AI, Cross-Border Collaboration and Global Content Strategies Explored at FilMart Forum: ‘As Long as the Story Is strong, AI Can Support Creators in Connecting With Audiences’

Hed: AI, Cross-Border Collaboration and Global Content Strategies Explored at FilMart Forum
Dek:
Industry executives from Huace, Youku and TVB discuss cross-border storytelling, technology integration and shifting audience dynamics.
Art: 0317 Forum@ FilMart

Industry executives and producers gathered at Hong Kong FilMart for the Forum on International Communication Cooperation and Innovation for a New Vision, held on the market’s opening day.
Organized by the International Cooperation Department of China’s National Radio and Television Administration and co-hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the session focused on strategies for expanding content distribution, scaling production and positioning Asian projects for international audiences.

Karen Fu, CEO of Huace Group, addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence in film and television production, noting that while Hollywood continues to prioritize a content-driven model, Asian creators may benefit from combining Eastern and Western storytelling approaches as they develop more globally oriented strategies.

The session, titled “Dual-Track Breakthroughs in Content,” brought together speakers from TVB, Youku, Trinity CineAsia and other media companies to discuss evolving industry dynamics.

Panelists pointed to a shift from traditional cultural export toward more integrated global content ecosystems, where scale, audience reach and platform traffic are increasingly tied to long-term value. Co-production models and technological integration were highlighted as key to building sustainable international partnerships and expanding storytelling possibilities.

Across the discussion, speakers also emphasized the importance of emotional resonance in cross-cultural communication, noting that successful international storytelling depends on identifying shared human experiences while navigating differences in cultural context.

Lina Zhang, chief editor at Youku, said the use of artificial intelligence is currently most effective in optimizing production workflows and technical processes, but emphasized that content remains the primary driver.

“As long as the story is strong, AI can support creators in connecting with audiences,” she said.
Cedric Behrel, director and co-founder of Trinity CineAsia, the leading European distributor of Asian cinema, added, “Audience behavior has changed significantly since the pandemic. Screen consumption now extends beyond film and TV to gaming and social platforms, reshaping how we engage audiences.”