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Justin Sweeting: “We’re hoping for great music to come from this period.”

We speak with EARS on Mumbai speaker, the name behind Magnetic Asia and Hong Kong’s biggest music festival Clockenflap. Justin Sweeting has worked for over 15 years in the music industry, primarily in Asia. Connecting the dots between Asia and the global industry at large, Justin enjoys spreading the word on the region’s music potential and is actively involved in its positive evolution.

 

Interview by Anisha Tiwary

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Justin, tell us about the music scene in Hong Kong now, compared to 10 years ago, when you first started Clockenflap.

We’re still in a state of development and growth, and it’s all about cumulative baby steps forwards. Clockenflap occupies just one piece of the puzzle though we need many others to all click into place before we have a fully functioning, sustainable music scene.

You’re well traveled – constantly attending conferences and festivals around the world with a solid background in the music industry both in Hong Kong and UK. What do you think is unique about the music industry in the Hong Kong?

I’d say there are more things in common with other scenes in similar states of development rather than differences or unique characteristics. Hong Kong is an expensive city to live in, and so for artists it makes it that much more challenging to be able to dedicate the time needed to their craft whilst earning livings. Of course, this isn’t a challenge unique to HK, though it is amplified here with the high cost of living, and a general lack of clear infrastructure to help artists to develop step by step.

What are some of the sub genres of music that are unique to the scene in Hong Kong – where do you think that HK’s musical potential lies on a global level?

Some of the things I like best about HK relate to its multi-culturalism and the combination of east meets west, old meets new. It’s that melding of influences and turning it out as something uniquely local that is the potential. As a city we’re going through a time where there are a lot of people really unhappy with current directions and the prospects of the future. Often, tough times politically and socially can prove highly inspiring times creatively, so we are hoping that there is truly great music, art, poetry and such coming out of this period and true voices of generations come out which can capture this mood sincerely and authentically.

What are some of the sources of inspirations behind Clockenflap – festivals, artists and shows from around the world?

We draw inspiration from all over, both locally and internationally through all facets of our lives. There’s no one driving influence except our overriding vision for Clockenflap.  We’re fortunate that we are able to travel a fair bit for work and experience things across the world, and it’s our job to take those perspectives, mix them around with our own lens and apply it so we ultimately have something unique we can offer festival goers on our side.

What do you think is the next step for Clockenflap – since you are pioneers of the scene in Hong Kong, where do you plan to take it next?

The ultimate vision behind Clockenflap hasn’t changed since day one, so that will always continue along same themes.  Though within that remit, the fun bit is finding new and interesting ways to keep it fresh and moving forwards, and that’s what is in our DNA and why we do what we do.  We always are in the process of continuous improvement and reimagning.  I can’t see that ever changing, or at least if it does, it will probably be time to stop!

What have you been listening to most recently?

It’s constantly evolving, though if I look at the tracks I’ve been listening to this past week, it includes: Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile, Gym and Swim, The National, King Krule, NYPD, Jay som and many others.

Lastly, what do you look forward to at EARS on Mumbai 2017?

It’s my first ever trip to India, so I’m delighted to have been invited, and really looking forward to meeting great people and discovering new local music – and of course the food!

 

See the EARS on Mumbai Music Track and Speakers here. For more info and latest updates, order our newsletter.

 

Photo: byronv2 / CC BY-NC 2.0

Q: “We need more producers who see cinema as more than entertainment”

In conversation with EARS on Mumbai speaker, experimental independent filmmaker and rapper, Quashiq Mukherjee aka Q – best known for groundbreaking work in the Indian independent cinema scene. His team, Oddjoint, pioneered resource management and co-production in Indian independent films.

 

Interview by Anisha Tiwary

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You have been a pioneer in the experimental independent cinema sector in India, with your own production house. What are your thoughts on the current scenario in terms of new work being created and distribution in the country?

