IFFAM Artistic Director Mike Goodridge and Talent Ambassador Miriam Yeung attended the event
The 2nd International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao (IFFAM) will be held from 8th to 14th December this year. The IFFAM Organizing Committee announced the theme “A New Avenue to the World of Films”, the line up of the new International Professional Team as well as other details during the Kick-Off Ceremony today (16 June). Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Artistic Director of IFFAM Mike Goodridge, Talent Ambassador Miriam Yeung attended the event among other prestigious guests.
The Kick-Off Ceremony was officiated by MGTO Director and President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; two Executive Vice Presidents of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, namely, President of Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association (MFTPA), Alvin Chau, and President of Management Committee of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, José Tavares; Acting Chief of the Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ho Hong Pan; IFFAM Artistic Director Mike Goodridge; Talent Ambassador Miriam Yeung and other guests.
In her speech, President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, expressed that in recent years, the Macao SAR Government had dedicated efforts to develop a variety of products and events in order to provide diverse tourism experiences to visitors. The inaugural IFFAM last year was widely recognized by the film industry from home and abroad, and further raised Macao’s international profile, in addition to enriching the cultural offerings of Macao. With a new International Professional Team on board this year, the Organizing Committee hopes to deliver a high quality and fresh new event through innovative means.
At the ceremony, Artistic Director Mike Goodridge introduced the brand new International Professional Team, and conversed with Talent Ambassador Miriam Yeung on stage. President of MFTPA and Executive Vice President of IFFAM Organizing Committee, Alvin Chau presented souvenirs to various event sponsors and Talent Ambassador Yeung.
This year, IFFAM will be incorporating new features and gastronomic elements, to offer a new theme and angle for the industry and audience to experience the film festival, while at the same time enhancing the event’s professionalism and impressiveness, to further elevate the recognition of the festival, as well as expand the audience group. The Organizing Committee and the International Professional Team have embarked upon the preparations of the 2nd IFFAM, and will be inviting local and international media representatives, international buyers, directors, talents, producers, distributors, investors as well as key persons from major film festivals around the world to attend.
Organizing Committee
The IFFAM Organizing Committee comprises government representatives, film professionals and more. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes takes up the role of President, while President of MFTPA, Alvin Chau, President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leong Hio Ming, and President of Management Committee of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, José Tavares, are the Executive Vice Presidents of the IFFAM Organizing Committee
International Professional Team
The International Professional Team for IFFAM includes Artistic Director, Head of Festival Management, Ambassadors, International Advisory Board as well as Film Selection Consultants. Mike Goodridge, who had served as jury member for over 25 international film festivals previously, is appointed as Artistic Director, while Head of Festival Management is Lorna Tee.
The International Advisory Board consists of 5 film experts from Europe, the United States and Asia, including Chinese film director and producer Huang Jianxin, American film producer Michael J. Werner, Korean producer Oh Jung-wan, producer and distribution expert from Hong Kong, Nansun Shi, and famous Portuguese producer Luís Urbano.
IFFAM’s rich and diverse program
The fascinating program of this year’s IFFAM includes:
Competition: An international competition comprising 10 feature films. A juryof 5 film personalities will appraise and award the best film works;
Gala: 3 of the most important films of the year will be presented out of competition, in a series of red-carpet presentations;
Flying Daggers:A selection of 6 films representing the latest style of genre cinema in Asia;
Best of Fest Panorama: Screening 8 award-winning feature films from major international film festivals of the year;
For all the family: A selection of films for families to enjoy a unique and novel screening experience;
“Crossfire”: 6 genre films selected by 3 Asian and 3 non-Asian master filmmakers;
IFFAM Industry Hub: Industry professionals are tapped to participate or present in film forums and the International Film Lab Macao;
Masterclasses: International film professionals are invited to share their experience with local audience and members of the industry;
BFI Film Academy Project: Professional lecturers from the British Film Institute (BFI) will conduct a training program on film production for local youth who are interested to join the film industry. The team will produce a micro film together.
Summary of the 1st IFFAM
During the Kick-Off Ceremony, the IFFAM Organizing Committee presented the summary report of the 1st IFFAM. The event saw the screening of 54 films, and participation of 264 international film industry professionals and 339 local and international media. 5 Master Classes were organized with 479 participants, while 6 outreach activities and 19 press conferences were held.
Media coverage included Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, the United States, UK, the Republic of Ireland and others, as well as Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan region.
The total buzz volume of articles/posts related to the event in traditional and social media reached 13,776, comprising 3,816 buzz of traditional media and 9,960 buzz of social media. In addition, there were 4.3 million replies, shares and comments of all social media. The advertising value of articles/posts is equivalent to 86.5 million patacas based on the media price list.
