The first edition of the International Film Festival & Awards – Macau (IFFAM) expects to bring over 500 participants from the global movie industry, according to Lorna Tee, head of Festival Management during the presentation of festival’s program. The inaugural edition of IFFAM is scheduled to take place at the Cultural Centre and the Science Center from December 8 to December 13 of this year.
The organizers held a press conference on Friday to introduce the IFFAM’s organizing committee and the event’s staff, as well as to outline the current preparation work that is being undertaken.
Tee added that included in the 500 invitees are 100 international film buyers and 250 more highly ranked guests who include directors, celebrities, producers and distributers.
The head of the management of the IFFAM said that the event is also targeting around 20 guests from the major film festivals around the world.
Festival director, Marco Müller opened his speech by saying that the “IFFAM will propose a new odyssey of the eye because a new planetary vision will begin right here in December. We plan to develop, operate and sustain in Macau a strong new event.”
Müller expressed his wishes that this event will “act as a catalyst to develop and solidify the Macau film industry and to bring forth local talents to launch in Greater China and in the international arena.”
The program of IFFAM features various highlights. Aside from the competition in itself, there will be gala events
(five of the most important new movies of the year will be presented in a series of red-carpet presentations); “Hidden Dragons” (six films representing the latest current and style of contemporary Asian genre cinema will be presented); “Best of Fest Panorama” (screening of 8 award-winning feature films from major international film festivals in 2016) and a retrospective called “Crossfire.” The Film Market/Industry Office will be held at the Macau Tower. Master classes will also be organized during the event.
According to the information disclosed on Friday, the competition will present 12 feature films. A jury composed of five film-personalities will appraise and award the ‘Best Film’ prize.
In the opening speech, Macau Government Tourism Office director, Helena de Senna Fernandes, said: “The IFFAM will introduce world-class exchange opportunities and raise Macau’s international profile to a new level.” Senna Fernandes, who is also the president of the Organizing Committee of the IFFAM, added that beside the immediate effects on tourism and culture exchange, the festival would also produce “a long-term benefit for the sustainable development of the tourism industry and the creative industry in Macau,” concluding by arguing that this festival is the proof that the government, NGOs and private companies are engaging in a concerted effort to enhance tourism in Macau.
The president of Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association (MFTPA), Alvin Chau, added that the event “will mainly invite original film works that are relatively more popular in the market with the aim to make IFFAM into one of the major international events and marketplaces in Asia.”
During the press conference a cooperation agreement between IFFAM and the MFTPA was also signed, witnessed by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam.
(Macau News / Macau Daily Times)