It is a weird and volatile time. Clearly we are in the middle of a massive shift in terms of social practices, to add to the tectonic technical shift with the world going digital. The euphoria about cheap digital process and online distribution revolutionising independent content, that was palpable even two years back, is being questioned as we speak. I do think new work coming out of India is getting more and more edgier and nuanced. But popular culture is also hard at work to appropriate whatever is original and has teeth. The new digital platforms are opening up a brand-new space to create contemporary content that will be socially and politically relevant. However the political climate is one of extreme  chaos, and the commercial mindset of Indian media houses are not entirely conducive to content as statement. It’s going to be an exciting and twisted next three years.

Do you think film festivals worldwide have contributed to the growth of the independent sector? Do they truly offer valuable business opportunities?

Yes, festivals are the backbone of the independent spirit. Whether music or  art or film, festivals are spaces which ‘Q rate’ and nurture new voices and forms. Most bigger festivals have understood the value of direct interaction with the marketplace. Over time some of them have become simply over a marketplace more than a festival. But yes, festivals are places that offer networking opportunities creating relationships that foster new work. This cannot be denied.

What are your thoughts on the digital medium taking over conventional distribution for indie filmmakers – and what do you think is the next step in digital distribution?

I for one have been waiting for this day to come. Having never been a fan of traditional distribution for independent films especially in a place like India, which is highly morally superficial and volatile. As we all know we have an antique censorship system, which effectively stops any critical piece from entering the mainstream distribution circuit. So clearly digital distribution is the way forward. However, every day, our authoritative administration works to block individual freedom in the digital domain. Aided by huge corporate digital players, The establishment is trying to contain and control what goes online. For truly independent artists, the fight for digital freedom is an everyday affair.

What are the opportunities for co-productions being developed for Indian filmmakers?

There are quite a few in fact. Many European countries have coproduction treaties is with us, and there are funds and facilities that can be accessed if one goes and spend enough time and effort to network and connect with this Community. There is still one huge issue, since India does not have any media or in public funding, which is often a crucial starting point for coproductions. A lot of Indian independent companies, including mine, have been able to somehow work past the bureaucratic issues and complete a successful coproduction.

What do you think is the future of the Indian independent film scene in our country?

It is completely up to the filmmakers. Since there is a general antipathy towards pure content in India. The general test has been commercialised and trivialised by Bollywood sensibilities. The economics of independent films often seem to be truly daunting, especially with the lack of domestic distribution. We need more producers who can understand and appreciate cinema as something that is more than simply entertainment. I don’t mean investors, I mean producers who are filmmakers in their own rights.

Lastly, what are you looking forward to the most at EARS on Mumbai 2017?

I am looking forward to the secret sessions. There will be some surprises there.

 

See the EARS on Mumbai Film and Media Track and Speakers here. For more info and latest updates, order our newsletter.

 

Photo: Bekah Cope / CC BY-ND 2.0

Mandeep Raikhy: “I wanted to use dance as a way to speak up”

We speak to EARS on Mumbai speaker Mandeep Raikhy, leading dance practitioner based in Delhi, best known for his works Inhabited Geometry (2010), a male ant has straight antennae (2013) and Queen Size (2016). Mandeep has been working as Managing Director at Gati Dance Forum since 2009.

 

Interview by Anisha Tiwary

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Mandeep, in your view, how has contemporary dance evolved in India in the last 10 years?

I think the contemporary dance scene has grown in multiple ways. One, it has had a whole lot of young artists coming in with a very different set of questions – some around the traditional practices that they have been trained in; in pushing the boundaries of their forms, and some with regards to the relationship that the audience has with the performer; really challenging what performance is to the entire country. While others are making direct linkages to the social political environment through their performances. There’s been a whole lot of work around activism in the last ten years. So it has been quite wonderful because finally, the dance practices in the country have been able to look at identity, dissent and form in exciting ways. Before this, it wasn’t this way – though of course there have been landmark practitioners who have changed the way we’ve looked at dance over the years.

How do you think that this features in the global context?

I think contemporary dance is at different points around different parts of the world. In Europe, for example, a ceiling has been reached – around the kind of questions that are being asked, around the process, around the body and one now is really looking for (new) reference points. You can feel that it’s a bit stuck – it has been through all kinds of upheavals; taking choreography away from the body, making it a little more conceptual, and everything. So you can sense the standstill and it’s an exciting moment. In India, I feel like we’re beginning to generate a kind momentum now – through asking the questions that are now being asked…and that’s exciting too. We’re far away from hitting a ceiling.

