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China revamps lending initiative to developing countries as it reins in risk on November 7, 2023 at 5:30 pm Business News | The Hill

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China is revamping the Belt and Road Initiative that pumped billions of dollars in grants and loans into developing countries over the last 10 years, as it attempts to rein in the risks that plagued its earlier investments, according to a new report released on Monday.

The Asian nation has shifted its attention to reducing the risk of not being repaid, its exposure to environmental, social or governance (ESG) factors and potential damage to its reputation in the developing world, the report from AidData, a research lab at William & Mary, found.

“Beijing has launched a far-reaching effort to de-risk the (Belt and Road Initiative) by refocusing its time, money, and attention on distressed borrowers, troubled projects, and sources of public backlash in the Global South,” the report said.

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“It is learning from its mistakes and becoming an increasingly adept international crisis manager,” it added.

With more than half of its loans now in repayment, China is facing the fallout from the lack of guardrails in place at the outset of its Belt and Road Initiative. About 19 percent of borrowers had fallen behind on repayments as of 2021, up from 7 percent in 2000, according to the report.

As a result, Beijing is shifting away from infrastructure project lending — once a central feature of its initiative — and moving toward emergency rescue lending to ensure its borrowers “have enough cash on hand to service their outstanding infrastructure project debts,” the report said.

It has also sought to put in place more stringent ESG safeguards, with the risk prevalence rate in the country’s infrastructure project portfolio falling from 63 percent in 2018 to 33 percent in 2021, according to the report.

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This shift comes as the U.S. and its allies have ramped up their own lending to the developing world in recent years in an effort to compete with Beijing. In 2021, America committed $61 billion to low- and middle-income countries, narrowing the gap with China.

Beijing has also pulled back slightly on its investments to developing countries. It committed $79 billion to low- and middle-income countries in 2021, down from an average of $117 billion a year between 2013 and 2017.

However, the report warned that Western nations don’t “seem to have a good understanding” of the recent changes China has made to its Belt and Road Initiative.

“Consequently, those who make and shape policy in Washington, London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, Rome, and Ottawa increasingly run the risk of competing with a version of the BRI that no longer exists,” the report noted.

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Advice

10 Tips To Creating Quality YouTube Content on a Budget

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Producing engaging YouTube videos doesn’t have to break the bank. With the right strategies and tools, you can create high-quality content that resonates with your audience without overspending.

Define Clear Objectives
Before you start filming, establish your goals. Are you aiming to increase brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, or boost video views? Your objectives will guide your content strategy and help you measure success.

Batch Content Creation
Dedicate a day to shoot multiple videos, saving time and streamlining editing. This approach maintains a consistent posting schedule, crucial for audience engagement and algorithm favorability.

Create Compelling Content
Invest time in developing high-quality video concepts. According to Analytics Partners, video content has twice the lasting impact of non-video content. Focus on creating content that resonates with your audience and aligns with your brand messaging.

 

Leverage Smartphone Technology
Modern smartphones offer excellent video quality. For example, the iPhone 12 Pro can shoot 4K video at 60 fps, rivaling many dedicated cameras. Pair your smartphone with a basic tripod and external microphone for professional-looking results.

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Optimize Lighting
Good lighting is crucial for video quality. Natural light is free and effective. Position yourself near a window or invest in affordable lighting options like ring lights, which typically cost between $20-$100.

Post-Production and Optimization

Use Free Editing Software
Take advantage of free or low-cost editing tools. DaVinci Resolve, for instance, offers professional-grade editing capabilities at no cost for its basic version.

Optimize for SEO
YouTube’s algorithm considers factors like view count, engagement, watch time, and relevance when recommending videos[2]. Use keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags to improve discoverability. For example, including relevant keywords in your title can increase views by up to 20%.

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Engagement Strategies

Prioritize Community Engagement
Respond to comments and interact with your audience. YouTube puts recent comments front-and-center in your analytics dashboard, encouraging timely responses. This engagement can lead to higher watch times and subscriber growth.

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Experiment with YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts are amassing tens of billions of views daily. Creating Shorts content can increase your channel’s visibility and engagement without requiring significant production resources.

Budget-Friendly Marketing Tactics

Leverage Remarketing
Implement remarketing campaigns to re-engage viewers who have already interacted with your content. This targeted approach can be more cost-effective than broad audience targeting.

A/B Testing
Experiment with different video formats, thumbnails, and titles. YouTube’s own data shows that 90% of top-performing videos have custom thumbnails. A/B testing can help you identify what resonates best with your audience without additional production costs.

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Engage with Your Audience
Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and encourage viewers to engage with your content. This interaction helps understand what your audience enjoys and guides future content creation.

Real-Life Example

Consider the case of Peter McKinnon, a photographer and filmmaker who started his YouTube channel in 2010. Using primarily his smartphone and basic editing software, he grew his channel to over 5 million subscribers. His success came from consistently delivering valuable content, engaging with his audience, and gradually improving his production quality as his channel grew.

By implementing these strategies, you can create engaging YouTube content that resonates with your audience without overspending. Remember, the key is to focus on delivering value and consistently improving based on audience feedback and performance metrics.

Creating high-quality YouTube content on a budget requires resourcefulness and strategy. By planning effectively, utilizing available tools, and engaging with your audience, you can produce compelling videos that resonate with viewers without overspending. Focus on delivering value, and your channel will grow!

