News

The 1st International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao (IFFAM) will be held in December. The organizers held a press conference today (27 May) to introduce the IFFAM Organizing Committee and the International Professional Team as well as the current preparation work. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Alexis Tam attended the press conference and witnessed the signing of a cooperative agreement between Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association (MFTPA). Witnessed by Secretary Tam, MGTO and MFTPA signed the cooperative agreement during the press conference, confirming their joint initiative to organize IFFAM. Cultural Affairs Bureau and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau are co-organizers of the event. The Organizing Committee also gave out certificates of acknowledgement to the sponsors and entities concerned. The inaugural edition of IFFAM is scheduled to take place at Macao Cultural Centre and Macao Science Center from 8 to 13 December. The organizers have formed an IFFAM Organizing Committee and an International Professional Team to carry out the preparation work. Close to 100 local and international members of the press, international buyers, film directors, film stars, film producers, distributors, investors as well as key persons from major film festivals around the world will be invited to attend the 1st edition of IFFAM. The volume of participants is expected to reach 500. During her speech, MGTO Director and President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, remarked that IFFAM will introduce world-class exchange opportunities and raise Macao’s international profile to a new level. Not only that, the event will unleash the synergistic effect between culture and tourism and enrich the cultural appeal of the destination, thus producing long-term benefit for the sustainable development of the tourism industry and the creative and cultural industry in Macao. President of MFTPA and Executive Vice President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Alvin Chau, stated that the 1st IFFAM will mainly invite original film works that are relatively more popular in the market, with the aim to forge IFFAM into one of the major international events and marketplaces in the Asian film industry. Festival Director of IFFAM, Marco Müller, expressed that owing to Macao’s economic, cultural, historical and geographic factors, IFFAM has the potential to become a major film-hub. Many key film-operators agreed that there is still space in East Asia for a new hub for exchanges in the film industry, and Macao certainly holds a potential and chance to occupy a key position in the global arena. Organizing Committee The IFFAM Organizing Committee comprises governmental representatives, film professionals and scholars, etc. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes takes up the role of President, while President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng, President of Management Committee of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, José Tavares, and President of MFTPA, Alvin Chau, are the Executive Vice Presidents of the IFFAM Organizing Committee. MGTO Deputy Directors Cecilia Tse and Cheng Wai Tong, Vice President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Chan Peng Fai, Member of the Committee of Cultural Industries, Melina Leong, Vice President of Macau University of Science and Technology, Tong Ka Lok, and Vice President of MFTPA, Chen Ji Min, act as vice presidents of the IFFAM Organizing Committee. Council Chairlady of MFTPA, Alice Azedo Augusto is the Secretary General of the Organizing Committee, whereas Executive Vice Council Chairlady of MFTPA, Lei Sou Ian, is the Deputy Secretary General. Internationally-renowned film producer Marco Müller is the Festival Director, whereas famous producer in Asian film industry, Lorna Tee, acts as the Head of Festival Management. International Professional Team The International Professional Team for IFFAM includes Festival Director, Head of Festival Management, Ambassadors, International Advisory Board as well as International Consultants. The members include Festival Director Marco Müller and Head of Festival Management Lorna Tee, while celebrated Hong Kong directors Johnnie To and Ann Hui, Korean director Choi Dong-hoon, as well as famous director and cinematographer from Europe, Clemens Klopfenstein, act as the Ambassadors. The four Ambassadors all boast a background or profile related to Macao. Three of them have shot film scenes in Macao before, while Director Ann Hui once studied in Macao. The International Advisory Board consists of 7 film experts from the East and the West, including Chinese film director and producer Huang Jianxin, veteran American film producer based in Asia-Pacific, Michael J. Werner, Korean producer Oh Jung-wan, veteran producer and distribution expert from Hong Kong, Nansun Shi, famous American screenwriter James Schamus, French art director for film festivals, Olivier Père, and famous Portuguese producer Luís Urbano. In charge of film selection, the