The third edition of the International Film Camp (IFC) concluded yesterday with a closing and awards ceremony at The Londoner Macao, where eight outstanding short film projects were chosen among the submissions from the participants from across Asia to receive HK$300,000 in production funding.
Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy and sponsored by Sands China, this year’s film camp, themed “When Strangers Meet”, saw over 450 applications, from which 16 up-and-coming filmmakers from across Asia were chosen to take part in the five-day camp held at The Venetian Macao in Cotai.
To date, this brings the total number of applications to nearly 1,400 since 2024.
From the 16 in the camp, the eight participants chosen by a panel of experts to receive production funding for their respective films were: the Chinese mainland’s Qu Zhizheng and Bo Hanxiong; Hongkongers Wong Ka Ki and Erica Kwok Chung Yee; Macau’s Chan Chon Sin; Kyrgyzstan’s Ilimbek Maksatbekov; Bangladesh’s Shubha Kumar Paul; and Kazakhstan’s Ainamkoz Yemzharova.
The 16 participants had received one-on-one professional mentoring that enabled them to further refine their short film concepts and pitching proposals.
The camp offered a series of masterclasses and seminars led by distinguished mentors, which, according to a statement by Sands China yesterday, covered directing, screenwriting, funding, distribution, post- production, pitching and participation in film festivals. This year’s programme also introduced a new panel discussion on AI.
Sands China Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Grant Chum Kwan Lock said in his speech via video link: “By enabling filmmakers to experience Macau from their own creative perspective, we hope to inspire industry practitioners to see the city with fresh eyes and rediscover the depth and diversity of its cultural heritage. Through the lens of cinema, they can showcase Macau’s unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures to audiences worldwide, further establishing the city as a fertile ground for creative inspiration, a destination of choice for travellers, and a compelling hub for film production and storytelling”.
Asian Film Awards Academy Chairman Wilfred Wong Ying-wai was quoted by the statement as saying: “Our theme this year is When Strangers Meet.’ In many ways this is what filmmaking is about – bringing together people with different backgrounds, experiences and ways of seeing the world. Beyond practical support, we want to give emerging filmmakers the opportunity to develop their ideas, learn from one another, and build connections across Asia”.
Wong added: “I hope they leave Macau not only with stronger projects, but also with new friends and future collaborators.”
Meanwhile, prior to the closing event, actress, writer and director Fala Chen (陳法拉) and actor, writer and producer Gordon Lam Ka Tung, both from Hong Kong, also delivered a masterclass, during which they talked about their careers from their start on TVB to eventually moving onto films, along with their experiences, and advice for aspiring filmmakers, among others.
*Stay tuned for interviews with Fala Chen, IFC winners, and a participant from the New Art Studies in Filming – Micro Movie Support Programme.
Asian Film Awards Academy Chairman Wilfred Wong Ying Wai (first row, left) and actress, writer and director Fala Chen (first row, right) pose with winners of the eight awardees of the International Film Camp (IFC). – Photo: Rui Pastorin
