Sands China Ltd. is championing the next generation of Asian filmmakers with its second sponsorship of the International Film Camp (IFC) 2025, a platform that provides emerging talent with mentorship, funding, and international exposure while reinforcing Macau’s creative credentials.
The IFC 2025 concluded recently with the announcement of eight winning short film projects at its closing ceremony at The Londoner Macao.
Organized by the Asian Film Awards Academy, the initiative has become a platform for nurturing young Asian filmmakers and aims to solidify Macau’s position as a hub for cultural exchange and creative industries.
Now in its second year, the camp brought together 18 emerging filmmakers from eight countries and regions, including mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, South Korea, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and Kyrgyzstan.
Jane Zhang
Over five days, participants received mentorship from renowned industry professionals and developed short film projects based on the theme “My Best Friend.”
Eight winners were awarded HKD300,000 each to produce their short films, which will receive continued support in professional post-production and international promotion.
Curated by veteran festival director and mentor Roger Garcia, the program this year built on lessons learned from its inaugural edition.
The film expert stressed that the IFC is not just about instruction, but about collaboration across borders.
“Coming to a camp like this, you don’t only learn from professionals who are talking, you also learn from each other,” he said. “Every filmmaker, wherever they come from, faces challenges. Many of them share common problems, and learning from those shared experiences is something that can be transformative.”
Mentorship and training
The camp featured an impressive lineup of mentors, including Hong Kong filmmaker John Chong, known for over 100 productions, including Infernal Affairs and Cloud Atlas, as chief mentor. Other instructors included acclaimed directors and producers Anthony Chen, Mabel Cheung, Brillante Mendoza, Chan Hing Kai, and Meng Xie.
Participants attended masterclasses, seminars, and one-on-one mentorship sessions covering directing, screenwriting, post-production, and pitching.
At a masterclass before the closing ceremony, award-winning Hong Kong director Stanley Kwan shared insights into his creative journey, leaving participants with lessons on perseverance and artistic vision.
Pham Hoàng Minh Thy
Dr. Wilfred Wong, chairman of the Asian Film Awards Academy, noted that the IFC has already made a mark.
“Last year’s inaugural camp yielded encouraging results, with several short films showcased at festivals across Asia and overseas, showing that the IFC is a true launchpad for aspiring filmmakers,” Wong said.
Voices from the participants
For many young filmmakers, IFC 2025 was not just a learning experience, but also a turning point in their careers.
Jane Zhang, a Macau-born filmmaker who proposed a short film about memory and self-acceptance, said the camp broadened her creative and professional horizons.
“Making short films is always difficult, especially with funding,” Zhang said. “Through this camp, I learned a lot about pitching, how to secure funding, and how to approach professionals. Witnessing other filmmakers pitch their unique stories was invaluable.”
Zhang added that networking with peers across Asia gave her “a circle of friends and collaborators” that will support her future projects.
For Pham Hoang Minh Thy, an aspiring Vietnamese filmmaker whose project Death in Tokyo explores the theme of life and mortality, the camp represented both a personal and professional milestone.
“This is a very special chance to meet filmmakers from different cultures and to learn from world-class mentors,” Pham said. “For me, one of the most important benefits is being seen and heard by renowned Hong Kong filmmakers and producers whom I’ve admired for a long time – that has been a great reward of this experience.”
Building on success
The IFC continues to build momentum following its successful launch last year, with several funded short films already screened at international festivals – a track record that, according to Garcia, shows the program’s impact.
“For emerging filmmakers, what’s important is having a chance to get exposure through film festivals,” he noted. “This camp is fairly unique because we provide production grants at the end of the process. That means participants can actually make their films and show them overseas.”
He added that the IFC also helps shine a spotlight on Macau as a host city.
“A film festival tries to attract people through its programming, but with a film camp, we’re bringing people here for a quality learning experience,” Garcia said. “When people understand this process, it helps position Macau in a strong place internationally. People think, ‘the International Film Camp, that happens in Macau,’ and that really makes a difference.”
Sands China’s sponsorship aligns with the SAR government’s goals of promoting cultural development under its “moderate diversification” strategy, as well as the “tourism+” and “culture+” initiatives.
Grant Chum, CEO and executive director of Sands China Ltd., reiterated the company’s belief in the role of cinema in strengthening the SAR’s international image.
“Cinematic art not only captures the essence of beauty and life, but also holds the potential to introduce the audience to new destinations,” Chum said. “Through the power of film, we can attract visitors to Macau and share its compelling stories with the world.”
As Chum remarked, initiatives like the IFC are not just about nurturing film talent – they are about supporting Macau’s development.
“We have invited outstanding film professionals from around the world to provide guidance to participants from various Asian countries and regions,” he said. “[We hope] to cultivate diverse artistic talents to drive the sustainable growth of the film industry in Macau.”
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