The First
GOL Summit.
The Largest LGBTQ+ Filmmaking Conference in Asia.
Taipei, November 24th 2019
During the past decade, we have witnessed the quick rise of LGBTQ+ films, series, variety shows and personalities in Western media. However, in many territories in Asia, queer themes are still taboo, and queer films are limited or non-existent.
Especially with Taiwan’s recent legalization of same-sex marriage and Taipei Pride Parade attracting over 200,000 people, Taiwan is cementing itself as a hub for Asian LGBTQ+ activities and activism. From this privileged position, we want to ask, what is the present and future of LGBTQ+ content in Asia? What can we all do to shift from invisible to visible, from niche to mainstream? And, most importantly, how do we work together to make this happen?
To answer these questions, we have organized the first GOL Summit, the largest conference about LGBTQ+ filmmaking in Asia. Regional experts in different areas of the film production process will share their insights and experiences while working on queer projects. During this one day conference we will host panels on film funding, production, distribution and marketing, plus two keynote lectures.
In-between sessions, we will showcase GagaOOLala and GOL STUDIOS’ recent international co-productions and, after the Summit, there will be an invite-only reception with more than 100 industry guests.
Join us on Sunday, November 24th to learn more about the latest trends in queer cinema.
Registrations are now open. GOL Summit is free of charge but attendance is limited. Please, register now to secure a seat.
Those interested in collaborating for co-production and distribution are welcome to book a meeting with our team.
Schedule
Keynote 1: LGBTQ+ content in 2019: What is the current status?
Time: 13:30 - 13:45
In the opening speech, we will discuss the current state of LGBTQ+ content in the world, from its popularity and mainstream acceptance in the West to the first seeds in Asia, and the role of GagaOOLala.
Jay Lin
Founder of GagaOOLala and GOL STUDIOS.
Panel 1: New co-production models
Time: 13:50 - 14:30
A group of Asian filmmakers discuss what it means to direct a LGBTQ+ film in Asia in 2019: Are there still restrictions in content? What topics are still taboo? Which countries are “friendlier”?
Chen Ming-Lang
Director of Tomorrow Comes Today (2013) and The Teacher (2019).
Zero Chou
Director of Spider Lilies (2007), The Substitute (2017) and Handsome Stewardess (2019).
Anusorn Soisa-ngim
Director of Present Perfect (2017), 2 Moons 2 (2017) and Present Still Perfect (2020).
Panel 2: Subsidies and new funding sources
Time: 14:35 - 15:15
Representatives from Taipei’s government and other production companies will look back to the LGBTQ+ films they have funded in the past years and reveal what type of stories are looking forward to collaborate with in 2020.
Jennifer Jao
Director at the Taipei Film Commission.
Jin Ong
Founder of More Entertainment, production house behind Shuttle Life (2017) and Miss Andy (2019).
Tsao Wen-chieh
President of Taiwan’s Public Television Service.
Keynote 2: Niche content for the mainstream community
Time: 15:50 - 16:05
Mrs. Tsao, president of Taiwan’s Public Television Service, will share how PTS is promoting niche content (LGBTQ+ among others) to the general population.
Tsao Wen-chieh
President of Taiwan’s Public Television Service.
Panel 3: Distributing Asian queer stories to the world: theatrical and/or digital release?
Time: 16:10 - 16:50
With Asian queer titles having difficulties to find theatrical distribution in Asia, are LGBTQ+ stories finding its audience on OTT platforms and other parts of the world? Distributors and film festival programmers meet to share their experiences.
Corentin Sénéchal
Producer and Business Affairs Manager at Epicentre Films.
Dave Kim
Film Producer and Seoul International PRIDE Film Festival Programmer.
Gene Yao
CEO at Swallow Wings, production and distribution house of Thanatos Drunk (2015) and The Teacher (2019).
Moderated by:
Janine Stein
Editorial Director at ContentAsia.
Panel 4: Marketing and hyper-targeting within the LGBTQ
Time: 16:55 - 17:35
How do we market LGBTQ+ stories? Is their TA only within the community? How does LGBTQ+ content from an Asian travel within the region and in the West? These and other questions will be answered by our experts during this final panel.
Noppharnach Chaiyahwimhon
Director, Writer and Executive Producer at GMM TV.
Joe Tsai
CCO at Result Entertainment, film marketing agency behind the series The World Between Us (2019).
Ed Lejano
Producer, Filmmaker, and Festival Director of QCinema International Film Festival.
Moderated by:
Janine Stein
Editorial Director at ContentAsia.
*Simultaneous translation headsets will be provided for all sessions.
Reception
Time: 18:00 - 20:00
Invite-only networking reception with industry guests attending the conference, where we will honor the Golden Horse Award winners announced the previous day. It is Sunday and we all deserve a drink!
Organizers
Founded 3 years, GagaOOLala is Asia’s first LGBTQ+ film streaming platform. Currently available in 21 territories and with 1000+ titles from all around the world including features, shorts, series and original content.
Launched earlier in 2019, GOL STUDIOS is GagaOOLala’s production arm. It offers filmmakers funding, production, distribution and marketing resources. In this short time, it has funded productions in Asia, Europe and North America.
GagaOOLala and GOL STUDIOS are both business units of Portico Media. Portico Media is a channel distributor and production hub based in Taipei.
Co-organizer
The Taipei Film Commission aims to provide assistance for film production in Taipei city. As a semi-governmental organization with the Commissioner of the city's Department of Cultural Affairs as chairman and industry professionals as commissioners, the TFC is resourceful and flexible at the same time.
Adviser
As a member of the Executive Yuan, the Ministry oversees and cultivates Taiwan's soft power in the areas of arts and humanities, community development, crafts industry, cultural exchanges, international cultural participation, heritage, literature and publishing, living aesthetics, TV, cinema, and pop music.
Venue
The Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei
Address
Taipei City, Da’an District, Ren’ai Road, Section 3, No. 160, B2 (Banquet Hall)
Phone number
+8862 2700 2323
If you are seeking accommodation during your stay in Taipei please, contact us at jaime@porticomedia.com to inquire about our special rates at The Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei and Forte Hotel.
