Happy Ever Aftrs
Rachel Perkins has been appointed as chair of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (Aftrs) council for a period of three years. She follows previous chairs Russell Howcroft and Debra Richards. Aftrs is Australia’s leading specialist education, training and research institution, supporting excellence in Australian screen and audio storytelling.
“Rachel is one of Australia’s leading storytellers, particularly when it comes to First Nations stories,” said Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke.
A graduate of Aftrs, writer, director and producer, Perkins founded Blackfella Films, which has gone onto become one of Australia’s leading production companies. Its recent documentary series “The Australian Wars” won most outstanding factual or documentary program at the 2023 TV Week Logie Awards, as well as best documentary or factual program and best direction in nonfiction television at the 2024 Aacta awards.
Wide Screen Wider
Indian movie exhibition chain Miraj Cinemas has agreed...
Rachel Perkins has been appointed as chair of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (Aftrs) council for a period of three years. She follows previous chairs Russell Howcroft and Debra Richards. Aftrs is Australia’s leading specialist education, training and research institution, supporting excellence in Australian screen and audio storytelling.
“Rachel is one of Australia’s leading storytellers, particularly when it comes to First Nations stories,” said Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke.
A graduate of Aftrs, writer, director and producer, Perkins founded Blackfella Films, which has gone onto become one of Australia’s leading production companies. Its recent documentary series “The Australian Wars” won most outstanding factual or documentary program at the 2023 TV Week Logie Awards, as well as best documentary or factual program and best direction in nonfiction television at the 2024 Aacta awards.
Wide Screen Wider
Indian movie exhibition chain Miraj Cinemas has agreed...
- 4/11/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The inaugural Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival (Hiff) in Vietnam has unveiled its line-up of about 100 films, including 12 each for the Southeast Asia competition and for the first or second film competition, with directors Anne Fontaine and Hirokazu Kore-eda among its guests.
Scroll down for line-up
The Asian premiere of French biopic Bolero will open the festival on April 6. Director Fontaine and leading actor Raphaël Personnaz will be present for the film’s Asian premiere, which will take place at the city’s historic Opera House.
Further notable festival guests include acclaimed Japanese director Kore-eda who will receive...
Scroll down for line-up
The Asian premiere of French biopic Bolero will open the festival on April 6. Director Fontaine and leading actor Raphaël Personnaz will be present for the film’s Asian premiere, which will take place at the city’s historic Opera House.
Further notable festival guests include acclaimed Japanese director Kore-eda who will receive...
- 3/21/2024
- ScreenDaily
A new funding initiative is being launched at this year’s Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (Filmart) that leans on the commercial nous of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to help guide the fortunes of emerging Chinese-language filmmakers.
Labeled the Hkiff Industry-caa China Genre Initiative, or Hcc, this collaboration between the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (Hkiffs) and CAA China supplies funds to “support and facilitate the growth and progress of Chinese-language genre projects.”
“Project markets were a European invention that were transplanted to this part of the world, Asia, where there wasn’t a tradition of subsidies,” explains Jacob Wong, the Hkiff’s industry director. “They were traditionally focused on arthouse films but here in Hong Kong we are more open to adapting to the business environment and that’s why we are keen to work with corporate or private entities.”
Hcc comes with two $20,000 prizes, and...
Labeled the Hkiff Industry-caa China Genre Initiative, or Hcc, this collaboration between the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (Hkiffs) and CAA China supplies funds to “support and facilitate the growth and progress of Chinese-language genre projects.”
“Project markets were a European invention that were transplanted to this part of the world, Asia, where there wasn’t a tradition of subsidies,” explains Jacob Wong, the Hkiff’s industry director. “They were traditionally focused on arthouse films but here in Hong Kong we are more open to adapting to the business environment and that’s why we are keen to work with corporate or private entities.”
Hcc comes with two $20,000 prizes, and...
- 3/10/2024
- by Mathew Scott
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Honorary Golden Cyclo (offered by the Agglomeration Community and the city of Vesoul): to Zero Chou director (Taiwan) et à Tu Du-chih, sound engineer (Taiwan).
Cyclo D'Or (offered by the Regional Council of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté), International Jury: President: Mohsen Makhmalbaf, director (Iran), members: Zero Chou, director (Taiwan), Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, actress (Iran), Shogen, actor (Japon).
The Snow Leopard de Pema Tseden (Chine-Tibet) –Through the mysterious relationship between the monk and the snow leopard, the traditional worldview of the Tibetan people is revealed – a realm of spiritual emotion that is challenging to express. The director skillfully captures this enchanting world with great precision, making it a remarkable and profoundly moving achievement.
Film interprets the conflicts of the human world through a spiritual lens, this work is a truly rare gem!
Grand Jury Award:
Film Review: Scream (2023) by Kenzhebek Shaikakov
Scream by Kenzhebek Shaikakov (Kazakhstan). The film has magical realism style that truly commendable,...
Cyclo D'Or (offered by the Regional Council of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté), International Jury: President: Mohsen Makhmalbaf, director (Iran), members: Zero Chou, director (Taiwan), Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, actress (Iran), Shogen, actor (Japon).
The Snow Leopard de Pema Tseden (Chine-Tibet) –Through the mysterious relationship between the monk and the snow leopard, the traditional worldview of the Tibetan people is revealed – a realm of spiritual emotion that is challenging to express. The director skillfully captures this enchanting world with great precision, making it a remarkable and profoundly moving achievement.
