Entertainment · Film · 1 day ago
Hollywood sees wider market for Asian stories, but projects remain a risk
More viewers are watching films and shows from different countries and in different languages.
That gives Asian stories more ways to reach audiences around the world.
But executives said each project still needs someone willing to take a creative and financial risk.
They also said stories should stay true to their creators rather than be changed just to appeal globally.
Hollywood executives at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents & Film Market said interest in Asian stories has grown, but financing and producing each project remains difficult.
Lionsgate international president Helen Lee-Kim said pandemic-era viewing helped audiences become more open to films in different languages.
Panelists said hits such as “Parasite” and “Squid Game” have shown that Asian filmmakers can reach global audiences without moving to Hollywood or working in English.
Executives emphasized original concepts and culturally grounded storytelling, cautioning against tailoring creative work too heavily to global-market calculations.
East West Bank executive vice president Bennett Pozil pointed to increased investment activity in Southeast Asia, including funding through Taiwan’s TAICCA and co-production investments in Singapore and Thailand.
- Who
- Executives from Lionsgate, UTA, Gold House Studios, Hybe America Studios and East West Bank
- What
- A panel discussion about the growing market for Asian stories and the challenges of bringing them to wider audiences
- When
- At the Busan International Film Festival; the article was published on October 10, 2026
- Where
- Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents & Film Market
- Why
- To discuss how Asian stories can reach wider audiences while retaining their cultural identity
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
every movie is still a fight.
Don’t force anything,” Pozil said. “It has to be authentic.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Panel
- “UTA × Gold House: Hollywood & The Asian Diaspora”
- Moderator
- Naman Ramachandran, Variety Asia Editor
- Examples of breakthroughs
- “Parasite” and “Squid Game”
- Southeast Asian investment examples
- TAICCA funding and co-production investments in Singapore and Thailand
Sources
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