Netflix recently announced a series of new creative development initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region at its Creative Asia conference held at the Busan International Film Festival. The company’s executives highlighted their dedication to nurturing local talent and raising production standards in the region.
Karen Park, the program director of BIFF, emphasized the growing importance of Asian cinema on the global stage. She noted that platforms like Netflix have played a crucial role in showcasing Asian creativity to a wider audience. Park highlighted the impact of shows like “Squid Game” in breaking down cultural barriers and making Asian stories more accessible and relatable to a global audience.
Minyoung Kim, Netflix’s APAC VP of content (ex-India), discussed the company’s partnership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of working with local creators and production partners to ensure authenticity in storytelling. Netflix has collaborated with over 250 local production partners in the APAC region since starting local productions nearly a decade ago.
Netflix also unveiled new initiatives, such as the Lumina program in Australia, which provides opportunities for neurodiverse individuals to enter the visual effects industry. The company is expanding its Creative Asia program to the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival in Indonesia, offering masterclasses and networking opportunities for emerging Southeast Asian creators.
The impact of Netflix’s regional training programs was also highlighted, with the VFX Academy in Korea training over 330 students and helping 70% of them secure industry jobs. Other initiatives like the Reel Life program in Southeast Asia and on-the-job training programs in Taiwan have also shown significant success in nurturing talent and improving production standards.
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 experts from Korea, Thailand, and Japan discussed evolving industry practices, including the growing acceptance of intimacy coordinators in Japan and the importance of maintaining safety standards on international productions.
Overall, Netflix’s efforts in skills and talent development initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region have reached over 8,000 people from 2021-24, demonstrating the company’s commitment to building sustainable creative ecosystems and supporting local talent in the region.
