International Film Camp Inspires Young Asian Filmmakers with Industry Expertise and Creative Exchange
Covering creativity, industry and practice, the Camp provides young directors with professional guidance and cross-cultural exchange to broaden their vision
Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy, the International Film Camp 2025 (IFC) is currently taking place at The Venetian Macao, bringing together 18 emerging filmmakers from eight regions across Asia. The Camp provides a unique platform for learning and collaboration, with participants receiving guidance from seasoned professionals across directing, screenwriting, producing and film markets. By the end of the week, eight projects will be awarded production grants of up to HKD 300,000 each.
Throughout the Camp, participants meet one-on-one with mentors every day to refine their projects in detail, from story and budgeting to production planning, in preparation for their final presentations to the jury. In addition, industry professionals lead a series of panels and lectures. In the panel “Career Development”, Chief Mentor John Chong urged participants to “seize every opportunity” and emphasised: “Stories should always come from the characters. If the character stands, the story will naturally stand.” Singaporean director Anthony Chen reminded participants that a director must understand the characters better than anyone in order to win the actors’ trust, while Chinese filmmaker Chen Daming stressed that directors are not only artists but also leaders who must balance vision with on-set realities. In the “Scriptwriting” lecture, veteran screenwriter Chan Hing Ka shared his own journey and advised: “Inspiration does not come out of thin air — it comes from daily observation and discipline.” He noted that strong themes and authentic characters matter far more than flashy twists.
Industry-focused discussions further broadened perspectives. In “The China Challenge”, Xie Meng, Founder and CEO of Rediance, noted: “In China, things change very fast. To make things happen, you have to be very patient, and you have to stay flexible.” The panel “Where is the Money? Project Markets & Institutions” featured Sabrina Baracetti, President of the Udine Far East Film Festival and Centro Espressioni Cinematografiche, together with Jongsuk Thomas Nam, Managing Director of NAFF at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), who both stressed the role of festivals and markets as vital platforms for emerging filmmakers to build connections. The “Acquisition & Distribution” panel brought together Thomas Bertacche, CEO of Tucker Film and founding member of the Udine Far East Film Festival; Felix Tsang, Sales & Acquisitions Manager at Golden Scene; and Xie Meng, who shared strategies from European, Hong Kong and mainland perspectives, reminding participants that films need the right positioning and channels to reach audiences. The “Festival” panel featured Richard Peña, Emeritus Professor of Film and Media Studies at Columbia University; Sabrina Baracetti; Jongsuk Thomas Nam; and Albert Lee of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS). Collectively, they affirmed that despite the rise of streaming platforms, film festivals remain crucial for visibility.
One of the highlights of the Camp was a masterclass with acclaimed Filipino director and Cannes Best Director winner Brillante Mendoza. Speaking candidly, he emphasised: “Realism is what touches the audience most.” He explained that he often withholds the full script from actors to preserve spontaneity and authenticity in their performances. His insights resonated deeply with the participants, drawing warm applause.
The programme also included memorable moments outside the class. Fred Wang, Chairman of Salon Films, brought a vintage film camera to the venue, allowing participants to experience historical equipment up close with great excitement. The Academy also arranged meals and gatherings where participants could connect with mentors and guest speakers, building networks and friendships.
Pitching rehearsals were another key component, as participants presented their projects and received constructive feedback from mentors and guest producer Amy Chin. The Camp will conclude on Day 5 with the final project presentations, followed by the Closing Ceremony in the evening, where the eight projects awarded production funding will be officially announced.
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
