Singapore Media Festival Launches Creators Summit as Asia Television Association AI Region Adds Microdrama Focus

This year, the Singapore Media Festival will add a dedicated Maker Economy event to its lineup, launching the Asia Maker Summit alongside the Asia Television Market and Forum, which will next run from 1 to 5 December. The festival is organized by Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). New Summit (ACS) and ATF […]

The festival is organized by Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). The New Summit (ACS) and ATF will form the two main axes of this year's event, which has the theme "Heart of World Stories". RELATED STORIES Pedro Pina, YouTube VP at Iberseries & Platino Industria: 'YouTube is a hotbed for the future of creativity' YouTube to tag AI-generated songs across its platforms: Listeners 'want transparency'

"New technologies and audience behavior are constantly changing the way content is consumed, distributed and monetized," said Yvonne Tang, IMDA's Assistant Executive Director of the Media Industry Group. "Our latest SMF 2026 program is designed to help Singapore media professionals and companies adapt to this evolving media landscape, by strengthening their creative and business capabilities through extensive partnerships and business opportunities." Popular in Variety

ACS runs from December 4-5 at Marina Bay Sands under the banner "Create. Monetize. Scale". The two-day program will include more than 20 sessions, a mix of keynotes, panels and masterclasses with hands-on sessions. Their goal is to turn creators' output into sustainable businesses and IP that can travel. Generation Experience (GenXP) The Summit was hosted by Monica Khan, Founder and CEO of Creator Revolution.

Singapore-based executives in the lineup include GRVTY Media CEO and co-founder Jonathan Chua, DU Media Holdings CEO Kelvin Tan and Gushcloud International Group CEO and co-founder Althea Lim.

Manufacturers will also pay attention to brand work. Mandarin Oriental, Singapore is running a Creator Pitch Challenge to mark its 40th anniversary, while Bloomr.SG's "Makers Lab" is awarding up to SGD 100,000 ($78,000) in prizes for creator-focused ideas. Calls for proposals will open in early November.

"Creators play a powerful role in how audiences discover, engage and connect with content, brands and ideas," said Michelle Lim, founder and CEO of GenXP. "We are excited to launch the Asia Creators Summit as part of the Singapore Media Festival and create a platform for creators and the wider industry to learn from each other, share experiences and shape what's to come."

Organized by RX Global, ATF will return to Marina Bay Sands for its 27th edition from December 1 to 4. Organizers expect more than 5,000 broadcasters from Asia and beyond, representing 60 countries and regions.

"The Attention Economy" is the theme of the opening day of the ATF Leaders' Conversation. Executives from East West Bank, Omdia, TikTok, Unilever, Webtoon Productions and YouTube will examine how fans and changing viewing habits are changing content distribution, financing and brand entertainment. They will also examine how companies derive business value from audience participation

A new strand, "The Age of Artificial Intelligence | Reimagined Entertainment," combines a dedicated program with an area focused on what AI means for content creation, IP rights and regulation, and how to protect creative work. Huace Group, Moonmax and Studio Meta K will participate, as well as the Motion Picture Association, the Television Academy and the World Intellectual Property Organization. ATF will also host the final round of AI Hackathon 2026, sponsored by Yoywow Space and Visify, which will include a live creative competition and showcase of selected works.

Canada and Indonesia will each launch a new pavilion. Microdrama will have an increased focus in this year's edition, with ATF maintaining its drama shows alongside accelerator and implementation programs that pair new IP producers with development partners.

"ATF has evolved beyond a marketplace to become a premier industry platform for strategic business announcements, content delivery and thought leadership from some of the most influential voices in the entertainment industry," said Yeow Hui Leng, Singapore CEO, RX Global. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, will be a key part of the conversation, along with important issues such as regulation, financing, distribution, monetization and content innovation.