Written by Shona Smith on Feb 5, 2020. Posted in Awards and Festivals

ADFEST announces postponement due to Coronavirus

Asia’s regional creative festival has announced its postponement amidst the outbreak of Coronavirus.

The festival was set to be held in March in Pattaya, Thailand from the 18-21 March 2020. The festival organisers have not yet specified a new date for the festival which brings together creative industry to gather and network.

The announcement reads:

“Dear Friends of ADFEST,

It is with a heavy heart that ADFEST announces that due to the global emergency caused by the rapid spread of Coronavirus, the intended festival between 18-21 March 2020 in Pattaya will be postponed until later this year.

It is a difficult decision, but it is our responsibility to consider the health and safety of our delegates as utmost important. We hope you understand the necessity of this action and we look forward to our next reunion.

Thank you for your understanding.”

Elsewhere in the region, Hong Kong has closed all of its land and sea connections with mainland China to control the spread of the virus. A decision has not yet been taken by the organisers of FilMart, which is due to take place in on March 25-28 in Hong Kong. Festival organisers, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, are due to make a decision this week.

Coronavirus has impacted the Chinese entertainment sector. Crews and production companies such as Qingdao Studio first halted production voluntarily, followed by an official notice from The China Federation of Radio and TV Associations declaring all film and TV production companies, crews and actors to suspend shoots until a period of heightened virus prevention has passed.

More than 70,000 cinemas have closed in China due to the virus during the most lucrative time of the year. New releases have been postponed domestically and international releases have also been postponed as Chinese films cannot be released worldwide before their domestic debut.