The four-day 3rd Macau International Comedy Festival concluded yesterday, wrapping up four days of performances, talent development initiatives and industry exchange across Macau and Hengqin.
Held at the Hengqin Culture and Art Complex and other venues, the festival adopted a “one festival, two locations” format, bringing together comedy performances, training programmes and industry events.
The festival was co-organised by Mahua FunAge* and the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), featuring a diverse programme including comedy showcases, immersive performances, industry summits and roundtable discussions.
A key highlight was the “Youth Actor Training Programme”, which provided around 70 local trainees with four months of training, culminating in stage performances and professional opportunities, according to a recent statement by Mahua. Selected participants were able to transition from training to performance and secure entry into the industry, the statement added.
The closing ceremony was attended by Malaysian-Chinese Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh Choo Kheng Todt (楊紫瓊), professionally known as Michelle Yeoh, aiming to blend international star power with local talent, striving to establish Macau as a cultural and entertainment hub within the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Michelle Yeoh rose to fame in1990s Hong Kong action films and is best known internationally for her roles in the James Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997) and martial arts film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000).
Additionally, the closing ceremony was attended by mainland Chinese stars Shen Teng (沈騰) and Ma Li (馬麗). According to DeepSeek, Shen and Ma are a celebrated Chinese comedic actor duo, best known for their long-running partnership in sketch comedy, film, and theatre. They are the core members of the Mahua FunAge; their on-screen chemistry, often portraying a bickering couple or hapless partners, has made them one of China’s most beloved comedy pairs.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Cheong Kok Kei, deputy director of the Executive Committee of the Hengqin-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, said that the festival plays an important role in nurturing young talent and strengthening the cultural and creative industries. “Macau does not lack talented young people, but the pathway to the stage is being gradually built”, he said, noting that the festival helped participants move “from students to signed performers”. Cheong also said the event demonstrated the integration of cultural resources between Macau and Hengqin, while contributing to broader industry development.
“In the past four days, the festival has not only brought laughter and joy, but also promoted tourism, exhibitions and cultural industries”, Cheong said, adding that the festival’s influence, including online engagement and live broadcasts, is expected to further expand its impact in the future.
Cheong concluded his remarks that the festival will continue to serve as a platform for talent incubation and cultural exchange, aiming to support Macau’s development as a performing arts and entertainment hub.
* Mahua FunAge (開心麻花) is a leading Chinese entertainment powerhouse specialising in comedy. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Beijing, it has grown from a niche theatre troupe into a massive “comedy ecosystem” that dominates the Chinese stage and film markets. – Google Gemini
Malaysian-Chinese Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh (left) sits next to mainland Chinese comedian Shen Teng during yesterday’s 3rd Macau International Comedy Festival at the Hengqin Culture and Art Complex closing ceremony.
Deputy Director of the Executive Committee of the Hengqin-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone Cheong Kok Kei delivers his closing remarks during yesterday’s comedy festival in Hengqin. – Photos: Khalel Vallo
