Emerging directors pitch projects at third edition of International Film Camp in Macao

The International Film Camp (IFC) has become a springboard for rising Asian talent since its launch by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) in 2024. 

The third edition featured 16 emerging filmmakers, selected from more than 450 applications, who joined a five-day training programme (September 18-22) at Sands China’s integrated resort in Macao. 

“Our IFC aims to encourage the Asian filmmakers of the future, not only through talks and panels, but also through the financing and production support of short films that can announce new voices and new approaches to the cinema of our region,” says AFAA chairman  
Wilfred Wong. “It has always been a founding principle of IFC that we not only discuss and develop creative projects but also help to finance and produce them.” 

In line with this mission, the selected filmmakers were given the opportunity to refine their projects and pitch them to a jury. Eight of them received production funding of $38,000 (hkd300,000) — supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Film Development Fund (FDF) of the Hong Kong SAR Government — to make a short based on this year’s theme, ‘When strangers meet’.  

“This intensive process, from project development to production funding, has made IFC a pioneer in the support infrastructure for emerging filmmakers in Asia,” says producer and film festival executive Roger Garcia, who serves as the camp’s director and mentor. 

An extensive lineup of 30 directors, screenwriters, producers, actors and industry professionals travelled to Macao to share their experience and knowledge with the next generation, including Hong Kong actor/producer Lam Ka Tung, who joined a panel discussion with Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings actress Fala Chen. 

Chen pursued an acting career for nearly a decade in Hong Kong before making the bold decision to step back from the spotlight and spent four years studying drama at The Juilliard School in New York. Bloodline, the latest short she wrote and directed, premiered at Toronto in September. 

“The many incredibly young creators at IFC, especially female directors, have shown tremendous courage by taking that first step right from the beginning,” says Chen, who is this year’s IFC ambassador. “I find that very inspiring, and it makes me feel hopeful about this industry. I may have waited many years myself, but I hope everyone has the courage to pursue their dreams.” 

Further guest speakers included Singapore filmmaker Anthony Chen; Hong Kong directors Anselm Chan, Jack Ng and Sunny Chan; Sabrina Baracetti and Thomas Bertacche from Udine’s Far East Film Festival; and Janet Wu from China Film Foundation — Wu Tianming Film Fund for Young Talents. 

Several previous IFC-winning directors returned, including Lan Tian, Kong Ho Yan, Jane Zhang and Song Dongxu. The latter is developing his feature debut based on his short Ride Your Horse, which was developed and funded through the inaugural IFC in 2024 and went on to screen in competition at both First International Film Festival in Xining, China and Clermont-­Ferrand, France. 

“IFC was a tremendous help,” says Song. “I have received valuable feedback on the script and the editing of my short film. The mentors and friends I met have continued to support me in developing my feature film project.” 

When completed, AFAA will screen the funded shorts as part of its annual touring programmes across Asia and will help filmmakers submit them to international film festivals. 

Prestigious recognition 

Some 50 emerging filmmakers have participated in the three editions of IFC. Previous winners to earn international recognition include Mongolian director Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir, whose short film A South Facing Window played last year at Locarno Film Festival, winning a special mention and the junior jury award, before moving on to screen at Toronto and Busan. 

Tao Okamoto, an IFC alumna from 2024, made history this year as the first person from Japan to win the best actress prize at Cannes, sharing the award with Virginie Efira for their performances in Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s All Of A Sudden. 

IFC enjoys the patronage of Hong Kong’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Macao’s Cultural Affairs Bureau. It is sponsored by Hong Kong’s Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, Hong Kong’s Film Development Fund and Sands China, and supported by Shaw Studios, Tencent Miora and Netshort. 

Contact: info@afa-academy.com 
Find out more: afa-academy.com