GECs
Asia Media Festival opens with 30% growth in participation
SINGAPORE: The excitement was palpable at the opening of the Asia Media Festival in Singapore this morning. The hustle and bustle of TV and animation professionals rushing to get them registered for the numerous conferences, and as sellers made the lobby of the Shangri La Hotel on Orange Grove Road, just off the island state’s famed Orchard Road, look overcrowded. And it appears that it indeed is.
As Reed Exhibitions Singapore president Ed Ng disclosed at the opening ceremony, when he said participation for the Asia Film Market & Conference, Asia Television Forum, Asia Animation is up a healthy 30 per cent. Among the new exhibitors figure Beuna Vista International, CBS/Paramount, Lions Gate, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures. And it attracted participation from more than 3,500 international sellers, buyers, speakers, delegates from 38 countries.
Ng pointed out that the Festival this year has three major special showcases on animation, interactive TV and locations.
Singapore senior minister of state for information, communications and the arts and health Balaji Sadsivan set the tone of this year’s festival when quoted Irving Berlin in his opening remark that “there’s no business like show business.” He was emphatic that Singapore has to be presented to the world as a world centre for media business.
Sadasivan made quite a few announcements during his speech, like pay per view an Asian Food Channel being launched in 2005 from Singapore, an agreement between the Media Development Authority (MDA) and Peach Blossom Media to produce seven animation series in partnership with international companies, in a deal which will see Singaporean companies owning their content.
He pointed out that the National Geographic Channel and the MDA would be producing High Definition TV programmes for a global market. He added that MediaCorp is starting a pilot project which will see locally made dramas being streamed for 3 G mobile phones.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