Film interprets the conflicts of the human world through a spiritual lens, this work is a truly rare gem!
Grand Jury Award:
Film Review: Scream (2023) by Kenzhebek Shaikakov
Scream by Kenzhebek Shaikakov (Kazakhstan). The film has magical realism style that truly commendable,...
- 2/14/2024
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
The late Pema Tseden’s “Snow Leopard” (China) won the top prize, the Golden Cyclo, at the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema on Tuesday.
The film, which previously won awards at the Tokyo and Hainan festivals, also won Vesoul’s National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (Inalco) jury prize and actor Tseten Tashi scored a jury special mention. Pema Tseden (aka Wanmacaidan) died in May last year, age 53.
The grand jury award went to Kenzhebek Shaikakov’s “Scream” (Kazakhstan), which also won the Netpac award and the Mark Haaz award. “Scream” actors Orynbek Shaimaganbetov and Arnur Akram were accorded a jury prize special mention. The film shared the Mark Haaz award with Rajesh Jala’s “The Spark” (India), which also had a special mention at the film critics’ award.
“Solids by The Seashore” by Patiparn Boontarig (Thailand) won the jury prize and also the Inalco favorite award.
The film, which previously won awards at the Tokyo and Hainan festivals, also won Vesoul’s National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (Inalco) jury prize and actor Tseten Tashi scored a jury special mention. Pema Tseden (aka Wanmacaidan) died in May last year, age 53.
The grand jury award went to Kenzhebek Shaikakov’s “Scream” (Kazakhstan), which also won the Netpac award and the Mark Haaz award. “Scream” actors Orynbek Shaimaganbetov and Arnur Akram were accorded a jury prize special mention. The film shared the Mark Haaz award with Rajesh Jala’s “The Spark” (India), which also had a special mention at the film critics’ award.
“Solids by The Seashore” by Patiparn Boontarig (Thailand) won the jury prize and also the Inalco favorite award.
- 2/14/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The BFI Flare: London Lgbtqia+ Film Festival has revealed the line-up for its 38th edition which takes place March 13-24.
The programme comprises 57 features across the Hearts, Bodies and Mind strands, four of which are world premieres.
Scroll down for full line-up
World premiering is Karen Knox’s sophomore feature We Forgot To Break Up about a trans musician caught in a love triangle with his bandmates. The Canadian actress and filmmaker’s debut Adult Adoption premiered at Glasgow Film Festival in 2022.
Other world premieres are Kat Rohrer’s Austrian romantic comedy What A Feeling about two women who meet...
The programme comprises 57 features across the Hearts, Bodies and Mind strands, four of which are world premieres.
Scroll down for full line-up
World premiering is Karen Knox’s sophomore feature We Forgot To Break Up about a trans musician caught in a love triangle with his bandmates. The Canadian actress and filmmaker’s debut Adult Adoption premiered at Glasgow Film Festival in 2022.
Other world premieres are Kat Rohrer’s Austrian romantic comedy What A Feeling about two women who meet...
- 2/13/2024
- ScreenDaily
The East Asia Film Festival Ireland (Eaffi) and the Irish Film Institute (Ifi) are delighted to announce the programme for the eighth edition of the festival, which will take place this year from Thursday, March 7th to Sunday, March 10th, bringing works from prominent and
emerging writers and directors from diverse cultural and social backgrounds across East Asian cinema to audiences in Ireland. These films reflect on individual and communal experiences, and observe and explore life and relationships in an eclectic mix of fiction, documentary, and classic titles. At the programme's centre is a season of rare screenings by auteur filmmaker Edward Yang (1947–2007) – four masterworks from one of the most iconic figures, alongside Hou Hsiao-Hsien, of the Taiwanese New Wave film movement of the early 1980s.
Each of the four special screenings will be introduced by Taiwanese film producer Chuti Chang. They will be:
A Confucian Confusion , which charts the...
emerging writers and directors from diverse cultural and social backgrounds across East Asian cinema to audiences in Ireland. These films reflect on individual and communal experiences, and observe and explore life and relationships in an eclectic mix of fiction, documentary, and classic titles. At the programme's centre is a season of rare screenings by auteur filmmaker Edward Yang (1947–2007) – four masterworks from one of the most iconic figures, alongside Hou Hsiao-Hsien, of the Taiwanese New Wave film movement of the early 1980s.
Each of the four special screenings will be introduced by Taiwanese film producer Chuti Chang. They will be:
A Confucian Confusion , which charts the...
- 2/11/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Patiparn Boontarig studied film and photography at Thammasat University in Thailand and completed the Asian Film Academy at the Busan International Film Festival. He was also assistant director to Phuttiphong Aroonpheng's “Manta Ray” and Jakrawal Nilthamrong's “Anatomy of Time”. His feature debut wears its director's experience on its sleeve, in a genuine art-house film that deals with LGBT issues within a patriarchal system, and won LG Oled New Currents Award & Netpac Award in Busan.
Solids by the Seashore is screening at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema
The story takes place in a Thai town in the South, where a once sandy beach has eroded by high tides and is now replaced by artificial rock sea walls. Fon, an activist who is also a visual artist, arrives into town to record the changing landscape for her new art exhibition. While there, she meets Shati, a local Muslim woman from a conservative family,...
