Centralization of Power in the Film Value Chain

Today, most commercial films — including production, distribution, and marketing — are controlled by major studios such as Disney, Warner Bros, and Universal. In Southeast Asia, similar patterns are observed: in countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, over 65% of theatrical content is determined by a handful of large distribution companies directly linked to major cinema chains.

This creates an imbalanced ecosystem where the power to decide what content gets made, how it's styled, and who gets to produce it is concentrated in the hands of a few. As a result, young filmmakers are forced into a weaker position, often having to compromise their creative visions to cater to mainstream preferences.