Definitely. Even your piece Queen Size, makes a political comment, and moves beyond creative expression. What made you choreograph it?

A couple of years ago, the BJP government had just come into power, and about a year later there was a whole lot of upheaval with artists returning their awards as resistance – saying that the government must respond to these acts of violence towards these individuals, especially the minorities. I sensed this sort of discomfort – you could see that dance was in a way locked up with the institutions, with the State, in a way where it couldn’t really stand up against it. I think it has very much to do with patronage, the fact that dance has been supported mostly by the State, and also because dance by itself is linked very much to the national identity in this country – you know, at independence, dance became this sort of image of what India is, and it’s rich history, and it got locked up there, and the State kept it that way. In a way, therefore, it’s really hard for practitioners to speak up. I felt this desire for dance to become autonomous in some sense – in a way that it could be used to speak up. And that was my response with Queen Size.

Another challenge that dancers face today is spaces to perform at – venues, per say. What are your thoughts on this, what’s lacking and how could it get better?

The one thing about our field is that there are very few curated spaces for dance across the country – I can name a few but they’re not really accessible. Which means that mostly when dancers perform, they wait to be invited – where maybe the one and a half festivals in India would invite them over 2-3 years to perform, or they may not. They can also get their own money, hire an auditorium, ticket the event, and the ticketed event can never pay for the cost of the auditorium. But you could go down that route and do it once a year. So I also in a way (through Queen Size) responded to our performance ecology being full of commercial spaces, even though we have so many spaces that were set up by the government in the 70s and 80s. These spaces have ended up becoming commercial ventures under certain management. The artist, hence, has to choose to either do one show a year, or change the ecology. I really wanted to take it into my hands and say that I’m excited by the possibility of work that is more mobile, work that is dependent on the self – and not on hiring lights, equipment. I was also interested in taking work to settings where even theatre wouldn’t go. Because there are three to four hundred people in a city, typically, who visit theatres to watch contemporary dance – then how do you make your work more accessible? How do you change its context, and how do you begin to really take it to different kind of people – these are the questions that I’ve been dealing with. There are a whole lot of practitioners now who are dealing with the exact same thing. There has been an outburst of work that do not belong to the theatre any more – I think it’s also a collective response to our ecology. We have to take it into our hands.

Thanks Mandeep – lastly, what do you look forward to at EARS on Mumbai this year?

I’m interested in spaces where people come together to share where they’ve reached, as far as our ecology is concerned. I’m very excited to meet a whole lot of people from various parts of the world and know all that they’re thinking about!

 

See the EARS on Mumbai Performing Arts Track and Speakers here. For more info and latest updates, order our newsletter.

 

Photosilhouettesgem / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Arjun Vagale: “We are just scratching the surface”

We had a talk with EARS on Mumbai speaker Arjun Vagale, a DJ, producer, owner of artist management agency UnMute and electronic music school I Love Music Academy, and co-owner of the label ODD Recordings, about the electronic music scene in India.

Interview by Anisha Tiwary

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Arjun, you’re keeping busy expanding your reach worldwide; from performing at Magnetic Fields in India for the first time this year, as well as the Awakening Festival in the Netherlands. What keeps you going?

I just love music – and all things attached to it. I’m obsessed with it! Ever since I decided to turn this passion into a profession, I’ve dived deep and immersed myself in all its facets. Without true passion, I don’t think one can succeed in this business.

You’ve pioneered the underground electronic music scene in India – what are your thoughts on the current Indian music landscape?

I think India is at a great place right now – the scene is vibrant and there are a lot of promoters and collectives doing great things to push us forward. Apart from the obvious names, it’s the smaller cities that have really impressed me. We are just scratching the surface – there’s a lot more to be discovered.

What do you think is the next trend in the Indian dance music scene?

Honestly I’m not into trends – it has always been, and will always be about good quality music!