Solids by the Seashore is screening at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema
The story takes place in a Thai town in the South, where a once sandy beach has eroded by high tides and is now replaced by artificial rock sea walls. Fon, an activist who is also a visual artist, arrives into town to record the changing landscape for her new art exhibition. While there, she meets Shati, a local Muslim woman from a conservative family,...
- 2/11/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Thai drama Solids By The Seashore has been acquired by Japanese distributor Foggy Cinema from Bangkok-based sales agent Diversion.
The film, which won the Netpac Award and LG Oled New Currents Award at Busan in October, will receive its Japanese premiere in competition at the Osaka Asian Film Festival on March 7. It marks the first time Foggy Cinema has picked up a film for distribution from Thailand and a theatrical release is being planned for late 2024.
Thai director Patiparn Boontarig’s debut feature set in a southern town in Thailand on the verge of an environmental crisis and revolves around...
The film, which won the Netpac Award and LG Oled New Currents Award at Busan in October, will receive its Japanese premiere in competition at the Osaka Asian Film Festival on March 7. It marks the first time Foggy Cinema has picked up a film for distribution from Thailand and a theatrical release is being planned for late 2024.
Thai director Patiparn Boontarig’s debut feature set in a southern town in Thailand on the verge of an environmental crisis and revolves around...
- 2/5/2024
- ScreenDaily
Taiwan and India in the spotlight at the 30th Vesoul Iff of Asian Cinema
The 30th Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema will feature 92 films, including 52 never-before-seen films from 29 countries, under the banner of commitment!
Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Iranian director with 60 international awards to his credit, is President of the Jury. Other members include Taiwanese director Zero Chou, winner of the Golden Bear at Berlin 2007, Fatemed Motamed-Arya, the most awarded Iranian actress in the history of Iranian cinema, and Japanese actor Shogen, cinema ambassador at the Sea-Okinawa Pan-Pacific International Film Festival.
The 17 films in the fiction and documentary competitions come from China, Korea, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal and Taiwan. Four are French premieres, six European premieres, five international premieres and two world premieres.
Feature Film Competition :
China: All Ears by Liu Jiayin – China (Tibet): The Snow Leopard by Pema Tseden – Korea: Work to...
The 30th Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema will feature 92 films, including 52 never-before-seen films from 29 countries, under the banner of commitment!
Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Iranian director with 60 international awards to his credit, is President of the Jury. Other members include Taiwanese director Zero Chou, winner of the Golden Bear at Berlin 2007, Fatemed Motamed-Arya, the most awarded Iranian actress in the history of Iranian cinema, and Japanese actor Shogen, cinema ambassador at the Sea-Okinawa Pan-Pacific International Film Festival.
The 17 films in the fiction and documentary competitions come from China, Korea, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal and Taiwan. Four are French premieres, six European premieres, five international premieres and two world premieres.
Feature Film Competition :
China: All Ears by Liu Jiayin – China (Tibet): The Snow Leopard by Pema Tseden – Korea: Work to...
- 2/1/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Blackbird Lands In Osaka
The Osaka Asian Film Festival has added eight more titles to its line-up, including the award-winning Georgian drama “Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry,” which will play in competition.
Elene Naveriani’s “Blackbird,” about a middle-aged woman’s relationship decision, has had wide festival play in Europe and earned multiple prizes for lead actor Eka Chavleishvili.
Other additions are Cambodian directing duo Inrasothythep Neth and Sokyou Chea’s “Tenement”; the world premiere of Hong Kong director Ricky Ko’s “Out of the Shadow”; “Supposed,” by Thanakorn Pongsuwan and “Death Whisperer,” by Taweewat Wantha, which expand the festival’s selection of Thai films to eight; and “The Winter of 1905,” a 1981 film by Hong Kong director Yu Wei-Cheng, which joins the Taiwan: Movies on the Move 2024 special section.
Other revival inclusions are: the 4K restored director’s cut of Patrick Tam’s 1982 Hong Kong movie “Nomad” and “240 Hours in One Day,...
The Osaka Asian Film Festival has added eight more titles to its line-up, including the award-winning Georgian drama “Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry,” which will play in competition.
Elene Naveriani’s “Blackbird,” about a middle-aged woman’s relationship decision, has had wide festival play in Europe and earned multiple prizes for lead actor Eka Chavleishvili.
Other additions are Cambodian directing duo Inrasothythep Neth and Sokyou Chea’s “Tenement”; the world premiere of Hong Kong director Ricky Ko’s “Out of the Shadow”; “Supposed,” by Thanakorn Pongsuwan and “Death Whisperer,” by Taweewat Wantha, which expand the festival’s selection of Thai films to eight; and “The Winter of 1905,” a 1981 film by Hong Kong director Yu Wei-Cheng, which joins the Taiwan: Movies on the Move 2024 special section.
Other revival inclusions are: the 4K restored director’s cut of Patrick Tam’s 1982 Hong Kong movie “Nomad” and “240 Hours in One Day,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Three Japanese films enjoying their world premieres, along with festival favorites “City of Wind” and “Solids by the Seashore,” are set to appear in the 13-title competition section of the Osaka Asian Film Festival in March.
The event will be held March 1-10 at venues including ABC Hall, Cine Libre Umeda, T-Joy Umeda and the Nakanoshima Museum of Art. The opening and closing films will be announced in early February.
