MGTO head to serve as acting director of upcoming film festival

Helena de Senna Fernandes

A day after veteran director Marco Müller (Mueller) controversial resignation from the first edition of the International Film Festival and Awards, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) head Helena de Senna Fernandes announced that she would assume the post of Acting Festival Director.

In a press conference yesterday, Fernandes clarified that the office had stated that Müller’s resignation was due to “ongoing differences of opinions” and not personal reasons.

Fernandes described the incident as a “critical period” for the organization and cited her belief that it would be unfair to appoint a new director to assume such great responsibilities, especially with just a few weeks left before the festival.

“I, as the chairperson of the festival organization, will also assume the duties of the acting festival director,” Fernandes announced, saying she would face this “very difficult period” with the Secretariat.

Fernandes added that the Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association (MFTPA) is contemplating “necessary actions for this non-compliance”, hinting that legal charges may be filed against the renowned ex-director of the film festival.

“I think at this stage, we will not say […] what constitutes these differences and opinions, because there will probably be other ensuing actions, so at this stage I don’t think it is fair for us to comment,” she said.

Alvin Chau, the MFTPA president, refused to comment and did not clarify whether a lawsuit would be filed against Müller.

“There will be a possible follow up. At this stage, if we are entering into other possible litigation, we prefer not to say anything further,” Fernandes noted.

She stressed that the contractual relationship is between MFTPA and the festival director. MGTO is not part of the contractual party.

The international media have also reported on the veteran director’s sudden resignation, which may have already tarnished the image of the region’s upcoming film festival.

Although the resignation was not a “conducive act in terms of the entire organization”, Fernandes said “that a festival itself is definitely bigger than the sum of its parts. So at the end of the day, it’s teamwork.”