It is the first of its kind in Macau, and few in the world have the reach that the International Film Camp set out to achieve. Under the theme “My Hometown,” 550 filmmakers from Asia submitted scripts, hoping to be part of a restricted batch of 16 who, for five days, were hosted in Macao at Sands China’s resorts to learn from some of the industry’s best. In the end, 8 projects were selected to put theory into practice.
Grant Chum, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Sands China Ltd.: “Exceptional film talent from various Asian regions converged in the city, providing guidance and inspiration for the future leaders of the film industry”
“The International Film Camp is the result of an unprecedented collaboration between Hong Kong and Macao, marking a significant milestone for the development of Macao’s film industry,” says Grant Chum, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Sands China Ltd. “Exceptional film talent from various Asian regions have converged in Macau, providing guidance and inspiration for the future leaders of the film industry,” he adds, also highlighting the positive impact of these professionals’ contact with the city. “Sands China is honored to be a collaborating partner in this event. Our commitment to nurturing film talent remains unwavering as we strive to uplift the film industry in Macao and across Asia.
Roger Garcia, International Film Camp Advisor: “Like a good film, the International Film Camp has a beginning, middle, and end.”
Roger Garcia, award-winning filmmaker, and advisor to AFAA and IFC, points out that “like a good film, the International Film Camp has a beginning, middle and end.” This initiative not only aims to provide young talents the necessary knowledge for a good production but also seeks to answer questions about the promotion of their works, namely “how the selection works at festivals and what the sales agents do”, Garcia adds. Expecting five “intensive” days, the advisor promised individual sessions with mentors, so that the young filmmakers could “rewrite the scripts to make their projects the best they could be”.
Dr. Wilfred Wong, Chairman of the AFAA: “This is the first International Film Camp. If it works, there will be a second and a third.”
Ambassadors of art and time
Dr. Wilfred Wong, Chairman of the AFAA, also emphasized the importance of this initiative for the role that Sands China wants to play in fostering local and Asian talent. “The governments of Hong Kong and Macao both have the ambition to promote the development of the film industry. When Sands China was granted its new concession, which began last year, the company as a gaming operator committed to developing a series of socially responsibile actions, and supporting the local and regional development of cinema is one of them,” he said at the IFC opening ceremony.
On the other hand, Dr. Wilfred Wong highlighted what sets the International Film Camp apart from the rest: “Unlike many film labs and workshops, we do not stop at developing a project, which then has to find funding. We are providing funding. And once the film is made, we will help with festival strategy and inclusion,” he said.
“The development of Asian cinema, the development of Hong Kong and Macao, the sponsorship of Sands China, everything is gathered here,” he said, leaving room for the program’s continuity in the coming years. “This is the first International Film Camp. If it works, there will be a second and a third.”
Win-win situation
It is a winning bet for the 16 young filmmakers who secured their presence in Macau. Not everyone has access or the opportunity to learn from respected professionals in the film industry. Everyone participated in panel discussions and masterclasses that covered various aspects of the industry such as directing, scriptwriting, editing, production, financing, distribution, and more. In other words, even the eight participants who were not selected in the end leave Macau with important knowledge to better understand the industry.
For the eight selected short films, a production grant of HKD 300,000, or about USD 38,000, was awarded to provide each of them with the necessary means for production. A panel was chaired by the veteran film producer Terence Chang, whose successful career has spanned the film industries of Hong Kong, Hollywood, and Mainland China.
The support does not end there. The International Film Camp also aims to help the projects reach a wider audience. The Asian Film Awards Academy will create feature films based on the short films produced during the IFC and present them in their prestigious annual Asian Cinerama tour program. Additionally, they will assist filmmakers in submitting their short films to relevant film festivals, expanding their reach and exposure in the industry.
Selection process
The International Film Camp was open to individuals aged 21 to 40 from Hong Kong, Macau, Greater China, and the rest of Asia. To be selected, candidates had to submit a script for a short film, a director’s statement, and a production plan, along with a five-minute sample of previous work or works. Out of the 550 applications received, 30 were pre-selected for online interviews conducted by a distinguished panel of industry experts. In the end, 16 filmmakers were chosen to participate in the International Film Camp.
