Convergence of the film and television industries

This article was written by Pasuya Wen-chih Yao and published by the Taiwan Journal on November 4, 2005. It is the first of a series of four articles that feature the 2005 Taiwan International Film and TV Expo recently held in Taipei.

The article points out that the Taiwan International Film and TV Expo is an opportunity for Taiwan's film, television and cultural industries to press forward with global strategies and strengthen national competitiveness. The expo combines the Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards, the Golden Bell Awards for TV and Radio, the Taipei TV and Film Festival and the Taiwan Film and Television Project Promotion into one event. It is hoped that Taiwan could become a regional star in the firmament of film and television via this integrated platform of creativity, culture and business.

The government recently decided to commit US$600 million to the development of Taiwan's film, TV and digital entertainment industries over a five-year period. In this sense, the Taiwan International Film and TV Expo functions as a venue for the establishment of international marketing channels and the exchange of ideas through the integration of public and private resources. Most significantly, the annual international event brings screen stars and global investors together to develop more opportunities for the film and television industries.

Pasuya Wen-chih Yao is the head of Taiwan's Government Information Office, which organizes the Taiwan International Film and TV Expo.