You’re the first South Asian to be signed onto internationally acclaimed label Drumcode – what are your thoughts about it, and the creative exchanges between Indian contemporary musicians and those abroad?

Signing to Drumcode is a major milestone for any artist, and I’m super proud of it. I also hope this paves the way for the future generation of producers in India and Asia. Electronic music has no language and geography is not an excuse anymore.

What are some sub genres of music that are unique to the Indian music scene and have immense collaborative potential? 

For many years, infusing electronic music with Indian classical instruments was a thing! I believe that today it’s not necessary to force your heritage into the music you want to play and produce – the world is open.

What are you looking forward to the most at the EARS on Mumbai 2017?

It’s always great to see new initiatives within the business, and EARS has a great angle, so I’m looking forward to the talks and sessions in Mumbai.

Lastly, name some South Asian artists and collectives to look out for. 

There are so many  – Kohra, BLOT, Film, DOTDAT, Joba, The Krunk crew, Mixtape, AFE… the list goes on!

 

Kohra, aka Madhav Shorey and the KRUNK founder Sohail Arora are also EARS on Mumbai speakers.

See the EARS on Mumbai Music Track and Speakers here. For more info and latest updates, order our newsletter.

 

Photo by Joe Flood CC BY 2.0

EARS 2017: Film and Media Track

At EARS on Mumbai 2017, we’re digging deep into the film and media sector with not only panels and presentations, but also screenings, special encounter sessions looking at the individual works of our speakers, and secret screenings.

 

JOIN EARS ON MUMBAI 2017 TO MEET THESE SPEAKERS ON DISTRIBUTION, CO-PRODUCTIONS, FESTIVALS AND MORE:

 

Quashiq Mukherjee, Filmmaker, Rapper

Deepa Gahlot, Journalist, Curator

Pawan Kumar, Filmmaker, Screenwriter

Kati Nuora, Founder, CEO, Creative Export Innovations

Helene Ouvrard, Organiser, Vientianale International Film Festival

Sameer Mody, Managing Director, Pocket Films

Gurpal Singh, Co-Founder, BYOFF

Sridhar Rangayan, Filmmaker, Festival Director & Activist

Janne Niskala, Producer, Managing Director, Vaski Filmi Ltd.

Sanjay Ram, Journalist, Film Critic, Co-Founder, Basil Content Media

 

…and more! To stay up to date on all program info and announcements, order our newsletter here.

Want to join us? Register here.

 

EARS 2017: Performing Arts Track

In Performing Arts, EARS on Mumbai 2017 will look at alternate spaces, international collaboration, programming, and dance development, and take the topics from the panels and encounter sessions to practice with the showcases of Mixed Arts, Spoken Word, Physical and Dance Theatre.

 

 

 

JOIN EARS ON MUMBAI 2017 TO MEET THESE PROFESSIONALS OF INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION, POLICY, FESTIVALS, AND MORE:

 

Parmesh Shahani, Founder, Head, Godrej Culture Lab

Kirsi Mustalahti, Founder, Chairwoman, Accessible Arts and Culture Association

Sameera IyengarCo-Founder, Junoon

Kai Amberla, Executive Director, Finland Festivals

Nimi RavindranCo-Founder, Sandbox Collective

Avantika Bahl, Contemporary Dancer

Mandeep Raikhy, Managing Director, Gati Dance Forum

Preethi Athreya, Dancer, Choreographer

Sujay Saple, Artistic Director, ShapeShift Collective

Sasu Paakkunainen, CEO, ACCAC Global, Co-Founder, Slush Music

Petteri Jakobsson, CEO, Maracat Caravan

June Tan, Producer, Five Arts Centre

 

 

…and more! To stay up to date on all program info and announcements, order our newsletter here.

Want to join us? Register here.

EARS 2017: Music Track

The cherry on top of the Music Panels, Encounter Sessions and Masterclass of the Music Track at EARS on Mumbai 2017 is not round and red, but wavy and free-form – namely, the Showcases on electronic music, jazz and modular synth on the 6th, 7th and 8th of December!

