet Lunch
Riverview Restaurant
12:30 - 2:00 pm
  In Detail:
"Mass Appeal Storytelling Essentials"
2:00 - 3:15 pm		 In Detail:
"Distribution Download"
2:00 - 3:15 pm
Factual 101: A Forum Primer
3:00 - 4:30 pm		 Afternoon Break
3:15 - 3:45 pm 		Afternoon Break
3:15 - 3:45 pm
Afternoon Break
Lobby
4:30 - 5:00 pm		 Session:
"The Fortune is in the Formatting? Fact or Fiction?"
3:45 - 5:00 pm 		Close Up with Ruby Yang
3:45 - 5:00 pm
  Channel Suring
NHK & NFB
5:10 - 6:15 pm 		 
Opening Cocktail
River View Hotel Terrace
6:30 - 8:30 pm 		Ruby Yang Screening
The Screening Room
7:00 - 10:30 pm 		Closing Night Reception
or
Singapore Night Zoo

DAY ONE - November 25, 2007

3:00 - 4:30 pm - Factual 101 - A Forum Primer

West Presenter: Pat Ferns, President & Executive Producer, Ferns Productions Ltd, Canada

East Presenter: Tony Chow, President, AIRPRO, Singapore

The inaugural Asia Factual Forum will set the standards for years to come; and being one of the first "interactive and pro-active" events of its kind we want to offer delegates the insight needed to make this a fruitful and successful event. Who do you want to meet? What sessions should you attend? What materials do you need to have with you to ensure maximum impact? Forum 101 ¡V A Forum Primer is designed to answer these questions, clear away the confusion and inspire you to make the most of the event. This informal orientation session, led by industry veterans includes some of the key players at the Asia Factual Forum as well as coaching assistance and a question and answer session.

Industry Veterans will include:

6:30 - 8:30 pm - Opening Cocktail

River View Hotel Terrace

Delegates are invited to join us on the River View Terrace of the River View Hotel for a welcome cocktail.

Delegate pass and ticket required for admission.
Tickets can be picked up at the Registration Desk. Additional tickets $100 Sing

DAY TWO – November 26, 2007

8:00 - 8:55 am - Channel Surfing with ...

AETN All Asia Networks
Michele Schofield - Director, Content - Programming, Acquisitions & Production

Channel NewsAsia, MediaCorp News Ptd Ltd
Woon Chuk Chan ¡V Vice President, Network Programming & Promotions

Interviewer: Janine Stein, Editorial Director, ContentAsia

Programming executives from international broadcasters share insight into their channels, their programming and preferences, including: who their viewers are; programs that have worked for their channels; current programming line-up and what they are looking for now.

9:05 - 9:30 am - Opening Ceremonies

Presenters: Craig Thompson, President & Executive Producer, Ballinran Productions, Canada, and Tony Chow, President, AIRPRO, Singapore.

Guest of Honour: Dr. Christopher Chia, Chief Executive, Media Development Authority Singapore

Join us as we officially open the inaugural Asia Factual Forum.

9:30 - 10:45 am - Becoming an International Content Player

West Moderator: Norm Bolen, Executive Vice President, Content, Alliance Atlantis, Canada

East Moderator: Keiko Bang, President, Bang Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore

This session features a panel of broadcasters offering their insight and advice on how to maintain your local identity while doing business internationally. We will introduce you to international broadcasters and give you an opportunity to learn about the secrets of successfully launching your content in the international market. Where do you need to go to meet people? Who do you have to talk to? How does your content have to adapt to suit different markets. This session will enlighten, empower, and jumpstart your international development plans.

Panelists:

10:45 - 11:15pm - Morning Break

11:15 am - 12:30 pm - The Dawn of a Co-Production Deal: What happens before the cameras start rolling

West Presenter: Ulla Streib, Head of Operations, Darlow Smithson, United Kingdom

East Presenter: Vikram Channa, Vice President Content, Discovery Asia

This session will look at the co-production process at the deal stage, before the cameras start rolling. Using a current series in pre-production, the presenters will discuss the triggering events that led to the confirmation of the deal. How was the idea presented to the broadcaster? What did the Producer have to do to convince the Broadcaster of the value of the series; How involved was the Broadcaster in the creation and development of the content? For better or for worse. What were the challenges in confirming the deal? How many people were involved and what did each bring to the table. What would they do differently next time? Were the Producer's expectations met in the terms of the deal? Delegates will come up away with specific insight into what it takes and what to look out for to get the deal done.

