New Hong Kong-based production company and filmfund, Irresistible Films, has announced its management team, including managing director Nansun Shi and general manager Lorna Tee.

In addition, the company has appointed Jannie Wai as production co-ordinator. The appointments were announced by Irresistible Films director Buddy Marini, representing Japan's Avex Entertainment.

The experienced team of producers will manage the operations, investment and supervise the productions of the company. Shi has credits including Infernal Affairs, Seven Swords and Dragon Tiger Gate while Tee previously managed the regional Focus: First Cuts project.

Established by Avex and Hong Kong-based producer Bill Kong and investment banker Hugh Simon, Irresistible Films aims to invest in four to six Asian films a year, with budgets ranging between $1m to $3m,directed by new filmmakers making their first, second or third films.

It has already given the greenlight to two projects - Claustrophobia, the directorial debut of acclaimed scriptwriter Ivy Ho, and Strawberry Cliff by Fearless scriptwriter Chris Chow. Claustrophobia has recently been selected as a competition entry for the upcoming Tokyo International Film Festival.

'Irresistible Films is an exciting new venture for me as a producer and having worked during the New Wave of Hong Kong cinema in the 1980's, we hope that we can work with the talents from all across Asia to create a new generation of filmmakers who will be able to capture the hearts and imagination of the audiences,' said Shi speaking at the Asian Film Market held in conjunction with the Pusan International Film Festival.

International sales of the films produced by Irresistible Films will be represented by Distribution Workshop, with the exception of Claustrophobia and Strawberry Cliff which will be represented by Bill Kong's Edko Films.

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