“In Conversation” Series Wraps Up, Delving into Key Aspects of Filmmaking
Four engaging sessions on supporting roles, production design, film music, and emerging directors, with lively audience participation and a dynamic atmosphere
Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy and supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, the In Conversation series brought together nominees from the 18th Asian Film Awards. The events offered a unique opportunity for both fans and industry professionals to delve into four key areas of filmmaking: supporting actors, production design, film music composition, and emerging directors. The series, held from 14th to 15th March, attracted a large audience and received a highly positive response.
Spotlight on the Wings – In Conversation with Best Supporting Actor Nominees
The first event of the In Conversation series, “Spotlight on the Wings,” was hosted by renowned director Lawrence Kan and featured three Best Supporting Actor nominees at the 18th Asian Film Awards: LEE Kang-Sheng from Stranger Eyes, Tommy CHU from The Last Dance, and Philip NG from Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. Together, they discussed how supporting characters can drive a film’s narrative.
In the pursuit of dreams, setbacks are inevitable, and the three actors feel the same way. NG reflected, “It’s part of the journey; without those challenges, I wouldn’t have grown the way I have. I believe everything happens for a reason.” CHU shared, “Although there were tough times, looking back, it’s a blessing. If I had the choice, I’d choose the success that follows overcoming challenges, as it makes success more meaningful.” LEE added, “Like many, I used to think success was far out of reach, but I now realize that with success comes failure. What matters most to me is continuing to act and move forward.”
They also shared their experiences in their nominated films. LEE talked about playing a stalker in Stranger Eyes, joking, “As an actor, I enjoy ‘spying’ on others.” He explained that observing people helps him shape his roles. NG discussed understanding his character’s psychology, like his portrayal of the villain in Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In: “I wondered why my character was so extravagant. It turns out it’s because of deep insecurity.” CHU shared how external elements, especially costumes, affect his performance: “In The Last Dance, wearing the Zhongshan suit helped me feel the character’s weight. Every step I took, I could feel the air flowing through the sleeves, which helped me connect with the role.” Despite their varied roles, all three actors agreed that every performance, lead or supporting, is crucial to a film’s success.
Shaping Tomorrow’s Cinema – In Conversation with Best New Director Nominees
“In Conversation: New Horizons of Cinema” focused on the creative journeys of young directors. Three nominees for Best New Director — SORA Neo from Happyend, DONG Zijian from My Friend An Delie, and TRUONG Minh Quý from Viêt and Nam — joined renowned Hong Kong film critic Clarence TSUI to discuss their experiences in filmmaking.
Many are curious about how they choose their stories. When discussing their creative process, all three directors agreed that the stories seemed to “choose” them rather than the other way around. DONG shared, “I was deeply moved by the sincere friendship and emotions in the novel My Friend An Delie, which reminded me of my own childhood, living each day with hope. That’s when I decided to adapt it into a film.” SORA described Happyend as a reflection of his personal emotions and memories, which have shaped his work and will continue to inspire his artistic journey.
Starting out as new directors, they all faced challenges, and they shared their valuable experiences. SORA humorously mentioned, “The best advice I can give to new directors is to set deadlines.” TRUONG reflected on his work in Viêt and Nam, saying, “There’s no ‘perfect’ script standard, so don’t get too caught up in it—just keep trying.” He also encouraged new filmmakers to keep making films, even with limited resources, learning and growing with each project.
The discussion gave the audience an insight into the passion of the new generation of Asian directors and a deeper understanding of their innovative approaches to filmmaking.
Painting on the Cinematic Canvas – In Conversation with Best Production Design Nominees
In ‘Painting on the Cinematic Canvas,’ the focus was on film production design, with veteran art directors Huo Tingxiao, nominated for Best Production Design for Black Dog, and Kenneth Mak, nominated for Best Production Design for Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, joining renowned Hong Kong art director Man Lim Chung, who hosted the discussion on creating cinematic worlds.
Huo shared his transition from art school to film production, explaining, “I initially aspired to be a painter at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, but by chance, I started working in film, and was fortunate to collaborate with director Chen Kaige.” He emphasised the high level of pressure in the industry, stating, “Film art requires immense resilience—only those who can handle the stress will thrive in this field.” Reflecting on the creative challenges in film art design, he noted, “Every film’s art direction must align with the emotions and atmosphere of the story, as this is an essential part of the film’s language.”
Mak, sharing on his experience recreating a historically significant location as a set in Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, explaining, “We must deeply understand a character’s personality to create a believable and vibrant cinematic world.” He also shared that while designing the Kowloon Walled City’s structure, he wanted the characters to move freely within the space, helping to shape their personalities while making the environment more authentic. For example, in a chase scene where the character leaps from one building to another, this movement design gave the audience insight into the character’s background and the Walled City’s functioning.
They also encouraged aspiring production designers, stating, “To succeed in this industry, you must love film and have an unwavering passion for it.”
Composing the Notes of Cinema – In Conversation with Best Original Music Nominees
The final session of the In Conversation series, “Composing the Notes of Cinema”, brought together four talented composers nominated for Best Original Music at the 18th Asian Film Awards — KIM Tae-seong from Exhuma, KATSUMOTO Michiaki from The Box Man, Hi’Spec from All the Long Nights, and Wan Pin CHU from The Last Dance — to share their experiences of creating original film scores. They discussed how they use music to heighten emotional tension and enhance a film’s atmosphere.
Kim highlighted that the key to his music composition is making the audience believe in the emotions conveyed by the film, rather than just creating a sense of fear. He noted, “Music is often refined through reduction; the more you experiment, the more unexpected surprises emerge.” KATSUMOTO shared how he uses contrasting quiet and intense shifts in music to create a sense of chaos. Hi’Spec recalled on composing the score for All the Long Nights without watching the footage first, emphasising the importance of communication with the director. Meanwhile, WAN shared how he started composing for The Last Dance during production and discussed the connection between music composition and technology.
This session offered the audience a deeper understanding of the diverse ways in which music shapes the emotional and atmospheric impact of a film.
The “In Conversation” series wrapped up successfully on March 15, attracting a large crowd of both fans and professionals. Each session explored different facets of filmmaking, offering the audience a better understanding of the film production process while providing a valuable platform for creators to connect and share ideas.
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