The 19th edition of the festival, which will eventually contain 55 feature and short films, is set to also include three special programs – a “Thai Cinema Kaleidoscope,” “Taiwan: Movies on the Move,” and “Special Focus on Hong Kong” – as well as its regular Spotlight Section on underrated Asian films and the Indie Forum of more challenging and innovative works.
The competition titles are: “City of Wind,” by Mongolia’s Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir; “Fire on Water,” by Malaysia’s Sun-j Perumal; “Hyphen,” by...
The event will be held March 1-10 at venues including ABC Hall, Cine Libre Umeda, T-Joy Umeda and the Nakanoshima Museum of Art. The opening and closing films will be announced in early February.
The 19th edition of the festival, which will eventually contain 55 feature and short films, is set to also include three special programs – a “Thai Cinema Kaleidoscope,” “Taiwan: Movies on the Move,” and “Special Focus on Hong Kong” – as well as its regular Spotlight Section on underrated Asian films and the Indie Forum of more challenging and innovative works.
The competition titles are: “City of Wind,” by Mongolia’s Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir; “Fire on Water,” by Malaysia’s Sun-j Perumal; “Hyphen,” by...
- 1/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (Hkiffs) has unveiled 26 in-development projects for the 22nd Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (Haf), which will become part of the newly expanded Hkiff Industry Project Market.
The lineup features both veteran and rising filmmakers including Koji Fukada, Hong Khaou, Jang Kun-jae, Qiu Jiongjiong, Patiparn Boontarig, Wang Xiaoshuai, Teruhisa Yamamoto, and Zhang Lu. The projects cover comedy, horror, action, romance and family drama, including seven first features, two animations and a string of cross-country collaborations.
Scroll down for full list of projects
“The selection is a testament to the resurgence of diversity and the revitalisation of international collaborations,...
The lineup features both veteran and rising filmmakers including Koji Fukada, Hong Khaou, Jang Kun-jae, Qiu Jiongjiong, Patiparn Boontarig, Wang Xiaoshuai, Teruhisa Yamamoto, and Zhang Lu. The projects cover comedy, horror, action, romance and family drama, including seven first features, two animations and a string of cross-country collaborations.
Scroll down for full list of projects
“The selection is a testament to the resurgence of diversity and the revitalisation of international collaborations,...
- 1/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
Leading Asian film directors including Josh Kim, Fukada Koji and Patiparn Boontarig line up to pitch their in-development projects at the March edition of the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (Haf).
Leading directors Wang Xiaoshuai and Zhang Lu will also be on the ground at Haf, operating as producers. So too will established producers Yamamoto Teruhisa (“Drive My Car”) and Michael J. Werner.
The 22nd edition of the Haf project market will run March 11-13 and sit alongside the four-day FilMart (March 11-14) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Haf is operated by The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and this year will showcase 26 in-development projects. This year it will also be accompanied by the first edition of the Hkiff Industry – CAA China Genre Initiative (Hcg), which aims to support the development of Chinese language genre films.
Among the highlights: Wang Xiaoshuai will produce Zhang Yushan...
Leading directors Wang Xiaoshuai and Zhang Lu will also be on the ground at Haf, operating as producers. So too will established producers Yamamoto Teruhisa (“Drive My Car”) and Michael J. Werner.
The 22nd edition of the Haf project market will run March 11-13 and sit alongside the four-day FilMart (March 11-14) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Haf is operated by The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and this year will showcase 26 in-development projects. This year it will also be accompanied by the first edition of the Hkiff Industry – CAA China Genre Initiative (Hcg), which aims to support the development of Chinese language genre films.
Among the highlights: Wang Xiaoshuai will produce Zhang Yushan...
- 1/18/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Patiparn Boontarig studied film and photography at Thammasat University in Thailand and completed the Asian Film Academy at the Busan International Film Festival. He was also assistant director to Phuttiphong Aroonpheng's “Manta Ray” and Jakrawal Nilthamrong's “Anatomy of Time”. His feature debut wears its director's experience on its sleeve, in a genuine art-house film that deals with LGBT issues within a patriarchal system, and won LG Oled New Currents Award & Netpac Award in Busan.
Solids by the Seashore is screening at Qcinema
The story takes place in a Thai town in the South, where a once sandy beach has eroded by high tides and is now replaced by artificial rock sea walls. Fon, an activist who is also a visual artist, arrives into town to record the changing landscape for her new art exhibition. While there, she meets Shati, a local Muslim woman from a conservative family, whose...
Solids by the Seashore is screening at Qcinema
The story takes place in a Thai town in the South, where a once sandy beach has eroded by high tides and is now replaced by artificial rock sea walls. Fon, an activist who is also a visual artist, arrives into town to record the changing landscape for her new art exhibition. While there, she meets Shati, a local Muslim woman from a conservative family, whose...
- 11/25/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The drama is the latest feature of Sheron Dayoc, known for ‘Ways Of the Sea’ and ‘Women Of The Weeping River’.
Mai Meksawan’s Thailand-based sales agent Diversion has picked up international sales rights to Sheron Dayoc’s The Gospel Of The Beast, which is set to premiere in competition at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
It marks the first feature in seven years from Filipino filmmaker Dayoc, whose titles include Way Of The Sea, which received a special mention at the Berlinale in 2011; The Crescent Rising, winner of best documentary at Busan 2016; and Sundance-backed Women Of The Weeping River.
