Digital technology
With digital technology transforming the world, including the film and TV industry, Kamil of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia said that technologies such as artificial intelligence are merely tools.
"At the end of the day, it is no different from the word processor."
What is more important in scriptwriting is to find things that touch the heart, he said.
"If you had to rely on AI to interpret your story, it is not close to your heart."
AI helps in certain areas of film production, but a human brain is also needed, he said.
Wang of Salon Films said it is natural that people of different regions communicate with each other and create new cultures, and he pointed to the Belt and Road Initiative, born of the concept of cross-border exchange thousands of years ago.
"In the content industry, hopefully, everybody has a good culture and can exchange with each other to create a better culture."
Apart from challenges in language and cultural differences, Barker of the Australian National University said, few resources are available for individuals or companies wanting to undertake coproduction, and information posted on the websites of film agencies in different countries is often incomplete.
"Building better resources is important as this will lead to greater transparency and provide clarity."
More funding and support for independent and non-mainstream filmmakers is also needed, he said.
Thanks to the internet and streaming services, there is now a lot more access to content from across Asia, so filmmakers and consumers are no longer limited to their domestic market, Barker said.
In addition to the rapid spread of film and TV content across the region, he said, film festivals contribute to the strong network of regional filmmakers, which presents opportunities for collaboration and investment from numerous sources.
Locman2011 said it will be among the few delegations from Thailand to take part in the 14th Beijing International Film Festival from April 19 to 22, and Phasit said he hopes to convince more Chinese companies to visit Thailand to film.
"China has one of the world's biggest entertainment and media markets, and Thailand has many talented directors and scriptwriters."
Many Thai film directors lack funding and opportunity, he said.
He said he hopes the governments of China and Thailand can work more closely together to encourage coproduction in the film and TV industry and create more opportunities for investors and directors to connect, which will greatly boost the film markets of both countries.