 

 

JOIN EARS ON MUMBAI 2017 TO MEET THESE SPEAKERS ON EVENTS, MANAGEMENT, DISTRIBUTION, AND MORE:

 

Emmanuelle de Decker, Founder, GATECRASH

Sohail Arora, Founder, Director, KRUNK

Acho Ji, Business Development Manager, S.T.D.

Colin D’Cruz, Jazz musician

Ren Yuqing, Founder, CEO, JZ Music

Benji Rogers, CEO, Co-Founder, dotBlockChain Media

Atul Churamani, Managing Director, Turnkey Music & Publishing

Arjun Vagale, DJ, Producer

Sasu Paakkunainen, Co-Founder, Content Director, Slush Music

Ashvin Mani Sharma, DJ, Producer, Composer

Ash Roy, Producer, DJ

Kai Amberla, Executive Director, Finland Festivals

Tej Brar, Founder, Director, Third Culture Entertainment

Justin Sweeting, Co-Founder, Music Director, Magnetic Asia

Danny Keir, Director, Business Development, Sound Diplomacy

John Stratton, Founder, CEO, FutureONE

Ketan Bahirat, Producer

Laiq Qureshi, Founder, Urban Beat Project

Indra Ameng, Program Coordinator, ruanggrupa, Festival Director, RRREC Fest

Ashish Jose, Producer

Madhav Shorey, DJ, Producer

Rafael Pereira, Founder, Cadre Project Support Solutions

Sjam Sjamsoedin, Artist

Juha Ruusunen, Senior Manager, Business Development, Sony Music Entertainment Finland

Christian Schwanz, Producer, DJ

Alex Grigg, Executive Director for Music, BC Industry Association

Ankita Roy, Artist Manager, The Bartender

V.G. Jairam, Co-Founder, Fountainhead MKTG & Oranjuice Ent.

Josh Carr Hilton, CEO, The District

Tarun Nayar, Musician, Co-Founder, Delhi 2 Dublin

Anu Anna George, Artist Manager, Mixtape

 

 

…and more! To stay up to date on all program info and announcements, order our newsletter here.

Want to join us? Register here.

EARS 2017: Digital

With Film and Media, Music and Performing Arts being the three main tracks at EARS on Mumbai 2017, digital is the strand connecting them all. 

PANELS

Future of independent content on digital platforms
What are the emerging trends in the demand for independent content on digital platforms? What are the factors driving such demand? Where does the content creator stand in this equation with the content platforms? Are there hidden factors that might affect the content creators? How can content creators monetise their work through such platforms?

Digital consumers
Increasingly content is being published digitally and loads of content is being produced to address this demand. But where are the consumers/audience? What the patterns in consumption of digital content? How is this pattern influencing the strategy of digital platform?

Role of social media in shaping the presence of independent content
Going digital with content, also requires a well-designed social media plan to achieve the desired result in terms of the content being visible, the artist getting their due recognition and translating this recognition into tangible results. Multitude of digital marketing agencies and social media managers are getting busy with plans for grabbing this moment. What are the real questions that the content creator needs to ask before engaging such strategies? How can these agencies and managers empower the content creator, enhance their monetisation options and build a new generation of followers?

EARS 2016: Speakers on Music

This year, we take a special look into music with an emphasis on digitalization of live events and the influence of personal brands and one-person broadcasts. How do social media, VR, streaming, and 360 degree productions change organizing or attending events? What about the possibilities of one-person broadcasts and strong personal brands for marketing and distribution? Furthermore, we’ll look at co-writing, music and brand collaboration and regional touring networks. The music program is produced in co-operation with Music Finland and Finpro’s Finnish Lifestyle Asia growth program.

Join EARS on Helsinki 2016 to meet these speakers on production, events, distribution, and branding:

 

HOWARD LIAN
Co-Founder, Yong Le Entertainment & Sports Corp.
Howard Lian is the Co-Founder of China’s leading entertainment and investment platform Yong Le Entertainment & Sports Corp. Howard is in charge of the company’s financing and investment business. Yong Le is China’s leading tickets marketing agent of live entertainment and sports events, an events operator, film distributor and investor.

