The 3rd New Art Studies in Filming – Micro Movie Support Program holds a premiere for its five Macao-made micro films at The Londoner Macao Saturday. The program is organised by the Creative Industries Promotion Association of St. Lazarus Church District (CIPA) and sponsored by Sands China.
Organised by the Creative Industries Promotion Association of St. Lazarus Church District (CIPA) and sponsored by Sands China for the third consecutive year, the program aims to broaden development opportunities for Macao’s young filmmakers through funding and training.
Since its launch in 2022, the Micro Movie Support Program has attracted strong interest from aspiring filmmakers and industry practitioners in Macao. More than 400 people have taken part in productions over the years.
The latest edition received 16 script submissions, and after a professional judging process, five teams were selected to receive funding and production support.
Guests of honour and the films’ creative teams attend the premiere of the 3rd New Art Studies in Filming – Micro Movie Support Program for its cohort of five Macao-made micro films at The Londoner Macao Saturday. The program is organised by the Creative Industries Promotion Association of St. Lazarus Church District (CIPA) and sponsored by Sands China.
The five selected films are “Takeaway Nightmare,” directed by Devin Ip; “Reincarnated Station,” directed by Jacky Lao; “Same as the Light,” directed by Achilles Lei; “Rootless Guide,” directed by Leong Hoi Hong; and “Only in the Dream,” directed by Chiang Kun Ieong.
Their themes range from human nature and the digital era to emotional journeys of encounters and farewells, with each production completed after around six months of filming and post-production.
To broaden participants’ exposure, this year’s edition also gave them the opportunity to attend the “International Film Camp 2025”, organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy and supported by Sands China.
The camp connected young filmmakers with professional guidance, industry insight and exchange opportunities with both veteran filmmakers and peers from across Asia.
CIPA President Patrick Wong speaks Saturday at the micro movie premiere of the 3rd New Art Studies in Filming – Micro Movie Support Program at The Londoner Macao.
Patrick Wong, President of the CIPA, said: “Since the establishment of our association, we have been committed to fostering the growth of Macao’s creative industries, creating an incubation platform for art, and uniting Macao’s local cultural and artistic forces. This initiative represents a vital milestone in our commitment to nurturing talent. Our aim is to ignite the ‘cinematic dreams’ of aspiring individuals, empowering passionate youth in Macao to boldly create, express themselves, and tell the story of Macao through micro films. The continuity of the program and the presentation of this showcase would not be possible without the unwavering support of all parties involved.
“We would like to express our gratitude to Sands China for their sponsorship for three consecutive editions, which keeps the initiative on the ground. Their strong backing not only demonstrates their dedication to fostering the development of Macao’s cultural and creative industries and nurturing its young film and art talent, but also provides a valuable platform for film enthusiasts to bring their creative visions to life. Furthermore, we are grateful to the Macao SAR government, various community sectors, and all film and art lovers for their support. Together, we will continue to cultivate a new generation of talent for Macao’s film industry, allowing Macao’s original works to reach greater heights.”
Dr. Wilfred Wong, Executive Vice Chairman of Sands China Ltd., speaks Saturday at the micro movie premiere of the 3rd New Art Studies in Filming – Micro Movie Support Program at The Londoner Macao.
Dr. Wilfred Wong, Executive Vice Chairman of Sands China Ltd., said: “Talent is the core driving force of promoting the sustainable development of the local film industry. Sands China has been providing comprehensive support to Macao’s aspiring young filmmakers through the Micro Movie Support Program. Encompassing professional training, creative resources, and hands-on platforms, the initiative aims to encourage them to showcase Macao’s unique and diverse cultural depth to the world through a fresh lens. We are delighted to see that the program’s participants have created works with a wide range of topics and profound depth, demonstrating the creative power and international vision of a new generation of creators. Since the launch of the program, it has successfully cultivated a new wave of local filmmaking talent, with some of their works earning recognition in micro film competitions in the Chinese mainland, a testament to the program’s encouraging achievements.
“Sands China will continue to promote the development of cultural, art, and film industries in Macao. We look forward to working hand in hand with various sectors to nurture more talent for Macao’s film industry, cultivate a fertile ground for its development, and bring more of Macao’s original stories to a broader stage. This will help amplify Macao’s global cultural presence, thereby consistently promoting the city’s development as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”
Built upon CIPA’s New Art Studies in Filming Program, the Micro Movie Support Program has offered annual practical training since 2011 by inviting professional filmmakers from around the world to serve as instructors.
It has trained approximately 420 individuals and produced more than 45 short films and micro movies. This year, the program also introduced new training modules in film art direction and styling to further strengthen participants’ professional skills.
