The film industry’s annual exhibition and distribution convention known as CineAsia has been called off amid Delta variant outbreaks according to the Hollywood Reporter. Unfortunately, this will be the third consecutive year the conference has been cancelled.
The show originally held in Hong Kong was first set back due to violent political unrest in 2019. After that cancellation, the event relocated to Bangkok, Thailand in 2020. However, the pandemic pushed back the event for a second time. Now, the pandemic has caused cancellation yet again. The conference is usually hosted somewhere in Asia Pacific every year.
CineAsia’s Statement
“After much consideration following conversations with strategic partners in the APAC region and meetings with key supporters and studios at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, we have determined that we cannot hold a successful convention in Bangkok in December 2021.” CineAsia organizers said in a statement. “It is therefore with much sadness and disappointment that we need to cancel CineAsia 2021,” they added.
Aside from featured movie screenings and a trade show for major Hollywood studio execs, CineAsia holds much more. The three-day event also includes a series of panel discussions/ award ceremonies for stars and exhibitors.
More from the statement included concerns for travel within Asian countries. “Eight key markets in the region are presently closed and will not reopen until October. Travel restrictions remain in force across all territories and we expect those to continue through year-end. Slow progress on vaccine rollouts and quarantine requirements all add to the challenges in the region.” CineAsia noted. They also emphasized their top priorities. “Safety is our first priority and we cannot subject our delegates to any potential risk.”
About Film Expo
Since Film Expo produced the event, it is expected they will host an in-person CineAsia in 2022. Updated information will be shared with the industry soon. Although Film Expo is based in New York City, they host events in other regions as well. They put on CineEurope in Barcelona and ShowEast in Miami.
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