Team of International Consultants includes Alëna Shumakova for Russia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, Deepti Dcunha for India, Diego Lerer for Latin America, Marie-Pierre Duhamel for Western Europe, Sandra Hebron for the United States and the United Kingdom, Shan Dongbing for China and Tomita Mikiko for Japan. The Team of Honorary Advisors includes President of Galaxy Entertainment Group, Michael Mecca, President of Sands China Limited, Wilfred Wong, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Wynn Macau Limited, Linda Chen, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Ltd., Grant Bowie, famous Hong Kong film star Eric Tsang, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Entertainment Culture Ltd., Alex Dong, acclaimed Hong Kong celebrity agent Paco Wong and President of China Great Wall Art & Culture Center, Junguo Shi. The Media Partners for the 1st IFFAM are Teledifusão de Macau, S.A. (TDM) and FOX Networks Group. The official Internet Marketing and Media Partner for the event is MOME Ltd. In addition, the three-time Oscar winner of Best Achievement in Art Direction, Dante Ferretti, has been invited to design the trophy for the IFFAM awards. Diverse and fascinating program highlights The program of IFFAM features various highlights including Competition, Gala, “Hidden Dragons” Genre Cinema Panorama, Best of Fest Panorama and a retrospective called “Crossfire”. The Film Market/Industry Office and Masterclasses will also be held during the event. Competition – the competition will present 12 feature films. A jury composed of five film-personalities will appraise and award the best film works; Gala – 5 of the most important new movies of the year will be presented out of competition, in a series of red-carpet presentations; “Hidden Dragons” – 6 films representing the latest current and style of contemporary Asian genre cinema will be presented; Best of Fest Panorama – screening 8 award-winning feature films from major international film festivals in 2016; “Crossfire” – featuring 12 genre films from South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia and so on, selected by 12 East Asian genre film masters; Film Market/Industry Office – film industry entities will be invited to set up film market booths; Masterclasses – international film professionals will be invited to share their experience with local audience and members of the film industry. Competitions and exchange project foster creativity Other sidebars include: IFFAM – “Macao Audience Choice Award” Trophy Design Competition welcomes entries from Macao residents and designers, and will select the best design for the trophy of “Macao Audience Choice Award” in IFFAM. Chinese Language Short Content Competition – targeting young creators, the competition welcomes Chinese language short content works which feature elements of Macao. By inspiring young talents to develop their own film works, the competition aims to extend the impact of IFFAM across Chinese-speaking territories. Young Talents Project – International Short Screenplay Competition encourages young people to write screenplay and fosters their creativity; the competition also welcomes participants from Portuguese-speaking countries. After the first round of selection, assistance will be provided to translate Portuguese screenplay entries into English version. In the British Film Academy Project, professional lecturers from the British Film Institute will conduct a one-week training program on film production targeting local residents and students. Promotional activities The organizers not only will carry out an array of promotional activities in Macao and overseas, but also will promote the event in various major film festivals including Shanghai International Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival, as well as through the help of MGTO’s representatives overseas. The film and television industry creates a strong momentum for local tourism development and effectively builds up a destination’s colorful image. Not only that, the industry also fosters tourism growths and raises the destination profile. Last year, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Alexis Tam proposed hosting an international film festival, hoping that the event can gather outstanding film works as well as prominent actors and film stars from around the world, thus bringing in world-class exchange opportunities and unleashing a synergistic effect through advancing local cultural and creative industry development and Macao’s destination glamour. Through the film festival, the SAR Government also aims to broaden the diversity of tourism and cultural products as well as signature events, enriching the cultural elements offered by the destination, in order to produce long-term benefit for the sustainable development of the tourism industry and the creative and cultural industry, which will promote Macao’s endeavor to become a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. The press release and photos are available at: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/index.php
…