AL DI
Managing Director, Yong Le Entertainment & Sports Corp. USA
Al Di is in charge of the international repertoire of China’s leading entertainment and investment platform, Yong Le Entertainment & Sports Corp. Currently, Al produces international concert tours in China and movies in Hollywood.

JAE JIN IN
Founder, Artistic Director, Jarasum International Jazz Festival
Jae Jin In, or JJ, is the Founder and Artistic Director of Korea’s biggest jazz festival, Jarasum International Jazz Festival. Truly a seasoned professional in the Korean jazz scene, JJ has produced over 1000 jazz concerts. He is also the director of Gwangju World Music Festival and a professor of music business at Howon University.

JUSTIN SWEETING
Co-Founder, Music Director, Magnetic Asia
Justin Sweeting is the Co-Founder and Music Director of Magnetic Asia, who runs the annual Clockenflap Music & Arts festival in Hong Kong and further brands including YourMum, www.ticketflap.com, Sonar Hong Kong and more. Having established the pan-regional, cross media platform AMP (Asia’s Music Platform) for Channel [V], Justin has been focused on the live music scenes of the territory.

JOHN WILLAME
Promoter, Operation Manager, Vijicorp Ltd
Founder, CEO, SmallFish Agency
John Willame is a Promoter and Operation Manager at Vijicorp and Founder and CEO of SmallFish Agency. Working with international artists in Bangkok, Vijicorp has become a key actor in the South East Asian music scene. With SmallFish, founded in 2015, John has an ambition in bringing young artists to the next level.

MICHAEL LOJUDICE
CEO, No Roads Entertainment
Head of International, Modern Sky Entertainment
Michael LoJudice is one of the vanguards in building cooperation between the creative industries of the East and the West. Besides running his full service music entertainment company No Roads in New York, he is in charge of international affairs and booking at China’s leading festival organizer and music entertainment company Modern Sky Entertainment.

SOHAIL ARORA
Founder, Director, KRUNK
Sohail Arora is the Founder and Director of KRUNK, an events, artist management and booking agency based in Mumbai. In addition to running India’s only bass heavy electronic music festival BASS CAMP, KRUNK runs two TV shows on the MTV Network. Sohail Arora is also a full-time member of the Mumbai-based Bay Beat Collective and a solo artist under the moniker EZ Riser.

KEIZO MAEDA
Program directors’ board, Promotion & Marketing Director, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre
Keizo Maeda is a member of international program for music and theatre/dance and responsible for promotion at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre in Tokyo. Keizo has also worked for the curatorial division of the Setagaya Art Museum and as the Producer of Conversation and Company, followed by Program Associate of Festival/Tokyo.

TONI-MATTI KARJALAINEN
Academy Research Fellow, Docent, Aalto University
Toni-Matti Karjalainen, Doctor of Arts and M.Sc. (Econ.), is Academy Research Fellow and Docent in management of music and culture export at the Aalto University in Helsinki. Toni-Matti is also the host of the Modern Heavy Metal: Markets, Practices and Cultures conference, organized in Helsinki in 2015 and 2016, and Secterary on the International Society for Metal Music Studies (ISMMS).

FLOWSIK
Rap artist
Flowsik is a rap artist who’s toured USA and Japan and made collaborations with DVLP, Dr. Luke Camp, Aaron Pierce and SONGS Music Publishing, Brian Lee in the United States. Preceding EARS on Helsinki, Flowsik is coming to Finland for studio sessions with Finnish hip hop artists and producers, organized by Export Finland’s Finnish Lifestyle Asia Growth Program and Music Finland.

JANGMIN CHOI
Founder, Director, Visla
Jangmin Choi is the Founder and Director of VISLA magazine, covering all things topical from the Korean subculture scene to fashion and art. To EARS on Helsinki, Jangmin will bring his extensive insight on Korean youth culture.

