Taipei, Nov. 14 (CNA) Organizers and government officials officially launched Tuesday in Taipei the final 10-day countdown to the 2006 Taipei TV and Film Festival (TTF) , the largest TV and film festival in Asia.
The annual festival, which will be held Nov. 23-25, includes three major events -- the Taipei International TV, Film and Digital Contents Exhibition (TFCOM) , the Taipei International Digital TV, Broadcasting and Film Forum and the Taiwan Film and TV Project Promotion.
"In only its third year, the festival has surpassed three major TV festivals in China and established a leading position in Asia, " said Lai Kuo-chou, chairman and CEO of Taiwan Television Enterprise (TTV), the main organizer.
There will be more than 650 booths set up by 75 companies from 10 countries at the TFCOM, which will be held Nov. 23-25 at the Taipei World Trade Center, Lai said. The trade show includes an export-oriented B2B area and a premiere domestic show (B2C area).
The B2B area presents prospect-packed categories such as TV, film and digital content licensing, audiovisual products, publications, animation, post production and other A/V related equipment. Leading foreign companies such as FUJI, NHK, KBS, National Geographic and Discovery will participate in the show, as well as local companies such as TVBS, SETN and CTS.
Licensing deals signed this year are expected to surpass NT$157.5 million (US$4.5 million) , up from last year's US$3.5 million, according to Government Information Office (GIO) Minister Cheng Wen-tsang.
The International Digital TV, Broadcasting and Film Forum will take place Nov. 23, gathering together industry leaders, experts, researchers and government officials to share their creative ideas.
The international Film and TV Project Promotion, which encourages creative projects from all over the world, will be held Nov. 24-25. The winner of the best project will be awarded an NT$1 million incentive payment.
The festival has been integrated by the GIO with the Golden Horse Awards and the Golden Bell Awards, into the Taiwan International Film and TV Expo, which runs Nov. 8-25.