The Cinematheque．Passion, under the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), hosts a talk entitled “Cinematography: creativity behind the viewfinder”, conducted by renowned Hong Kong director of photography, O Sing-Pui, to be held on Saturday, 18 June, from 3pm to 5pm. Online applications are now accepted. Admission is free. In this talk, O Sing-Pui will explore the cinematographers’ role and capabilities, analyse the relationship between photographer and film, and share his personal experiences and vision of cinematography. Recommended by the famous Hong Kong director Tsui Hark, O Sing-Pui has an impressive filmography: in 1986, he completed his first directorial work The Story behind the Concert; in 1997, he was the director of photography of the film Made in Hong Kong and later he worked as photographer and director of photography of several Hong Kong film productions like You Shoot, I Shoot, Heros in Love and The Pye-dog, among others. In 2008, O was nominated for the Best Cinematography award at the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards with Ip Man. There are sixty seats available. All interested parties are welcome to enroll through IC’s Activity Registration System (www.icm.gov.mo/eform/event). For enquiries regarding the talks or the Cinematheque, please contact Mr. Leong, staff member of IC, through tel. no. (853) 2892 4040 during office hours. For details, please visit the Cultural Affairs Bureau website (www.icm.gov.mo) or Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com) .
…

The Government will not change its policy of banning non-resident workers from being employed in Macao as drivers of heavy vehicles. The reiteration of the policy follows news reports in the Hong Kong media suggesting Macao’s regulations might be changed to allow non-residents to take such work. The Government pays great attention to the fact that demand is high in Macao for local professional drivers. The Government is committed to resolving the issue by adopting policies that enable a greater number of residents – that already have a heavy vehicle licence – to work as drivers for local bus companies. The Government is also providing additional training opportunities for those residents interested in working as drivers of heavy vehicles but that do not currently have the necessary licence.
…

The CCAC has detected two cases of document forgery involving fraud over the “Income Subsidy” of the Government of the Macao SAR. The persons involved have allegedly committed the offences of document forgery and fraud under the Penal Code and the amounts of money involved were higher than MOP700,000 and MOP200,000. The relevant investigation has been completed and the cases have been referred to the Public Prosecutions Office. The Macao SAR Government implemented the “Temporary Measures for the Income Subsidy” in January 2008, aiming to subsidise permanent residents with low income to ease their life pressure. According to these measures, employees with monthly working hours not lower than the stipulated hours and a quarterly income not exceeding the stipulated amount are eligible for application of the subsidy. It was discovered that between 2009 and 2014, the owner of a property management and cleaning company, when applying for the “Income Subsidy” on behalf of his employees, submitted false information to the Financial Services Bureau (DSF) by understating the wages and overstating the working hours of the employees and even faked their personal data in an attempt to fraudulently obtain the supplementary allowance amounting over MOP700,000. In another case, when applying for the “Income Subsidy” to the DSF, between 2012 and 2015, on behalf of the property administrators, the president of a property administration committee intentionally understated their wages and named part of the wages as “allowance and bonus”, which was paid separately on a different date in order to conceal the actual amounts of their incomes, having thus received, by fraudulent means, more than MOP200,000 from the Macao SAR Government.
…

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that both the unemployment rate (1.9%) and the underemployment rate (0.5%) for February-April 2016 remained stable as in January-March 2016. Total labour force was 397,300 and the labour force participation rate stood at 72.2%. Total employment increased by 600 from January-March, at 389,600. Analysed by industry, employment in Gaming & Junket Activities and Real Estate & Business Activities registered increase, while that in Hotels & Similar Activities saw decrease. Number of the unemployed was 7,700, similar to that in January-March; fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job accounted for 5.0% of the total unemployed, down by 1.3 percentage points. In comparison with February-April 2015, the labour force participation rate dropped by 1.8 percentage points, while both the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage points.
…

Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in May on 26 May for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 12 supermarkets in Sé Parish. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM’s Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. With reference to the local seven parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
…