12:30 - 2:00 pm - Buffet Lunch

First help yourself to an appetizing array of culinary treats at the buffet table. Then seat yourself at one of the pre-identified tables, where representatives from various broadcast and distribution companies will be seated. This is a strictly "no pitching" lunch, but enjoy the opportunity to meet up with Broadcasters, Distributors and other potential partners in a friendly and low pressure setting.

2:00 - 3:15 pm - IN DETAIL: Mass Appeal Storytelling: How to structure your story to appeal to a domestic and international market.

West Presenter: Courtney Thompson, Senior Manager, Development & Production, National Geographic Channels International, USA

East Presenter: Choy Lin Mok - Supervising Producer, National Geographic Channel.

Documentary filmmakers are often inspired by real life situations. How does one go from an idea for a documentary film to the actual script-writing? How does one script reality? Documentary films are not just the result of hauling around a camera and sound equipment; they are carefully crafted pieces of non-fiction storytelling. Learn how to conceive ideas, structure stories, conduct research and interviews, write narration, and adapt your plans to the footage you get. Topics covered will include: Role of Themes and Conflict in a Documentary; Character Development in Documentary; Documentary Story Telling

3:15 - 3:45 pm - Afternoon Break

3:45 - 5:00 pm - The Fortune is in the Formatting. Fact or Fiction?

West Presenter: Ed Waller, Editor C21 Media, United Kingdom.

East Presenter: TBA

This session examines the continuing popularity of formats. We look at different formats from around the world and help producers understand what makes a series "format-able." Formatting series' is often a viable way to get into the international market. What do you need to have; what are the challenges and how do you pitch a format. These are some of the questions that will be answered.

5:10 - 6:15 pm - Channel Surfing with...

NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corp.)
Mika Kanaya - Producer, International Co-Productions.

National Film Board of Canada
Sayedali Rawji - Assistant Director General, English Program

Interviewer: Janine Stein, Editorial Director, ContentAsia

Programming executives from international broadcasters share insight into their channels, their programming and preferences, including: who their viewers are; programs that have worked for their channels; current programming line-up and what they are looking for now.

7:00 - 9:30 pm - The Blood of Yingzhou District Screening and Reception

The Screening Room, Ann Siang Road

We are pleased to present a screening of Ruby Yang's Oscar Winning documentary The Blood of Yingzhou District. The film sheds light on the AIDS epidemic in China, capturing the hardships of the many children who have lost their parents to AIDS. The film follows three sets of orphans over the course of a year, as they deal with the stigma of the disease and the ostracism they face due to ignorance and fear of infection.

Screening to start 7:30 pm, running time 39 minutes with cocktail to follow.

Tickets can be picked up at the Registration Desk. Additional tickets $100 Sing

DAY THREE – November 27, 2007

8:00 - 8:55 am - Channel Surfing with...

Discovery Asia Inc.
Vikram Channa - Vice President, Content

National Geographic Channels International
Courtney Thompson, Senior Manager, Development & Production

Interviewer: TBA

Programming executives from international broadcasters share insight into their channels, their programming and preferences, including: who their viewers are; programs that have worked for their channels; current programming line-up and what they are looking for now.

9:15 - 10:45 am - Power Pitching Pow-Wow

Presenters: Pat Ferns, President & Executive Producer, Ferns Productions Ltd., Canada.

Rita Carbone Fleury, Content Consultant, Carbone Fleury Media, Canada.

The art of pitching is essential to the success of any project in the marketplace. This session provides the opportunity to present your pitch and to have it assessed by broadcasters and producer peers alike! What are you doing well and what could you improve on? This session will allow for breakout opportunities for you to meet your fellow delegates and to give and receive constructive comments on the presentation skills that make a difference when trying to "sell" your idea. Come away from this session with a concise Do's and Don't list that will guide you and inspire you! Participants should bring samples of their pitch materials and a willingness to practice with the group. Comments will be restricted tothe effectiveness and presentation of pitching skills and materials, not ideas.