Mai Meksawan’s Thailand-based sales agent Diversion has picked up international sales rights to Sheron Dayoc’s The Gospel Of The Beast, which is set to premiere in competition at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
It marks the first feature in seven years from Filipino filmmaker Dayoc, whose titles include Way Of The Sea, which received a special mention at the Berlinale in 2011; The Crescent Rising, winner of best documentary at Busan 2016; and Sundance-backed Women Of The Weeping River.
- 10/20/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
The Wrestler, directed by Bangladeshi-Canadian filmmaker Iqbal H. Chowdhury, and September 1923, from Japan’s Tatsuya Mori, picked up the New Currents Awards as Busan International Film Festival wrapped a busy 28th edition on October 13.
Chowdhury’s film tells the story of an eccentric fisherman who learns a traditional form of wrestling to take on the village champion, while September 1923, the debut fiction film of documentary filmmaker Mori, revolves around the massacre that took place after the Great Kanto earthquake 100 years ago.
The Kim Jiseok Award, presented to films in Busan’s Jiseok section, went to Sri Lankan director Prasanna Vithanage’s Paradise, about an Indian couple facing problems in their marriage during a trip to Sri Lanka, and Mirlan Abdykalykov’s Bride Kidnapping, about the widespread practice of forcing women into marriage in Kyrgyzstan.
Busan also launched two new awards, the LG Oled New Currents & Vision Awards, presented to films...
Chowdhury’s film tells the story of an eccentric fisherman who learns a traditional form of wrestling to take on the village champion, while September 1923, the debut fiction film of documentary filmmaker Mori, revolves around the massacre that took place after the Great Kanto earthquake 100 years ago.
The Kim Jiseok Award, presented to films in Busan’s Jiseok section, went to Sri Lankan director Prasanna Vithanage’s Paradise, about an Indian couple facing problems in their marriage during a trip to Sri Lanka, and Mirlan Abdykalykov’s Bride Kidnapping, about the widespread practice of forcing women into marriage in Kyrgyzstan.
Busan also launched two new awards, the LG Oled New Currents & Vision Awards, presented to films...
- 10/14/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
The Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents and Film Market wrapped up its 2023 edition with record attendance from over 2,479 industry representatives, according to organizers.
Despite industry-wide headwinds, attendees from sales and licensing companies, buyers, producers and investors gathered in Busan in an expanded exhibition hall at Bexco, the main venue, to trade content ranging from films and videos to such intellectual property (IP) as novels and digital comics.
“Given the slow film market globally, I think many were eager to find new business opportunities and share information about the state of the market,” said Hyung-rae Kim, the festival representative. “There were a lot of visitors from Indonesia this year. The exhibition hall was packed. Overall, it went smoothly. We’re hoping to connect with other markets in Europe next year and set up new programs.”
The newly established Networking Lounge provided various networking opportunities, including the AFCNet Networking Reception,...
Despite industry-wide headwinds, attendees from sales and licensing companies, buyers, producers and investors gathered in Busan in an expanded exhibition hall at Bexco, the main venue, to trade content ranging from films and videos to such intellectual property (IP) as novels and digital comics.
“Given the slow film market globally, I think many were eager to find new business opportunities and share information about the state of the market,” said Hyung-rae Kim, the festival representative. “There were a lot of visitors from Indonesia this year. The exhibition hall was packed. Overall, it went smoothly. We’re hoping to connect with other markets in Europe next year and set up new programs.”
The newly established Networking Lounge provided various networking opportunities, including the AFCNet Networking Reception,...
- 10/13/2023
- by Soomee Park
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘The Berefts’ also picked up multiple prizes.
Thailand’s Solids By The Seashore and Korean family drama House Of The Seasons have won the first tranche of prizes at Busan International Film Festival.
The Busan Vision Awards, which recognises rising independent filmmakers, saw Patiparn Boontarig’s Solids By The Seashore win the Netpac Award and LG Oled New Currents Award. The latter prize includes a cash grant of $22,300 (KRW30m).
The film, which plays in Biff’s main New Currents competition, is the feature directorial debut of Thai filmmaker Patiparn, who previously worked as first assistant director on Phuttiphong Aroonpheng’s Manta Ray,...
Thailand’s Solids By The Seashore and Korean family drama House Of The Seasons have won the first tranche of prizes at Busan International Film Festival.
The Busan Vision Awards, which recognises rising independent filmmakers, saw Patiparn Boontarig’s Solids By The Seashore win the Netpac Award and LG Oled New Currents Award. The latter prize includes a cash grant of $22,300 (KRW30m).
The film, which plays in Biff’s main New Currents competition, is the feature directorial debut of Thai filmmaker Patiparn, who previously worked as first assistant director on Phuttiphong Aroonpheng’s Manta Ray,...
- 10/12/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
“Solids by the Seashore,” “The Berefts” and “House of the Seasons” were all multiple winners of the Vision Awards at the Busan International Film Festival on Thursday evening.
Another winner was “Yellow Door: ’90s Lo-fi Film Club,” a documentary celebrating Korea’s early cinephiles, who include “Parasite” director Bong Joon-ho.
The Vision Awards precede the main New Currents Competition and the Jiseok Competition prizes which will be presented on Friday at the festival’s closing ceremony.