In order to promote the art of Cantonese Opera, the exhibition “The Enchanting Red Boat – An Episode of the Cantonese Opera Culture”, organised by the Macao Museum under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, was inaugurated on Thursday, 26th May, at 6pm, in the lobby of the Macao Museum. The opening ceremony was officiated by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; the Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao S.A.R., Zhao Chuan Dong; the Deputy Director of Foshan Museum, Wang Haina; the President of the Macao General Association of Cantonese Opera, Lam Fong Ngo and the member of the Cultural Consultative Committee, Tong Mui Siu. As part of the programme of the 27th Macao Arts Festival, the exhibition is open to the public until 9th October. Cantonese Opera, also known as “Guangdong Drama”, is a distinctive local culture and art. Many repertoires were inherited from “zaju”, a variety show of the Yuan dynasty. Originating in Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces in the Ming and Qing dynasties, Cantonese Opera became popular in the Pearl River Delta and burgeoned in the late Qing dynasty. Cantonese Opera was inscribed on the Tentative List of the Macao SAR Intangible Cultural Heritage and on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2006, and it was also recognized by UNESCO and was officially inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, testifying to its artistic value and significance. In order to promote the art of Cantonese Opera and introduce its “beauty”, the Macao Museum organises the exhibition “The Enchanting Red Boat - An Episode of the Cantonese Opera Culture”. Its title, “Red Boat”, highlights the origin of Cantonese Opera. “Red Boat” refers to the boats painted in red in which the Cantonese Opera troupes were taken through the dense river network of Guangdong Province, as well as the costumes and sets of the performances. These troupes were known as “red boat troupes”. These red boats basically vanished due to the civil war occurred in the 1950s. The exhibition features nearly 100 artefacts, including the most representative artefacts of the Macao Museum related to Cantonese Opera, and other materials, photos and collections provided by Cantonese Opera associations and organizations. These artefacts include the costumes of renowned Cantonese Opera artist Chun Siu Lay, and traditional bamboo Chinese instruments made by Cantonese Opera musician Li Yui-cho, among others, illustrating the history, development and presentation of Cantonese Opera in Macao. Biographies of celebrated Cantonese Opera conductors will also be presented, allowing visitors to contemplate the beauty of this traditional art and the enchanting nostalgia it brings. The exhibition “The Enchanting Red Boat” features an educational area themed on Emperor Hua Guang, who is respected as a patron saint by Cantonese Opera artists, allowing visitors to have a better understanding of the customs of Cantonese Opera. In addition to the exhibition catalogue published by the Macao Museum as usual, three exquisite postcards specially designed by members of the Macao Animation & Comic Creators Association are available, adding the exhibition’s publications creative innovation. For more information on the exhibition and activities, please visit the Macao Museum website www.macaumuseum.gov.mo or call the Museum through tel. no. 2835 7911, during office hours.
…

Organised by the Macao Museum under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the exhibition “The Enchanting Red Boat – An Episode of the Cantonese Opera Culture” features a series of activities in order to promote the art of Cantonese Opera and allow the public to have a better understanding about the customs of Cantonese Opera. Admission is free. A thematic talk entitled “The Enchanting Red Boat” will be held on Saturday, 4th June, from 3pm to 5pm, conducted by experienced Cantonese Opera artists and performers, Tang Yick Sang and Tang Va Chio, introducing the history of Cantonese Opera from the origin of the red boat, ‘Opera in the Bamboo Theatre’ and ‘Opera for Deities’, traditional stage facilities, to the transformation of Cantonese Opera performance and costumes; a workshop by the Macao Lai Chon Chinese Opera Association will be held on Saturday, 11th June, from 10am to 1pm, presenting the costumes and helmets of modern Cantonese Opera. In this workshop, specialists will demonstrate how to make hairpieces using human hair, and teach participants the basic skills of Cantonese Opera. The abovementioned activities, conducted in Cantonese, will be held at the Macao Museum Auditorium. Admission is free. Seats are limited and subject to availability. For registration and enquiries, please call Ms. Wu through tel. no. 8394 1210 during office hours. In addition, a “Balloon Modelling Family Workshop” will be held on 17th and 31st July and 14th August (Sundays), at 2:45pm and 4pm, at the Auditorium of the Macao Museum. Instructors will teach participants to twist balloons into creative shapes based on hats and weapons used in Cantonese Opera. Admission is free and registration can be made on-site. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first served basis. There will also be Crosswords Prizes. All interested patrons can obtain a registration form on site or download it at the Macao Museum website (www.macaumuseum.gov.mo), and return it to the “Crosswords Collection Box” on the third floor of the Macao Museum during the exhibition period. The Macao Museum will announce the list of winners and prize redemption procedures on 25th October on its website. For enquiries about the “Balloon Modelling Family Workshop” and the “Crosswords Prizes”, please call Ms. Shi through tel. no. 8394 1234. As part of the programme of the 27th Macao Arts Festival, the exhibition “The Enchanting Red Boat – An Episode of the Cantonese Opera Culture” is open until 9th October. For more information on the exhibition and relevant activities, please visit the Macao Museum website www.macaumuseum.gov.mo or call 2835 7911 during office hours.
…

