In this episode of Two The Point, veteran Asia film and TV journalists Janine Stein and Patrick Frater reflect on a week that captured the contradictions shaping Asia’s screen businesses as 2025 draws to a close. Coming out of the annual ATF in Singapore earlier this month, energy and attendance were strong, conference rooms were full and conversations were lively. And yet... caution reigns. Buyers are selective, order books are thin and many are waiting for global conditions to settle before committing to 2026. And THAT was before the Warner/Netflix/Paramount Skydance news... At CineAsia, the annual gathering of film exhibitors, Hollywood studios laid out their upcoming release slates while cinema owners pressed for answers on declining admissions and rising costs. Much of the focus was on experience: premium large-format screens, immersive sound, motion seating and other add-ons designed to make cinema feel distinctive again. Vietnam continues to stand out as a rare growth market, while much of the rest of Asia struggles. A notable shift in tone from Hollywood also emerged. Local films, once treated as competitors, are now widely acknowledged as essential to sustaining cinemas across Asia. Presentations from Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese studios highlighted growing confidence in local production ecosystems and the increasing ability of Asian films to travel within the region. Netflix was barely mentioned publicly, despite dominating private discussions, as speculation intensified around consolidation in Hollywood and its potential fallout. What will all this mean for Asia’s streaming platforms, licensing relationships and long-standing content pipelines in markets such as Japan, India and Southeast Asia? Janine and Patrick discuss why Asia often feels like an observer rather than a decision-maker in these global power struggles — and why that may not be entirely a disadvantage. While Hollywood debates mergers and regulation, Asia continues to adapt, diversify and build local ecosystems across theatrical exhibition, streaming and emerging formats. The episode also touches on wider signals: a dramatic rise in attendance at the Singapore International Film Festival in sharp contrast to the overall state of moviegoing; growing cross-border dealmaking; and rising investment in local-language content in India.

This episode is also available on Spotify and YouTube. 

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