OTT close-up | The current state of Asian film distribution in the US (NYAFF 2024)

More Asian films are available in the US than ever. But what does that mean for the current state of Asian film distribution?

I caught a panel at the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) last month, “Asian Cinema’s American Odyssey: State of the Distribution of Asian Films in the U.S.” 

The panel included industry professionals from Strand Releasing, Well Go USA, The Criterion Channel, Cinema Guild, Golden Media, and the Hawai‘i International Film Festival:

• Marcus Hu, Co-President, Strand Releasing

• Doris Pfardrescher, President and CEO, Well Go USA

• Aliza Ma, Head of Programming, Criterion Channel 

• Tom Sveen, Head of Theatrical, Cinema Guild

• Jessica del Mundo, Executive Director, 10storyhouse

• Anderson Le, Artistic Director, Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF)

(You can find out more about them here.)

It was filled with market niche insights rarely found in open discussions that filmmakers and their sales agents would find essential: a glimpse into the distributors’ point-of-view. (Also: this covers the state of Asian films in the US, not to be confused with AAPI films, to be clear.)

In this issue, I share key takeaways from the panel, plus expand upon specifics regarding the Korean content market:

• Asian film distribution in the US: What’s new, what’s stayed the same

• Tapping into diaspora, arthouse, and fandom audiences - distinctive strategies, rollout (and which is much cheaper)

• Are film festivals still essential?

• How old titles are finding new audiences - in theaters

• The value of physical media (Blu-Rays, DVDs) today

• The kinds of films distributors are looking for

• Korea spotlight: How OTT has changed the Korean content distribution market