Busan 2023 Vision Awards
Fipresci Award
“That Summer’s Lie” Dir. Sohn Hyun-lok.
Netpac Award
“Solids by the Seashore” Dir. Patiparn Boontarig.
LG Oled New Currents Award
“Solids by the Seashore” Dir. Patiparn Boontarig.
LG Oled Vision Award
“The Berefts” Dir. Jeong Beom, Hur Jang.
Dgk Plus M Award (joint winners)
“Work to Do” Dir. Park Hong-jun,
“Isle of Snakes” Dir. Kim Eu-min.
Cgv Award
“Concerning My Daughter” Dir. Lee Mirang.
Kbs Independent Film Award
“House of the Seasons” Dir.
Another winner was “Yellow Door: ’90s Lo-fi Film Club,” a documentary celebrating Korea’s early cinephiles, who include “Parasite” director Bong Joon-ho.
The Vision Awards precede the main New Currents Competition and the Jiseok Competition prizes which will be presented on Friday at the festival’s closing ceremony.
Busan 2023 Vision Awards
Fipresci Award
“That Summer’s Lie” Dir. Sohn Hyun-lok.
Netpac Award
“Solids by the Seashore” Dir. Patiparn Boontarig.
LG Oled New Currents Award
“Solids by the Seashore” Dir. Patiparn Boontarig.
LG Oled Vision Award
“The Berefts” Dir. Jeong Beom, Hur Jang.
Dgk Plus M Award (joint winners)
“Work to Do” Dir. Park Hong-jun,
“Isle of Snakes” Dir. Kim Eu-min.
Cgv Award
“Concerning My Daughter” Dir. Lee Mirang.
Kbs Independent Film Award
“House of the Seasons” Dir.
- 10/12/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Gateway for Emerging Asian Directors with Profound Potential
New Currents Announces 10 Selections!
New Currents, a main competition section at the Busan International Film Festival, showcases first or second features by up-and-coming Asian filmmakers. This year, a selection of 10 films by emerging directors from diverse countries—encompassing Korea, Japan, Bangladesh, and India—will vie for the New Currents Award, with the top two feature films earning this prestigious recognition.
Mori Tatsuya — September 1923 (2023)
Yamamoto Akira — After the Fever (2023)
New Currents showcases 2 Japanese films. September 1923 (2023) is based on the historical Great Kantō earthquake of 1923, which resulted in numerous Korean casualties. This film marks the notable feature debut of Mori Tatsuya, formerly recognized for creating documentaries that shed light on various societal issues within Japan.
After the Fever (2023) directed by Yamamoto Akira, delves deep into the intricacies of intense emotional states experienced during profound love, presenting them in a striking manner. The film captivates the audience with its dynamic,...
New Currents Announces 10 Selections!
New Currents, a main competition section at the Busan International Film Festival, showcases first or second features by up-and-coming Asian filmmakers. This year, a selection of 10 films by emerging directors from diverse countries—encompassing Korea, Japan, Bangladesh, and India—will vie for the New Currents Award, with the top two feature films earning this prestigious recognition.
Mori Tatsuya — September 1923 (2023)
Yamamoto Akira — After the Fever (2023)
New Currents showcases 2 Japanese films. September 1923 (2023) is based on the historical Great Kantō earthquake of 1923, which resulted in numerous Korean casualties. This film marks the notable feature debut of Mori Tatsuya, formerly recognized for creating documentaries that shed light on various societal issues within Japan.
After the Fever (2023) directed by Yamamoto Akira, delves deep into the intricacies of intense emotional states experienced during profound love, presenting them in a striking manner. The film captivates the audience with its dynamic,...
- 9/2/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Korea’s Busan International Film Festival has announced the ten films in this year’s New Currents competition line-up, along with ten films selected for its Jiseok Section. Both competition sections feature titles from Bangladesh’s vibrant young industry as well as from Japan.
New Currents, a section for first and second films by up-and-coming Asian filmmakers, features two films from Bangladesh – Biplob Sarkar’s The Stranger and Iqbal H. Chowdhury’s The Wrestler – which the festival noted showcase “the momentum of Bangladeshi cinema”.
The Stranger is described as a coming-of-age story navigating the journey of a family in which the young son grapples with questions about his gender identity. The Wrestler, a co-production between Bangladesh and Canada, tells the story of an elderly man from a fishing village who challenges a wrestling champion to combat.
Two Japanese titles have also been selected for New Currents – September 1923, about the Great...
New Currents, a section for first and second films by up-and-coming Asian filmmakers, features two films from Bangladesh – Biplob Sarkar’s The Stranger and Iqbal H. Chowdhury’s The Wrestler – which the festival noted showcase “the momentum of Bangladeshi cinema”.
The Stranger is described as a coming-of-age story navigating the journey of a family in which the young son grapples with questions about his gender identity. The Wrestler, a co-production between Bangladesh and Canada, tells the story of an elderly man from a fishing village who challenges a wrestling champion to combat.
Two Japanese titles have also been selected for New Currents – September 1923, about the Great...
- 8/30/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
The New Currents and Jiseok selections include features from Japan, China, South Korea and Bangladesh among others.
The 28th Busan International Film Festival has revealed the titles selected for its New Currents and Jiseok strands, the festival’s competitive sections for Asian films.
