The selection process for Macao works in the “2021 Scripts in Focus — Film Scriptwriting Advanced Programme”, jointly organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) of the Macao SAR Government, the Film Administration of Guangdong Province and Create Hong Kong, has been completed. Four Macao works out of 18 were selected by instructors You Xiaoying and Huang Ji, senior filmmakers from Mainland China, to participate in the programme, namely (in random order): Distance by Ho Hong Io, My Driver Father and Me by Niko Ho, Relationship by Chao Kin Kuan and The Bravest Man on Earth by Chan Nga Lei.
As one of the cultural co-operation programmes in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the “2021 Scripts in Focus” programme aims to cultivate filmmaking talent by giving guidance on scripts, thereby promoting the development of the film industry and spawning more creative films. A total of four Macao films were selected for the programme based on two criteria, namely theme and originality, connotations and narrative. The instructors will help improve the shortlisted projects by providing guidance and suggestions regarding the story, plot, structure and integrity of the scripts. The selection processes for Guangdong and Hong Kong works are also underway.
Applicants of the shortlisted projects will receive 30 hours of training from June to August, upon the completion of which the applicants must submit their final scripts. IC will invite other jury members to select two of the four projects to represent Macao in the joint review for projects from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. After that, two winning projects out of a total of six from the three regions will be selected and each will be awarded a prize of MOP$60,000.
You Xiaoying and Huang Ji, who are responsible for the selection of Macao works while serving as instructors for this programme, are both senior filmmakers in Mainland China. You Xiaoying, a graduate of the Department of Dramatic Literature of the Central Academy of Drama, won screenwriting awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards, the China Film Directors’ Guild Awards and the Beijing College Student Film Festival. Her screenplays include Sister and My Dear Guardian. Huang Ji is a graduate of the Department of Literature of Beijing Film Academy. Works directed by her won the Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Jury Award at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival, and the Special Mention of the Generation 14plus International Jury at the Berlin International Film Festival. Works and screenplays she directed include Invisible World, The Warmth of Orange Peel, The Foolish Bird, Egg and Stone and Stonewalling, among others.
For enquiries about the programme, please contact the staff members of IC, Mr. Kuan at 8399 6295 or Mr. Chong at 8399 6256 during office hours.