Netflix Expands Creative Asia Program, Unveils New Initiatives
Netflix recently announced a series of new creative development initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region at its Creative Asia conference held during the Busan International Film Festival. The focus of these initiatives is on nurturing local talent and enhancing production standards in the region.
Karen Park, the program director of BIFF, highlighted the changing landscape of Asian cinema during the conference. She emphasized the growing visibility of Asian creativity on a global scale, thanks to platforms like Netflix. Park mentioned that platforms like Netflix have helped break down cultural barriers, making Asian stories more accessible and relatable to audiences worldwide.
Minyoung Kim, Netflix’s APAC VP of content (ex-India), discussed the company’s partnership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and building relationships with local creators and production partners. Netflix has collaborated with over 250 local production partners in the APAC region over the years.
Netflix introduced several new initiatives, including the launch of Lumina in Australia, a program aimed at providing neurodiverse individuals with opportunities in the visual effects industry. The company also expanded its Creative Asia program to the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival in Indonesia, offering networking opportunities for emerging Southeast Asian creators.
The impact of Netflix’s regional training programs was also highlighted, with success stories like the VFX Academy in Korea, which has trained over 330 students, with 70% securing industry jobs. Other initiatives like the Reel Life program in Southeast Asia and on-the-job training programs in Taiwan have also shown positive outcomes for participants.
Sung Q Lee, Netflix’s APAC head of production, emphasized the company’s commitment to improving working conditions and setting new industry standards. A production panel featuring industry professionals from Korea, Thailand, and Japan discussed evolving industry practices, such as implementing safety protocols and the role of intimacy coordinators on set.
Overall, Netflix’s skills and talent development initiatives in the APAC region have reached over 8,000 individuals from 2021-24, demonstrating the company’s dedication to fostering sustainable creative ecosystems in the region. These initiatives aim to support local talent, enhance production standards, and showcase diverse storytelling from the Asia-Pacific region on a global platform like Netflix.