DEEKEI
Executive Producer, A&R Executive, Deekei Music Production & Publishing
Deekei is a music producer and A&R Executive at Deekei Music Production & Publishing, previously working at YG Entertainment. Preceding EARS on Helsinki, Deekei is coming to Finland for studio sessions with Finnish hip hop artists and producers, organized by Export Finland’s Finnish Lifestyle Asia Growth Program and Music Finland.

IVY WONG
Founder, CEO, VS Media
Ivy Wong is the Founder and CEO of next generation media network VS Media, driving audience engagement and empowering independent content creators to engage and work with international brands. Former Asia’s Senior Director of Global Sales at Yahoo!, COO of TVB.com and CEO on Next Mobile Limited, Ivy has an impressive background in molding the Asian media market.

ELAPSE
Hip hop producer
Elapse founded the hip hop record label Soul Company´ together with a group of rappers. He has also served as the producer and recording engineer for the label. Preceding EARS on Helsinki, Deekei is coming to Finland for studio sessions with Finnish hip hop artists and producers, organized by Export Finland’s Finnish Lifestyle Asia Growth Program and Music Finland.

JORGE JUAN B. WIENEKE V
DJ, Producer, Sound Designer
Jorge Juan B. Wieneke W is in charge of running one of Manila’s household communities and labels for electronic artists called The BuwanBuwan Collective. He is also the founder of his own electronic music production mentorship program called ”Cosmic Sonic Arts”, and he also teachers Applied Electronic Music at De-Lasalle College of Saint Benilde, School of Design and Arts.

WEI GAO
International Collaboration, Sound of the Xity
Wei Gao is in charge of international affairs in the Chinese music expo and festival Sound of the Xity (SOTX), a yearly event in Beijing, China. SOTX has a long-term commitment to the joint development of the Chinese and Western music industries. Wei Gao also works on international business of Modern Sky, China’s largest music entertainment group.

MARTIN RØEN HANSEN
Producer, Danish Radio
Martin Røen Hansen produces and organizes concerts, recordings and events for Danish National Radio Big Band and consults upcoming artists in their international careers. Martin has previously produced, supported or co-organized hundreds of concerts in mainland China, Korea, Indonesia and Thailand, as well as hosted Asian rock, jazz and indie acts in Denmark.

PHILIPP GREFER
Co-founder, Fake Music Media
Philipp Grefer is the co-founder of Fake Music Media, a creative music agency based in Beijing and Berlin, booking and promoting artists all over China and Asia and managing some of Asia’s best known international talent, e.g. Nova Heart and Shao. Philipp is also the co-founder of The Sun Society, the M.A.D. Festival in Beijing and NEU China.

GERRIET SCHULTZ
Founder, Border Movement
Gerriet Schultz is the founder of Border Movement, and intercultural exchange project or electronic music in Germany and South Asia. Since 2016, Border Movement runs a residency program for south asian artists in Berlin and german artists in South Asia. Gerriet is also a Berlin-based musician, freelance curator and the founder of the legendary WMF Club Berlin (1990-2010).

…and more! To stay up to date on all program info and announcements, order our newsletter here.

Want to join us? Register here.

EARS 2016: Speakers on Film and Media

Major investments into film are coming in from the Chinese market, and China is to become the largest movie market in the world by 2017 . This is what brings the topic of movie funding to tables at EARS on Helsinki 2016. Not shy to this are questions of IP’s, licensing and productization, marketing, Korean film and co-productions between Europe and Asia. The film and media program is produced in co-operation with Finnish Film Foundation, Finnanimation and Tekes – Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation.

Join EARS on Helsinki 2016 to meet these speakers on film, funding, IP’s, licensing and brand building:

 

TERRY DING
Executive Director, Entertainment Division, Fosun Group
Terry Ding is the Executive Director of the Entertainment Division at Fosun Group, China’s leading investment group and one of the owners of Cirque Du Soleil, one of the biggest theatrical producers in the world. Terry’s division manages investments into major companies such as Hollywood studio Studio8 and Beijing’s Polybona Studios. Simultaneously, Terry’s a well-known angel investor.

