Briefs | IC says it does not know details of ‘Mollywood’ project

The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) said it does not know the details of a plan to build a film project in Macau that would rival Hollywood and Bollywood. Speaking to Portuguese news agency Lusa, the IC admitted to not knowing much about the project, but said it was “very enthusiastic about the existence of cultural projects […] playing a role to promote the development of the local cultural and creative industries.” The film project, known as ‘Mollywood’, was announced at an event in mainland China last week and drew the support of more than 100 artists from the Chinese film and television industry. Few details were announced, but organizers promised the project would underpin diversification efforts and lead to the creation of an industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

HUSH short competition now open for submissions

The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) is calling for submissions for the short video competition “HUSH!! 300 Seconds” from all interested parties. The competition is one of many activities offered by the popular “HUSH!! Full Music 2020” that returns this year with a new format. Local musicians, bands and performers will perform both online and at designated venues throughout July and August. The venues include the Macao Contemporary Art Centre – Navy Yard No. 2, the Macao Science Centre Square, the Ponte 9 Rooftop and Senado Square. The regulations and application form for the short video competition can be obtained and downloaded from the IC’s designated website at www.icm.gov.mo/hush.

IFFAM returns as Cannes Film Market partner

The International Film Festival & Awards – Macao (IFFAM) returns this year as a member festival of the “Fantastic 7”, a Cannes Film Market initiative that was moved online this month because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Fantastic 7 presents seven “fantastic” genre projects from seven different festivals and works to connect emerging talent in the industry with potential business partners by creating a space for dialogue and exchange. This year, IFFAM put forward the local Macau project “Foreign Cop” directed by Maxim Bessmertny and produced by Bessmertny and Jorge Cordeiro dos Santos. Currently in development, this crime thriller is set in 1980 Macao where gangsters, cabaret dancers, and slot machines coexist in an exciting atmosphere of neon lights, kitsch architecture and early consumer electronics. Private investigator Mendonza arrives in the city from Portugal to catch the robbers who dared to perform a casino heist in the city, brutally killing a loyal casino employee.