Asian Film Awards Academy LaunchesInternational Film Camp
to Empower Emerging Young Filmmakers

(Macao, Sept. 29, 2023) – The Asian Film Awards Academy is proud to announce the launch of the International Film Camp (IFC), a groundbreaking initiative aims to nurture and empower the next generation of Asian filmmakers. With patronages of Hong Kong Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Instituto Cultural of Macau, and sponsored by Create Hong Kong, Film Development Fund and Sands China Ltd., the IFC will provide a unique platform for emerging filmmakers to interact with industry professionals, gain valuable insights into the creative and commercial aspects of cinema, and receive production funding and distribution opportunities through the Asian Film Awards Academy.

Scheduled to take place from April 9 to 13, 2024, at the integrated resorts operated by Sands China, the IFC promises to be a transformative experience for aspiring filmmakers. Open to talented individuals aged 21 to 40 from Hong Kong, Macao, Greater China, and the wider Asian region, the camp will offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance their skills and knowledge.

One of the key highlights of the IFC is the opportunity for participants to submit proposalsfor a short narrative fiction film centered around the theme of "My Hometown". Applicants will be required to submit a treatment, director's statement, and production plan, along with a five-minute sample reel of work or works directed by the applicant. A select group of around 30 candidates will be shortlisted for online interviews conducted by a distinguished panel of industry experts. Ultimately, 16 filmmakers will be chosen to attend the IFC.

Throughout the duration of the camp, participants will benefit from the guidance and mentorship of renowned industry professionals, who will share their expertise and provide valuable insights into filmmaking. The IFC aims to foster a collaborative and supportive environment, encouraging the exchange of ideas and the exploration of new creative horizons.

At the end of the camp, the 16 filmmakers will pitch their short film projects to a panel which will then award eight filmmakers a production grant of HK$300,000 (approx. US$38,000) each to make their short film. This panel will be chaired by the camp's Chief Mentor, veteran film producer Terence Chang whose successful career has encompassed the Hong Kong, Hollywood and China film industries.

To promote the works of the emerging filmmakers and enable their projects to reach a wider audience. The Asian Film Awards Academy will curate feature-length anthologies of the short films produced during the IFC and, showcase them in its prestigious Asian Cinerama annual touring programme. Additionally, the Asian Film Awards Academy will be ready to assist filmmakers in submitting their individual short films to relevant film festivals, amplifying their reach and exposure within the industry.

The International Film Camp represents a significant milestone in the ongoing commitment of the Asian Film Awards Academy to fostering the growth and development of Asian cinema. It is a testament to the organisation's dedication to empowering emerging talents and providing them with the necessary tools and opportunities to succeed in the ever-evolving world of film.

International Film Camp:
Date: April 9 to 13, 2024
(To facilitate travel, participants are required to arrive on Apr 8, and depart on Apr 14)
Venue: Integrated resorts operated by Sands China

Press materials can be found in the following link: https://shorturl.at/pVY35

Asian Film Awards Academy:
The Asian Film Awards Academy was founded by Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo International Film Festivals in 2013 with the shared goal of celebrating excellence in Asian cinema. Aiming to promote and recognize Asian films and its talents, AFAA highlights, strengthens and develops Asian film industry through the annual Asian Film Awards and several year-round initiatives.

The Asian Film Awards was inaugurated in 2007, where members of AFAA are drawn from its past nominees and winners. Members vote for the Asian Film Awards and participate in various AFAA activities involving film professionals and audiences in Asia and around the world.
www.afa-academy.com

Create Hong Kong
Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) as an office dedicated to promoting the development of creative industries in Hong Kong was set up in June 2009 and is put under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from 1 July 2022 onwards. It provides one-stop services and better support to the industries. In driving the development of creative industries, CreateHK focuses on nurturing talents and facilitating start-ups; exploring markets; and promoting Hong Kong as Asia' s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community. The office is responsible for the administration and management of funding schemes relating to creative industries, overseeing the infrastructure for promoting design, providing one-stop service for location filming in Hong Kong, for both local and overseas films, and is responsible for the regulatory control of special effects materials for film shooting and theatrical performances.
https://www.createhk.gov.hk

Film Development Fund
The Film Development Fund (FDF) was first set up by the Government in 1999 to support projects conducive to the long-term development of the film industry in Hong Kong. Since 2005, the Government has injected a total of $1.54 billion into FDF to support Hong Kong' s film industry along four strategic directions, namely nurturing talent, enhancing local production, expanding markets and building audience. In the past, FDF has supported a number of film productions and other film-related projects through various film production funding schemes and other film-related project schemes.
https://www.fdc.gov.hk