For its 17th edition, TIES THAT BIND (TTB), the leading workshop programme connecting professionals from Asia and Europe, announces the selection of 25 producers and directors coming from 18 countries.
TTB takes place over a year through 2 workshops offering comprehensive knowledge of the European and Asian film industries and markets. The participants benefit from high-level development under the guidance of top-notch experts from both continents and have the opportunity to meet with key decision makers during the TCCF – Taiwan Creative Content Fest (Taipei), and FOCUS ASIA, the Industry Section of the Udine Far East Film Festival (Italy).
The first workshop kicks off today, November 3, 2025 and the participants will work together in a group led by Jonas Weydemann (Weydemann Bros., DE) and Bradley Liew (Epicmedia, PH). The two group leaders will guide the participants’ discussion and analysis of each other’s projects from both an Asian and European perspective.
TTB Head of Studies Christophe Bruncher (Ici et Là Productions, FR) has put together a team of leading industry professionals. Script consultant Clare Downs (UK) will introduce the main script development tools to strengthen the participants’ understanding of narrative principles, in order to enable them to navigate their writers through the script development process. The producer Marie Dubas (Deuxième Ligne Films, FR) in a joint session with Patrick Mao Huang (Flash Forward Entertainment, TW), will give detailed advice on the projects’ financing plans.Bradley Liew (Epicmedia, PH), Eiko Mizuno (Loaded Films, JP), Lorna Tee (An Original Picture / Barunson / AFAN, NL, KR), Patrick Mao Huang (Flash Forward Entertainement, TW) and Yulia Evina Bhara (Kawan Kawan Media, ID) will share insights on working with private equity investors and how Asian producers do it. Géraldine Ohana (Pac Story, FR) will give advises on how to market your project.
Eiko Mizuno (Loaded Films, JP), Christophe Bruncher (Ici et Là Productions, FR) and Yulia Evina Bhara (Kawan Kawan Media, ID) will join the co-production case study of the film RENOIR (JP-FR-SG-PH-ID-QA).
Mai Meksawan (Diversion, TH) will moreover present the sales case study of the film SECOND CHANCE (IN) and share how to work with sales.
Finally, always keeping a close watch on the latest innovative trends of the global market, Chen Zhuo (FizzDragon, SG) will share insight on AI: how far has it already gone in Asia, whereas Jayde Lin (DaMou Entertainment Co., Ltd., TW), Saen Saeyoon Shim (Mr. Romance, KR) and Youngsun Soh (A+E Networks Korea, KR) will elaborate on Business Strategy. Stories in Motion: from IP to investment to global.
In addition to these sessions, all selected participants will have individual meetings with Keiko Funato (Alpha Violet, FR), Vincent Wang (House On Fire, TW/FR), Ming-Jung Kuo (Cannes Directors Fortnight, TW/FR), Mai Meksawan (Diversion, TH).
The following 10 participants focusing on project development with feature films in development and 5 participants focusing on career development wanting to extend their knowledge and network towards Asia have been selected to participate in TTB 2025:
Alexandra Borza, Fugace Films, France Project: THERE IS ONLY ONE SEASON by Edwin Ho
Daniela Cölle, Pluto Film, Germany
Isabella Depeweg, Isabella Films, The Netherlands Project: DE GELUKKIGE DOOD VAN OLEG OBAZEE by Guido Hendrikx
Liza Dino, Fire And Ice Media, Philippines Project: KARAOKE NEWS by John Paul Su
Chiara Galloni, Articolture, Italy Project: LA SCOMPARSA by Davide Palella
Ella Glants, DR Sales, Denmark
Marina Gumzi, Nosorogi, Slovenia Project: THERE ARE A LOT OF GHOSTS AROUND HERE by Gregor Božič
Evril Kuo, Yi Tiao Long Hu Bao International Entertainment Co., Taiwan Project: ONE WAY by Kai-Ro Liao
Hugo Rosak, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Czech Republic
Naomi Satoh, Ear films, Japan Project: THE BLUE BREAKS by Takuya Uchiyama
Michal Sikora, Lonely Production, Czech Republic Project: COLD FEET by Apoorva Satish
Loy Te, Kongchak Pictures Ltd., Cambodia Project: CHERRY BOMB by MILK by Jeremiah Overman
Theo Tsappos, Swedish Film Institute, Sweden
Anna Werner, Seven Elephants, Germany
Julia Xu, Q&A Entertainment, China Project: ALL IN MY FAMILY by Hao Wu
TIES THAT BIND is organised by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Audiovisual Fund, EAVE, Udine Far East Film Festival and Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) and supported by the Creative Europe – MEDIA sub-programme of the European. TIES THAT BIND is held in conjunction with Taiwan Creative Content Festival – TCCF.
For more information please contact:
TTB Coordinator, Alessandra Pastore: tiesthatbind@eave.org