Scroll down for full list
New Currents is for films by directors making their first or second works of fiction and comprises 10 titles from Japan, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, India and Bangladesh.
They include September 1923, which marks the fiction feature debut of Japanese director Tatsuya Mori and centres on the Great Kantō earthquake of 1923. Mori is known as a documentary filmmaker,...
The 28th Busan International Film Festival has revealed the titles selected for its New Currents and Jiseok strands, the festival’s competitive sections for Asian films.
Scroll down for full list
New Currents is for films by directors making their first or second works of fiction and comprises 10 titles from Japan, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, India and Bangladesh.
They include September 1923, which marks the fiction feature debut of Japanese director Tatsuya Mori and centres on the Great Kantō earthquake of 1923. Mori is known as a documentary filmmaker,...
- 8/30/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Titles include ‘Solids By The Seashore’ and ‘Oasis Of Now’.
Bangkok-based Diversion has launched sales of Patiparn Boontarig’s Solids By The Seashore and Chia Chee Sum’s Oasis Of Now, ahead of their world premieres at the upcoming Busan International Film Festival (October 4-13).
Both titles will play in Biff’s New Currents competition, the festival’s main competitive section for Asian films.
Solids By The Seashore is set in a southern town in Thailand on the verge of an environmental crisis and revolves around the intimate relationship between a young woman from a local conservative Muslim family and...
Bangkok-based Diversion has launched sales of Patiparn Boontarig’s Solids By The Seashore and Chia Chee Sum’s Oasis Of Now, ahead of their world premieres at the upcoming Busan International Film Festival (October 4-13).
Both titles will play in Biff’s New Currents competition, the festival’s main competitive section for Asian films.
Solids By The Seashore is set in a southern town in Thailand on the verge of an environmental crisis and revolves around the intimate relationship between a young woman from a local conservative Muslim family and...
- 8/30/2023
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
The main competition section of the Busan International Film Festival is set to showcase two new features from Bangladeshi directors, the feature debut of Japanese documentary maker Mori Tatsuya and ruminations on Hong Kong by mainland Chinese director Choi Ji.
The festival on Wednesday unveiled its New Currents competition section, reserved for films by directors making their first or second works of fiction, as well as its Jiseok section, a showcase for somewhat more established Asian auteurs.
In addition to the Bangladesh duo, New Currents includes two films from Japan, two from Korea and one each from China, Thailand, Malaysia and India.
From Bangladesh, Iqbal H. Chowdhury’s “The Wrestler” sees an old fisherman challenge a wrestling champion to combat, and in “The Stranger” Biplob Sarkar tells a coming-of-age, gender-identity tale.
From Japan, Mori recounts the events of the Great Kanto earthquake in “September 1923,” while Yamamoto Akira delves into profound...
The festival on Wednesday unveiled its New Currents competition section, reserved for films by directors making their first or second works of fiction, as well as its Jiseok section, a showcase for somewhat more established Asian auteurs.
In addition to the Bangladesh duo, New Currents includes two films from Japan, two from Korea and one each from China, Thailand, Malaysia and India.
From Bangladesh, Iqbal H. Chowdhury’s “The Wrestler” sees an old fisherman challenge a wrestling champion to combat, and in “The Stranger” Biplob Sarkar tells a coming-of-age, gender-identity tale.
From Japan, Mori recounts the events of the Great Kanto earthquake in “September 1923,” while Yamamoto Akira delves into profound...
- 8/30/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Busan Funding Revealed
The Busan festival’s Asian Cinema Fund has announced 14 film projects to which it will give financial support. Three projects at script stage, black comedy “Chronicles of a Confession,” by Prateek Vats (India), “To Kill a Mongolian Horse” by China’s Jiang Xioaxuan and Suraj Paudel “Where the Rivers Run South” (Nepal) each receive a KRW10 million cash grant and will be invited to the 2023 edition of the festival’s Asian Project Market.
Four projects receive post-production funding and are expected to make their world premieres at Busan this year. They are “Concerning My Daughter,” by Lee Mirang, and “Lay Off” by Park Hongjun, both from Korea. They are joined by “Solids by the Seashore,” from Thailand’s Patiparn Boontarig and “The Spark,” by Indian veteran Rajesh S. Jala.
Seven feature documentary projects each receive up to KRW20 million from the Asian Network of Documentary Fund. The...
The Busan festival’s Asian Cinema Fund has announced 14 film projects to which it will give financial support. Three projects at script stage, black comedy “Chronicles of a Confession,” by Prateek Vats (India), “To Kill a Mongolian Horse” by China’s Jiang Xioaxuan and Suraj Paudel “Where the Rivers Run South” (Nepal) each receive a KRW10 million cash grant and will be invited to the 2023 edition of the festival’s Asian Project Market.
Four projects receive post-production funding and are expected to make their world premieres at Busan this year. They are “Concerning My Daughter,” by Lee Mirang, and “Lay Off” by Park Hongjun, both from Korea. They are joined by “Solids by the Seashore,” from Thailand’s Patiparn Boontarig and “The Spark,” by Indian veteran Rajesh S. Jala.
Seven feature documentary projects each receive up to KRW20 million from the Asian Network of Documentary Fund. The...
- 7/11/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Projects from directors Martika Ramirez Escobar and Maung Sun among titles.
