Baobab Studios has secured a strategic investment from Naver Ventures, the U.S.-based venture investment arm of Naver Corporation, the 10-time Emmy-winning transmedia animation studio has revealed. Naver Corporation is one of South Korea’s largest internet companies and the parent of Webtoon Entertainment Inc. Variety understands the investment is worth seven figures and values Baobab above
“Last Man in Tower,” the Aravind Adiga adaptation starring Manoj Bajpayee, is headed to Indian theaters this September and has unveiled its first teaser. The film, directed by Ben Rekhi and produced by Rana Daggubati‘s Spirit Media, will mark the first time Bajpayee and co-star Boman Irani have shared the screen. Adapted from Adiga’s novel
COL Group, Virtue Asia and V47 Entertainment have unveiled Inside Microdramas, billed as the first upfront event built around microdramas and the broader vertical entertainment business. The event will take place in Singapore on Oct. 27. The initiative is expected to draw senior executives from entertainment, advertising, tech, platforms and consumer brands. Inside Microdramas draws
Hamaguchi Ryusuke‘s “All of a Sudden” has been selected as Japan’s entry in the international feature category at the 99th Academy Awards, the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan (Eiren) has revealed. The selection marks the second time a Hamaguchi film has represented Japan in the category, five years after “Drive My Car” won the
Indonesian streaming platform Vidio has partnered with ReelShort, the microdrama platform owned by Crazy Maple Studio, marking ReelShort’s first entry into the Indonesian market. Hundreds of ReelShort titles will become available on Vidio starting Sept. 1. The content will stream through a dedicated Short Drama tab, accessible to subscribers on Vidio’s TV Extra, Platinum, Platinum
So says Prem Kumar Nair, CEO of Asia’s largest private health group, IHH Healthcare, as he grapples with an Asia that’s wealthier, longer-lived, and far more willing to spend money on the finer things in life. “As populations grow more affluent and people indulge in good food and wine, we’re seeing a rise in lifestyle