Mentors to include:

10:45 - 11:15pm - Morning Break

11:15 am - 12:30 pm - CASE STUDY: Are You Looking for a Relationship or a 'One-Night Stand'? Setting up your co-production strategy in Asia.

West Presenter: Lisa Miller, Producer, Panacea Entertainment, Canada

East Presenter: Michael Stedman, Managing Director, Natural History New Zealand Ltd., New Zealand

A detailed hands-on look at what you need to know to make co-productions work in Asia; the challenges; the opportunities. This panel will provide 5 - 10 specific "take-away" points that will make a meaningful difference in your understanding of the co-production process.

12:30 - 2:00 pm - Buffet Lunch

First help yourself to an appetizing array of culinary treats at the buffet table. Then seat yourself at one of the pre-identified tables, where representatives from various broadcast and distribution companies will be seated. This is a strictly ¡§no pitching¡¨ lunch, but enjoy the opportunity to meet up with Broadcasters, Distributors and other potential partners in a friendly and low pressure setting.

2:00 - 3:15 pm - IN DETAIL: Distribution Download: What you should know if you want to work with a distributor.

West Presenter: Rita Carbone Fleury, Content Consultant, Carbone Fleury Media, Canada.

East Presenter: Ganesh Rajaram, Vice President Asia, Fremantle International Distribution

Working with a distributor can help effectively launch your programming and company into the international marketplace. Independent producers should look at building and developing relationships with distributors at every opportunity. Finding a distributor is like finding a broadcaster/buyer for your programming. In today¡¦s environment a distributor is an important partner. Learn about the benefits and pitfalls of working with a distributor; setting realistic sales expectations and the top five things to look for in a distribution agreement

3:15 - 3:45 pm - Afternoon Break

3:45 - 5:00pm - CLOSE UP with Ruby Yang

Special Guest : Ruby Yang, Academy Award Winning Filmmaker

Interviewer: Craig Thompson, President & Executive Producer, Ballinran Productions, Canada.

Originally from Hong Kong, Ruby Yang has worked on a range of feature and documentary films exploring Chinese themes as director and editor. She was both associate producer and editor for Joan Chen's debut feature Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl, series editor for Bill Moyer's PBS series Becoming American: The Chinese Experience, and editor for Chen's feature film Autumn in New York with Richard Gere and Winona Ryder. She has received many grants and awards for her work including the Taiwan Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards, the Emmy Awards and two IDA Pare Lorentz Award nominations. She is now based in Beijing, directing a wide range of documentary work as part of the China AIDS Media Project. Her film - The Blood of Yingzhou District - won the 2006 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject.

Option #1 - 7:30 pm

Asia Festival of First Films Screening and Reception
In Partnership with Asia Festival of First Films and Asia Media Financing Forum
Golden Village Vivo City
A social networking and Opening Film screening event.

Asia Factual Forum in conjunction with the Asian Festival of First Films and Asia Media Festival's Asia Media Financing Forum is pleased to co-host the closing night of the Asia Factual Forum, and celebrate the opening night of the Asia Festival of First Films at the Golden Village Vivo City. A night of networking with financiers, buyers, independent producers, filmmakers, and VIPs, starts with a cocktail reception and the opening night screening of the Asia Festival of First Films.

Enquire at the Registration Desk for details.

Option #2 - 7:00 pm

Singapore Night Safari Excursion
Complimentary admission and transportation to Singapore's award-winning attraction -- Night Safari, provided courtesy Singapore Tourism (logo)

The world's first wildlife park built for visits at night, the Night Safari is not like any ordinary zoo illuminated by the night or a modern version of nocturnal houses found in many zoos around the globe. Nestled in 40 hectares of lush secondary forest, the Night Safari offers guests the unique experience of exploring wildlife in a tropical jungle at night. Through the use of subtle lighting technique, guests are able to view over 1,000 nocturnal animals of 100 species in vast naturalistic habitats. Tickets can be picked up at the Registration Desk. Bus will leave from River View Hotel at 7:00 pm.