Following the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) announces that the second International Film Camp (IFC) will take place from September 10 to 16, 2025, in Macao. This year’s call for entries received an overwhelming response, and with the outstanding quality of submissions, the Academy decided to expand the intake by adding two additional spots, bringing the final selection to 18 filmmakers. On the last day of the camp, all 18 participants will pitch their short film projects to a panel of industry professionals, from which eight projects will each be awarded production grants of USD 38,000.

The Academy Chairman Wilfred Wong Ying-wai explained, “We launched the film camp to nurture young filmmakers in the region as another component of how the Asian Film Awards Academy is promoting and introducing Asian cinema. The Academy gives annual awards to the best in Asian cinema, organizes screenings of films around Asia, talks and visits to film festivals.”

The International Film Camp Director, Roger Garcia noted that “I am pleased that our first round of filmmakers is gaining recognition with two films by Hong Kong filmmakers Frankie Lee and To Chun Him, at the Far East Film Festival in Udine Italy, one Mongolian production A SOUTH FACING WINDOW by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir recognized in competition at the recent Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, and Toronto International Film Festival, and Chinese filmmaker Song Dongxu’s RIDE YOUR HORSE which competed at the FIRST film festival last month. Some of the other films will also be entering the festival circuit in the coming months, and whose.”

He added that “For the film camp this year, we have a wide range of filmmakers – from Hong Kong, Macau, China, and other Asian countries from Central Asia to India to South East Asia. We hope this will give greater exposure to the talented work being made in the short film genre.”

Ms Josie Lin, Executive Director of the Asian Film Awards Academy said that “the Academy is grateful to all our supporters and sponsors who share our vision of developing Asian talents. We are also grateful to our mentors including directors Anthony Chen from Singapore, and Mr Chen Daming from China to come and share their knowledge with the participants. In particular we also thank our three Masterclass filmmakers – internationally acclaimed Hong Kong veterans Mabel Cheung Yuen-ting and Stanley Kwan Kam-pang, and Philippines Cannes winner Brillante Mendoza – for their participation. Their insights and rich experience gained from their successful careers will be an inspiration to the younger generation.”

The 2025 camp takes “My Best Friend” as its central theme, with participants developing their short film projects around this idea. Over the five-day program, filmmakers will take part in masterclasses, panel discussions, and one-on-one mentorship sessions covering script development, budgeting, and production planning. This year’s Chief Mentor will be renowned Hong Kong producer John Chong, celebrated for his work on the landmark Infernal Affairs trilogy.

The International Film Camp is Organized by the Asian Film Awards Academy, with patronages of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, and the support of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDAHK), the Film Development Fund (FDF) of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and Sands China Limited, and Shaw Studios as sponsors.

Please contact us if any questions,

Email: info@afa-academy.com

Tel: +852 3195 0609

Website: www.afa-academy.com