HOWARD LIAN
Co-Founder, Yong Le Entertainment & Sports Corp.
Howard Lian is the Co-Founder of China’s leading entertainment and investment platform Yong Le Entertainment & Sports Corp. Howard is in charge of the company’s financing and investment business. Yong Le is China’s leading tickets marketing agent of live entertainment and sports events, an events operator, film distributor and investor.

AL DI
Managing Director, Yong Le Entertainment & Sports Corp. USA
Al Di is in charge of the international repertoire of China’s leading entertainment and investment platform, Yong Le Entertainment & Sports Corp. Currently, Al produces international concert tours in China and movies in Hollywood. His previous productions include Hollywood movies Dreamland and Brigsby Bear.

TIMO ARGILLANDER
Managing Partner, Co-Founder, IPR.VC Management
Timo Argillander is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of IPR.VC Management, a Finnish venture capital fund funding early stage TV, film, animation, internet content and game producers targeting international markets. With a long background in media and tech industries as an entrepreneur, executive and management consultant, Timo also has insight on managing digital transformations.

TIANYI PAN
Executive Producer, Premier Vision Pictures
Tianyi Pan is the Executive Producer and VP Operations at Premier Vision Pictures. Tianyi is currently working on a movie based on Ali the Fox, one of the most popular Chinese character IP’s at the moment. Born in China, grown up and educated in Finland and now based in Shanghai, Tianyi has also worked at Rovio and developed the Angry Birds business in China.

SANG KIL LEE
Senior Vice President, Consumer Products Licensing & Brand Management, Fung Group
Sang Kil Lee, or SK, manages KT Licensing Limited and oversees other subsidiaries and business units at Fung Group, formerly known as Li & Fung Group, for Greater China and Korea, in the area of consumer products licensing and brand management for wold famous cartoon characters such as Hello Kitty. SK has previously worked at Disney Consumer Products across management roles in the Asia-Pacific region.

HEIKKI LAANINEN
Managing Director, Co-Founder, 5th Wave Brands
Heikki Laaninen is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of 5th Wave Brands, a licensing and brand development agency representing the new wave of digital entertainment, as well as Nordic design and life-style brands with consumer products licensing, IPR’s, and brand development. He’s also a board member and vice-chairman at AGMA, Finnish Agents and Managers in Creative Industries.

ISABELLE GLACHANT
Founder, CEO, Chinese Shadows, Asian Shadows
Isabelle Glachant is the Founder and CEO of international sales company Asian Shadows and production company Chinese Shadows. French, but based in Asia, Isabelle is also uniFrance Films’ Greater China representative. Asian Shadows represents films such as Siti and Paths of the Soul, and Chinese Shadows works with talents like Eddie Cahyono, Faozan Rizal and Liu Shu.

ROLEFF KRÅKSTRÖM
Managing Director, Moomin Characters Ltd.
Roleff Kråkström is the Managing Director of Moomin Charcters Ltd. overseeing the Moomin licenses globally. Also Founding Partner and board member of Rights & Brands Agency, a Nordic agency working with character representation and branding from publishing and PR to licensing, merchandising and digital, Roleff has a versatile view to the licensing business.

JONATHAN HYONG-JOON KIM
Chief Creative Officer, Signal Pictures
Jonathan Hyong-Joon Kim is the Chief Creative Officer at the multinational production company Signal Pictures. With a career in the Korean film industry that spans over 27 years, Kim has produced over 20 feature films and served two terms as the Chairman of the Korean Film Producer’s Association.

JOOICK LEE
CEO, SCS Boram Entertainment
Jooick Lee is a film producer and the CEO of SCS Boram Entertainment Inc. based in Seoul, Korea. He is well connected with film industries in Japan, China, Hong Kong and Hollywood. Before starting his career in film business, Jooick has been teaching at colleges and worked as a journalist and business consultant.

PETTERI PASANEN
CEO, Producer, Anima
Petteri Pasanen is the CEO of Anima, one of the leading animation studios in the Nordics. He is a Cannes award-winning animation producer with extensive international networks in the global animation business. Petteri is also the Chairman of the board of the Malaysian animation studio AnimaPoint and a founding member of Finnanimation, a Finnish animation producers’ network.

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