The 27th Macao Arts Festival (MAF) Outreach Programme, organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, features several activities targeted at the community, including an art critique online platform aimed at encouraging the public’s immediate comments, the initiative “Secondary Students’ Writings on the Macao Arts Festival” aimed to train budding art critics, as well as the accessibility service which reflects the Festival’s social care. The diverse activities allow audience from different sectors to experience the artistic experiences, and come closer to the arts. For the first time, this edition of MAF offers an online platform - “Simple Critique” - offering the public the opportunity to express thoughts directly as well as to interact with other audience members, and at the same time allowing creators to receive immediate feedback. The initiative “Secondary Students’ Writings on Macao Arts Festival” envolves five schools, namely Pui Ching Middle School, Tong Sin Tong School, the Workers’ Children High School, the School of Dance of the Macao Conservatory and the Kwong Tai Middle School, counting with the participation of over 100 students. This initiative allows students to write critiques after the performances, thereby enhancing their appreciation skills of performing arts shows, analysis, judgement and writing abilities and, consequently, nurturing young art critics. After three years of trainings through workshops and the promotion of the accessibility services, this edition of the MAF offers audio description and accessible captions services in the screening of the movie “Touch of the Light” as well as audio description and theatrical interpretation of the children’s play Circles provided by local students. In addition, movies related to the programme and theme of this year’s MAF were also screened. After screening, movie aficionados shared their opinions with the audience, thereby enriching their MAF experience. The movies were screened in several locations around the city, allowing the public to take part in the Festival in public open spaces and bring their daily lives closer to the arts. The various screening sessions gathered over 200 viewers. Additionally, the talk “From Ditties to Arias: Music on a Shakespearean Stage” will be held on 29 May, at the Auditorium of the Macao Museum of Art. Members of the public who have made registration are advised to arrive at the venue on time. For more information on the 27th Macao Arts Festival programme, tickets and discounts, please refer to the Festival Guidebook, which can be downloaded at www.icm.gov.mo/fam, or follow the MAF’s page on Facebook or subscribe to IC’s WeChat account. Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555; online ticket reservation: www.macauticket.com.
…

The 27th Macao Arts Festival (MAF), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, carries on this week with excellent theatre and music performances produced by local and foreign groups. The Festival will soon draw to a grand close with Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth. Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most renowned tragedies. This version of the play is produced by South African company Third World Bunfight, is a radical take on Verdi’s opera Macbeth. The play explores a vision of the world through a post-colonial African scenery and the historical and current relations between Africa and the West. Verdi’s score has been rewritten and adapted by Belgium composer, Fabrizio Cassol, and is performed by renowned trans-Balkan “No Borders Orchestra” at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium on 28 and 29 May. This is a performance not to be missed. On the other hand, the staged concert Coppia is the result of a partnership between Manuela Azevedo, the vocalist of renowned Portuguese pop music group Clã, Hélder Gonçalves, the musical director of the concert, and Victor Hugo Pontes, who is responsible for the direction and set design, presenting an amazing journey in which dance and music play in a tennis court. The concert will be held on 27 and 28 May at the Sands Theatre, Sands® Macao and the concert venue is sponsored by SandsMacao. The play Someone in “Outlaws of the Marsh” to be held on 27 and 28 May at the Macao Cultural Centre Small Auditorium, features elements of Cantonese Opera and the blending of Chinese and Western styles. This modern comedy tells a story omitted by the original version of Outlaws of the Marsh and is a sequel about two officials ranked as the 109th and 110th heroes. Only a few tickets are available for the abovementioned performances and those interested should purchase their tickets as soon as possible. For more information on the 27th Macao Arts Festival, please visit the respective webpage at www.icm.gov.mo/fam, or follow MAF’s page on Facebook or subscribe to IC’s WeChat account. Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555.
…