Southeast Asia
Thai films and series are currently enjoying a wave of international recognition, driven by dynamic mainstream and arthouse film production sectors, along with the global popularity of BL (Boys' Love) and GL (Girls' Love) series, which are raising the profile of Thai actors and actresses around the world.
Korea & Japan
FEFF’s Silver Mulberry went to The Seoul Guardians about the 2024 protests against former Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law.
Funding News
Bangkok-based Purin Film Fund has selected six projects to receive funding in its Spring 2026 session, including two fiction and two documentary projects for production support, and two documentary projects for post-production support. In total, the fund is handing out grants of $160,000 in this funding round. Purin co-director
Goodbye Julia, The Sheep Detectives and Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu have been dated for mainland China release.
Below is a list of films selected for Cannes Official Selection, Critics Week and Directors Fortnight 2026 originating from, set in or mostly filmed in Asia, Africa and the Middle East (or from filmmakers originating from these regions but based elsewhere) with sales agents and nationalities of co-production partners where
The list below highlights noteworthy Southeast Asian film projects in various stages of production, along with films that have premiered at international film festivals from Berlin 2026 onwards. Nationality of the director is in brackets after their names, but nationality of the projects is harder to determine as most are
UPDATED MARCH 5: Dates for film and TV festivals and markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, along with the major film and TV events in Europe and North America. Some major events in the region have yet to confirm their 2026 dates. Streamlined will keep updating this list
The insider view on the content industries of Asia, Africa & the Middle East
Goodbye Julia, The Sheep Detectives and Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu have been dated for mainland China release.
Thai Pitch is returning to Cannes film festival this year with three projects from veteran director-producer Ekachai Uekrongtham and upcoming filmmakers Thanakrit Duangmaneeporn and Nuntanat Duangtisarn. Ekachai, whose second feature Pleasure Factory premiered in Cannes Un Certain Regard in 2007, will present The Weight Of Ash at this year’s
Below is a list of films selected for Cannes Official Selection, Critics Week and Directors Fortnight 2026 originating from, set in or mostly filmed in Asia, Africa and the Middle East (or from filmmakers originating from these regions but based elsewhere) with sales agents and nationalities of co-production partners where
Focus Asia has selected 13 projects for the 2026 edition of All Genres Project Market and six projects for Far East in Progress.
Kangdrun’s Linka Linka was awarded Best Film in the Firebird Awards’ Young Cinema Competition (Chinese Language) at this year’s Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), while Markus Schleinzer’s Rose won Best Film in the Young Cinema Competition (World) category. Linka Linka, which was also awarded the FIPRESCI
The list below highlights noteworthy Southeast Asian film projects in various stages of production, along with films that have premiered at international film festivals from Berlin 2026 onwards. Nationality of the director is in brackets after their names, but nationality of the projects is harder to determine as most are
Screen Australia has announced $20.4m of production and development funding across 91 narrative projects, including the first projects through its new Short Film Production Funding Program. Among the titles is debut feature The Laugh Of Lakshmi, written and directed by S. Shakthidharan and produced by John Maynard (Balibo) and
A collection of rare Korean films, produced by Chung Chang-wha’s Whapung Films in the 1980s, is being restored and offered for international sales by French film curator and producer Frédéric Ambroisine. The restoration and sales of 13 films, produced by Whapung Films between 1979 and 1985, is being developed
HAF In Development Project Awards went to Vincci Cheuk’s 38.83 and Vulnerable Observer from Jiang Xiaoxuan.