Full Circle Lab Philippines, the Southeast Asian project and talent development programme, has revealed the line-up for its upcoming fifth edition, including new features by Filipino filmmaker Martika Ramirez Escobar and Myanmar’s Maung Sun.
The labs will comprise 12 projects in development, three films in post-production, eight emerging producers and three story editors. A total of 45 participants and 14 mentors are set to participate in the in-person workshop, held in the Central Luzon region in the north of Manila from March 27-31, This will be followed by online sessions, which run until September.
Full Circle Lab Philippines, the Southeast Asian project and talent development programme, has revealed the line-up for its upcoming fifth edition, including new features by Filipino filmmaker Martika Ramirez Escobar and Myanmar’s Maung Sun.
The labs will comprise 12 projects in development, three films in post-production, eight emerging producers and three story editors. A total of 45 participants and 14 mentors are set to participate in the in-person workshop, held in the Central Luzon region in the north of Manila from March 27-31, This will be followed by online sessions, which run until September.
- 3/6/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Hong Kong’s Haf adds 15 Wip projects ahead of first in-person edition since 2019.
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society has announced 15 work-in-progress projects, completing the full line-up of the 21st Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF21).
A total of 43 projects will be presented at Haf, including 28 in-development projects announced last month, which is set to run from March 13-15 alongside the 27th Hong Kong Film & TV Market (Filmart). It will mark the first in-person edition for both events since pre-Covid 2019.
Scroll down for full list of projects
Emerging and established actors who lead the cast of the 15 Wip projects include Fish Liew,...
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society has announced 15 work-in-progress projects, completing the full line-up of the 21st Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF21).
A total of 43 projects will be presented at Haf, including 28 in-development projects announced last month, which is set to run from March 13-15 alongside the 27th Hong Kong Film & TV Market (Filmart). It will mark the first in-person edition for both events since pre-Covid 2019.
Scroll down for full list of projects
Emerging and established actors who lead the cast of the 15 Wip projects include Fish Liew,...
- 2/8/2023
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Fifteen additional work-in-progress films are set to join the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (Haf) that takes place next month alongside the FilMart rights market. They join 28 previously announced in-development projects.
The 21st edition of Haf runs March 13-15 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and will be the first physical, in-person edition of the project event since 2019. All the work-in-progress projects will take part in a public pitching session on the first day.
The work-in-progress selection skews heavily towards Chinese language titles, with three originating in Hong Kong and the majority of the others from mainland China.
Leading names attached to the selected work-in-progress titles include producers Stanley Kwan (“Centre Stage”), Mai Meksawan (“Manta Ray”) and Ram Krishna Pokharel (“The Red Phallus”). Emerging and established actors including Fish Liew, Austin Lin, Ma Chih-Hsiang, Matsuda Ryuhei, Wang Xuebing, Wu Kang-Ren, and Zu Feng grace various projects.
The 21st edition of Haf runs March 13-15 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and will be the first physical, in-person edition of the project event since 2019. All the work-in-progress projects will take part in a public pitching session on the first day.
The work-in-progress selection skews heavily towards Chinese language titles, with three originating in Hong Kong and the majority of the others from mainland China.
Leading names attached to the selected work-in-progress titles include producers Stanley Kwan (“Centre Stage”), Mai Meksawan (“Manta Ray”) and Ram Krishna Pokharel (“The Red Phallus”). Emerging and established actors including Fish Liew, Austin Lin, Ma Chih-Hsiang, Matsuda Ryuhei, Wang Xuebing, Wu Kang-Ren, and Zu Feng grace various projects.
- 2/8/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Project pitching event, Thai Pitch will return to Cannes for the eighth time next month. It will launch three film projects from Thailand seeking international finance, co-production and sales partners.
Director, Kongdej Jaturanrasamee (“P-047”) and producer Soros Sukhum (“Wonderful Town”) will pitch “51 Faces of Anne,” about a woman with memory loss faced with the challenge of survival on a mysterious island. The radical concept film is expected to involve all 51 members of the pop idol sensation BNK48.
Nontawat Numbenchapol (“Boundary”) as director and producers Steve Chen (“Diamond Island”) and Supatcha Thipsena, will present “Doi Boy,” about an undocumented heterosexual refugee, working as a gay masseuse and prostitute in Chiang Mai. “Doi Boi” was previously crafted at the Cannes Atelier and the Seafic lab, where it won the Seafic Award.
Director Sorayos Prapapan (“Death of the Sound Man”) and producer Donsaron Kovitvanitcha will unwrap “Arnold is a Model Student” about the...
Director, Kongdej Jaturanrasamee (“P-047”) and producer Soros Sukhum (“Wonderful Town”) will pitch “51 Faces of Anne,” about a woman with memory loss faced with the challenge of survival on a mysterious island. The radical concept film is expected to involve all 51 members of the pop idol sensation BNK48.
Nontawat Numbenchapol (“Boundary”) as director and producers Steve Chen (“Diamond Island”) and Supatcha Thipsena, will present “Doi Boy,” about an undocumented heterosexual refugee, working as a gay masseuse and prostitute in Chiang Mai. “Doi Boi” was previously crafted at the Cannes Atelier and the Seafic lab, where it won the Seafic Award.
Director Sorayos Prapapan (“Death of the Sound Man”) and producer Donsaron Kovitvanitcha will unwrap “Arnold is a Model Student” about the...
- 4/17/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
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