FRAMING THE FUTURE : UK-ASIA FILM INVESTMENT & NETWORKING FORUM

A full-day programme of five engaging panels featuring celebrated filmmakers, producers, investors, and creative leaders from Hong Kong, Korea, and the UK.

Framing The Future: UK-Asia Film Investment & Network Forum

Date: 29 May 2025

Time: 10am - 4pm

Location: BFI Stephen Street

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10:00 - 10:10

Welcome Address

Speaker: Bizhan Tong

Filmmaker, Founder & CEO of Phoenix Waters Productions

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10:15 - 11:00

Panel 1: East Meets West - Cross-Border Storytelling

Creative voices from Hong Kong, Korea, and the UK explore the art of working across cultures and the power of authentic, globally resonant storytelling.

Speakers:

Mo Lai Yan Chi (Director, BandFour, Hong Kong)

Hyun-Young Choi (Director, Memories of a Dead End, Korea)

Thomas Lee Chi-Wai (Director, An Abandoned Team, Hong Kong)

Hark-Joon Lee (Writer, Crossing Heaven's Border, Korea)

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11:15 - 12:00

Panel 2: Rewriting the Map - Cultural Power and the Asian Diaspora

How identity-driven storytelling is reshaping industry perceptions and creating new creative and commercial pathways for Asian talent.

Speakers:

Yasmin Chong (Founder, Lab20)

Sasha Manning (Consultant, Content Sales & Distribution, APAC Specialist)

Heidi Ng (Film Production Manager)

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12:15 - 1:00

Panel 3: The Rise of Documentary - Global Storytelling & Real-World Impact

Documentary producers and distributors on why nonfiction is booming, how it’s funded, and where it’s headed.

Speakers:

Serafina Pang (VP Sales, International Distribution, Lean In Media)

Giles Alderson (Director And Producer, Food for Thought, Host of The Filmmakers Podcast)

Yueqi Xiao (Senior Project Manager & Producer, Propeller Global Media)

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1:00 - 2:00

Break

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2:00 - 2:45

Panel 4: The Business of Storytelling - Investing in Content with Purpose

Industry leaders share how content is financed and why it matters to back stories that balance impact and return.

Speakers:

Walli Ullah MBE (Producer, Emu Films)

Debbie Mason (Partner, Mason Media Matrix)

JR May (Trustee, New Philanthropy Capital)

Linus Leung (Founder, Showalter UK)

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3:00 - 4:00

Panel 5: Building the Bridge - UK-Asia Film Investment Forum

How UK and Asian partners are collaborating to build global IP and unlock cross-border investment.

Speakers:

Bizhan Tong (Founder & CEO, Phoenix Waters Productions)

Rancho Lee (Co-Founder, Simsan Ventures)

JR May (Trustee, New Philanthropy Capital)