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Business

Revisiting the Value of Film Festivals

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As a film industry professional, you’re likely no stranger to the hard work and dedication required to bring a project to life. However, you may not be aware of the crucial role film festivals play in advancing your career and the industry as a whole. Let’s revisit the importance of film festivals and how they can benefit you and your work:

Houston Comed Film Festival Feb 2024

Networking and Community Building
Film festivals offer a unique opportunity to connect with fellow filmmakers, industry professionals, and potential collaborators. You can build relationships, share experiences, and learn from others in the field. These connections can lead to new projects, mentorship, and career advancement.
Exposure and Visibility

Film festivals provide a platform for your work to be seen by a wider audience, including critics, distributors, and industry leaders. This exposure can lead to recognition, awards, and critical acclaim, which can boost your reputation and open doors to new opportunities.

Up to 30% savings compared to Hotels.com, Orbitz, and Priceline.

Career Advancement and Opportunities
Film festivals can be a launching pad for your career, helping you transition from short films to feature films or from indie to mainstream projects. You can also gain recognition and credibility, making it easier to secure funding, distribution, and production deals.
Staying Current and Inspired
Film festivals showcase innovative storytelling, techniques, and technologies. By attending, you can stay up-to-date with industry trends, find inspiration for your next project, and learn from the successes and failures of others.
Reigniting Passion and Creativity
Film festivals can rekindle your passion for filmmaking and remind you why you started creating in the first place. They offer a chance to step away from the daily grind and reconnect with the art and craft of storytelling.
In short
Film festivals are more than just a showcase for your work; they’re a hub for networking, career advancement, and inspiration. By embracing these events, you can reignite your passion, stay current, and propel your career forward. Don’t underestimate the power of film festivals in helping you achieve your goals in the film industry.
Interested in submitting your film to the Houston Comedy Film Festival? Click here to begin the application process. With a diverse range of categories and a proven track record of showcasing exceptional comedic talent, this festival offers a valuable opportunity for filmmakers to gain exposure, connect with industry professionals, and compete for prestigious awards. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this esteemed event – submit your film today.

From the Film Festival Circuit Founder, Mikal Fair:

“Explore the ‘Film Festival Submitter’s Handbook 2024,’ your ultimate guide to conquering the film festival circuit. Whether you’re a filmmaker or screenwriter, this essential resource provides practical strategies to navigate the competitive landscape of film festivals successfully. From crafting compelling titles, taglines, and synopses to creating impactful director’s and writer’s statements, this handbook equips you with the tools to shine in the festival circuit. Learn to develop effective marketing materials, including posters and trailers, and discover the importance of communication and presenting a professional package. With insights tailored to the evolving role of social media and marketing in the film industry, this handbook is your key to festival triumph. Get your copy now and embark on your journey to festival success!”

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Business

Laugh, Learn, and Connect: Houston Comedy Film Festival Oct 5th

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Date: Oct 5th
Located in:
EADO Workspaces
Address: 3420 Rusk St a3, Houston, TX 77003
Tickets Purchase: Here ( FILMMAKERS , not screenwriters, MUST purchase tickets here otherwise will impact film screening time)

The Houston Comedy Film Festival is set to return on October 5th, 2024, and it promises to be an exciting day filled with laughter, learning, and networking opportunities for comedy enthusiasts and aspiring filmmakers alike. This year, the festival welcomes Roselyn Omaka as the new festival director, bringing her expertise and innovative vision to the event.

Attendees can look forward to engaging sessions led by industry professionals. Joan Montreuil from The Newbie Film Academy will provide invaluable insights into financing films and raising capital, helping aspiring filmmakers navigate the often complex world of film funding. Meanwhile, Deloris from DD’s Showbiz will host an interactive acting workshop designed to enhance participants’ skills and confidence in front of the camera.

Although LemarKus Tinker from Friday Night Lights won’t be attending in person, he will offer an exciting virtual one-on-one guidance session for aspiring directors. This unique opportunity allows participants to connect directly with him from the comfort of their homes, gaining personalized advice and insights that can help shape their directorial vision. Imagine having a chance to ask questions and receive feedback from a seasoned professional in the industry—this virtual interaction is sure to be a highlight!

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In addition to these educational opportunities, festival winners will have the chance to receive valuable resources from sponsors to further improve their films and business outcomes. This support could be the stepping stone that many emerging talents need to make their mark in the competitive world of filmmaking.

The festival kicks off at 12 PM sharp, so attendees are encouraged to arrive 10 minutes early to ensure they don’t miss any of the action. It’s important to note that everyone must purchase a ticket to attend this fantastic event. Tickets are available for $50, which grants full access to all festival activities. Attendees can purchase their tickets through different platforms: filmmakers (not screenwriters) are encouraged to buy their tickets on filmfestivalcircuit.com, while guests and screenwriters should secure their tickets via meetup.com/bolanlemedia. Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the day of the event.

 

The Houston Comedy Film Festival has been a cornerstone of the independent film community since its inception in 2008 by author and retired filmmaker Mikel Fair. Over the years, it has consistently ranked in the FilmFreeway Top 100, cementing its status as a must-attend event for comedy filmmakers and fans.

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Houston Comedy Film Festival Feb 2024

With Roselyn Omaka’s leadership, the star-studded lineup of industry professionals, and the diverse array of films and activities planned, the 2024 Houston Comedy Film Festival is shaping up to be an unmissable experience. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, a comedy enthusiast, or simply looking for a day filled with laughter and learning, this festival has something for everyone.

Houston Comedy Film Festival Feb 2024

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of comedy filmmaking. Grab your tickets now and be part of the Houston Comedy Film Festival experience! Join us on October 5th at the Coronation Theatre in Houston for a day of creativity, laughter, and cinematic celebration! Your next big break could be waiting for you!

 

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