IFFA Macau | ‘Macau really sees itself as a hub for global films’

Marco Mueller

Ten well-known Asian action movie directors will each select and promote an overseas film at the upcoming International Film Festival and Awards Macau (IFFA Macau), reports Variety Media.
Speaking at the fringes of a launch of the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FilMart) in Hong Kong this week, Marco Mueller, director of IFFA Macau was reportedly joined by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) director, Helena de Senna Fernandes.
“We want the ten to each choose a film that is neither East Asian and non-American that they would personally go back to,” Marco Mueller expressed to Variety Media. “They should be presenters of ‘world cinema’ and ensure diversity.”
The festival will largely focus on genre and commercial cinema. It will boast a main competition, gala presentations, a best of festival section and a focus on regional cinema.
“The competition will be made up of popular films, but cutting edge and a bit special, keeping it interesting for international buyers,” Mueller told Variety Media.
Though participants are yet to be confirmed and announced, Vietnam-born Chinese director Tsui Hark and Hong Kong’s John Woo are likely to be included among the ten, speculates Variety Media.
“Macau really sees itself as a hub for global films and co-productions and as a point of entry for foreign companies to enter the Greater China market,” he added. “The Macau government is seriously looking at creating an incentives system.”
Mueller is the former director of the Locarno, Venice and Rome festivals. He was also associated with the Beijing and Silk Road film festivals in mainland China, before agreeing to take up the mantle in Macau.
The new festival, which will run from December 8 to 13, reportedly has a budget of around MOP80 million, supported by the government with the help of a commercial sponsor. Most of the events within the festival are due to be held at the venues of the Macau Cultural Center and the Science Museum, with additional smaller venues loaned for market activities.
The film festival, which according to MGTO aims to become a major film event for the Greater China and international markets, will showcase around 45 titles this year.
Nevertheless in its first year it has been timed to follow a similar event in Hong Kong where, just two days prior, a CineAsia convention and trade show will take place. The latter event is expected to draw many international figures to the region. DB