Macau is set to host the inaugural edition of the Asia-Europe Young Cinema Film Festival from January 5 to 11. The event will feature screenings of a variety of films, as well as masterclasses and a Works-in-Progress (WiP) Lab. The purpose of the festival is to bridge the gap between young Chinese filmmakers and the international market, and to create opportunities for networking and collaboration.
The festival’s opening film, “The Movie Emperor” directed by Ning Hao, will kick off the event, while the closing film will be “12th Fail” directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. In addition to the film screenings, the festival will also feature masterclasses conducted by renowned filmmakers from around the world, including Ning Hao, Li Dongmei, Johnnie To, Yon Fan, and Lee Hong-chi. The masterclasses will provide valuable insights and knowledge for aspiring young directors, film students, and local audiences.
Connecting Chinese Filmmakers with the International Market
One of the main objectives of the festival is to establish a connection between young Chinese filmmakers and the international market. The China Film Directors Association is actively involved in the event and will be bringing a group of young Chinese directors from its Green Onion Project for emerging talent. Artistic director Marco Mueller believes that Macau is the ideal location for this endeavor and has expressed his belief that the city can serve as a bridge between Chinese filmmakers and the international film industry.
A Platform for Emerging Talent
The Works-in-Progress (WiP) Lab is a significant component of the festival, providing a platform for emerging talent to showcase their ongoing projects to international sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers. The lab has selected 11 projects from mainland Chinese filmmakers and four Chinese-language international projects. This presents an exciting opportunity for these filmmakers to gain exposure and potentially secure support for their projects.
The film screenings at the festival will include a mix of recent films and restored classics. Among the recent festival films are Li Dongmei’s “Mama,” Lee Hong-chi’s “Love Is A Gun,” Wang Bing’s “Youth,” and Yon Fan’s “No 7 Cherry Lane.” The classics selection includes Yon Fan’s “Bugis Street,” Wang Bing’s “Tiexi District: West Of The Tracks,” and Abbas Kiarostami’s “The Experience.” The screenings will take place at Emperor Group’s new cinema at Lisboeta shopping mall in Macau’s Cotai district.
An Opportunity for Industry Professionals
The Asia-Europe Young Cinema Film Festival has attracted the attention of various industry professionals, including festival programmers and sales agents. Representatives from esteemed festivals such as Rotterdam, Berlin, Cannes, Tokyo, and Busan have confirmed their attendance. Sales agents from companies like Loco Films, Edko Films, Fortissimo, Rediance, and Parallax will also be present. This offers an opportunity for filmmakers to make important connections and potentially secure distribution for their projects.
Recognition and Support for Filmmakers
The festival’s WiP Lab selections will be screened in Zhuhai, a city located just across the mainland China border from Macau. This arrangement allows the unfinished films to be shown in their entirety without the need for an export permit. A jury of five film professionals, including producers, scriptwriters, and festival executives, will then grant awards in post-production services to the winning films. This recognition and support can be invaluable for filmmakers looking to complete and showcase their projects.
A Soft Launch with Great Potential
This year’s edition of the Asia-Europe Young Cinema Film Festival is being considered a soft launch by artistic director Marco Mueller. The festival aims to learn from the audience reception and the evolving landscape of Macau. With the city undergoing rapid changes, the organizers want to assess the audience’s preferences and expectations to potentially expand and improve future editions of the festival.
The Asia-Europe Young Cinema Film Festival in Macau promises to be an exciting event that brings together young Chinese filmmakers and the international film industry. With a diverse lineup of films, masterclasses by renowned filmmakers, and the Works-in-Progress Lab, the festival provides valuable opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration. As the festival launches its first edition, the organizers are eager to assess the audience’s reaction and use the knowledge gained to enhance future editions of the event.