Journey to the Fest: First Visit to a European Film Festival
Students travel to Italy for the 27th Far East Film Festival, where they explored diverse international films and connected with filmmakers from around the world.
The Asian Film Awards Academy once again held its Journey to the Fest programme — and for the first time, brought students to Europe. From April 24 to May 1, 2025, a group of students travelled to Udine, Italy, to attend the 27th Far East Film Festival. Supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDAHK) and the Film Development Fund, the week offered more than just screenings: students joined post-film talks, industry panels, pitching sessions, and networking events. The experience gave them a close-up look at the global film industry and a chance to witness how warmly Asian cinema is received by European audiences.
Attending Festival Screenings
Date: April 24 – May 1, 2025
During the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy, students had the opportunity to watch over fifteen films from across Asia, including feature-length narratives, short films, and restored classics. The programme featured works from Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and more, showcasing the diversity of storytelling styles and cinematic aesthetics across the region.
Students experienced firsthand the enthusiasm of European audiences for Asian cinema, with frequent standing ovations creating a powerful and emotional atmosphere. Screenings took place at the Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine, a grand four-tier theatre. The impressive venue, combined with the audience’s spirited response, left students with a deeply impactful and memorable viewing experience.
Exchange with FEFF Campus Participants
Date: April 24, 2025
Location: Ristorante Pizzeria Al Gelso
Guests: Mathew Scott (film critic and journalist, The Hollywood Reporter), FEFF Campus participants: Cecy PARK (South Korea), Jane WEI (Mainland China), Jade WONG (Hong Kong), Do Ha LAN (Vietnam), Daryl CHEONG (Singapore), Maria SIRNOVA (Ukraine), Ruby POWER (Ireland), Gijs SUY (Netherlands), Giulia ADAMI (Italy), Eliska NODLOVA (Czech Republic), Emma MATTIUSSI (Italy)
At the start of the programme, the JTTF students met with participants from the FEFF Campus in an informal exchange session. The FEFF Campus is the festival’s educational initiative aimed at nurturing aspiring professionals in the media and film industries. This year’s cohort included eleven emerging film talents from across Asia and Europe.
The gathering was also joined by FEFF Campus lead Mathew Scott, a veteran film critic who has written extensively for The Hollywood Reporter and South China Morning Post. He generously shared insights from his career covering international film festivals and reflected on the evolving landscape of film criticism and media.
Held in a relaxed setting at a local restaurant, the event fostered lively conversation. Students and Campus participants engaged in deep dialogue about their cultural backgrounds, creative journeys, and perspectives on cinema. Many forged meaningful cross-cultural friendships during the evening. The exchange not only broadened students’ global outlook but also laid the foundation for potential international collaborations and future cultural dialogue.
Far East Film Festival Opening Ceremony
Date: April 24, 2025
Location: Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine
Guests: XU Lei (director), Maris RACAL (actress), DONG Zijian (director and actor), E.oni (director), YAGUCHI Shinobu (director), JOJO Hideo (director), Anderson LE (Artistic Director, Hawaii International Film Festival), Paolo BERTOLIN (producer, selection committee of Venice Film Festival), Anchalee CHAIWORAPORN (film critic), Antoinette JADAONE (director), Mark SCHILLING (critic and author), among others.
On the second day of their visit, the students attended the Opening Ceremony of the Far East Film Festival (FEFF). The evening was vibrant and celebratory, drawing a wide array of prominent guests including filmmakers, curators, and media representatives from across the world. Festival founder and president Sabrina BARACETTI delivered a heartfelt speech on stage, expressing her deep passion for Asian cinema and reaffirming the festival’s long-standing commitment to fostering intercultural understanding and exchange.
Following the ceremony, students watched the festival’s opening film, Green Wave, directed by Chinese filmmaker XU Lei. The film uses light humor to explore the struggles faced by young filmmakers as they navigate the tension between ideals and reality, offering both laughter and reflection.
After the screening, students engaged in lively discussions about the film’s themes, tone, and their personal interpretations. The night concluded with a special moment outside the theatre, where students had the chance to meet and take photos with director XU Lei, festival president Sabrina BARACETTI, and co-founder Thomas BERTACCHE.
Film Talk: Chinese Cinema
Date: April 26, 2025
Location: Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine
Guests: DONG Zijian (director and actor), XU Lei (director), Ben HUANG Yeqi (producer)
Moderator: Maria RUGGIERI (film curator and distributor)
This special panel on Chinese cinema featured three notable guests: DONG Zijian, nominated for Best New Director at the Asian Film Awards for My Friend An Delie; the film’s producer Ben HUANG Yeqi; and XU Lei, director of this year’s opening film Green Wave.
Each speaker offered unique insights into the current landscape of Chinese cinema, discussing creative, performance, and production perspectives. Their experiences highlighted both the challenges and opportunities facing filmmakers in contemporary China.
As part of the program, students also attended a screening of My Friend An Delie, further deepening their understanding of the themes and contexts discussed during the talk.
Film Talk: Philippine Cinema
Date: April 26, 2025
Location: Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine
Guests: Maris RACAL (actress), Antoinette JADAONE (director)
Moderator: Don JAUCIAN (writer and editor)
Students also attended a dedicated panel on Philippine cinema, focusing on Sunshine, a buzzworthy film that was selected for the Berlinale. The session featured director Antoinette Jadaone and lead actress Maris Racal—two of the most prominent figures in contemporary Philippine cinema.
Sunshine tackles pressing and sensitive issues in Filipino society, including religious beliefs, abortion debates, and the struggles of the younger generation. During the talk, the director and actress discussed the challenges they faced in the filmmaking process and shared their vision of using cinema as a medium to spark societal dialogue.
After the session, students had the opportunity to speak directly with the guests, sharing their thoughts and reflections on the film, and asking questions about screenwriting and production practices. The experience offered valuable insight into how cinema can serve as a powerful vehicle for social commentary, inspiring students to reflect on their own creative responsibilities and modes of expression.
Film Talk: Japanese Cinema
Date: April 27, 2025
Location: Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine
Guests: YAGUCHI Shinobu (director), JOJO Hideo (director), YOSHIDA Daihachi (director)
Moderator: Mark SCHILLING (film critic and writer)
This special talk on Japanese cinema brought together three prominent figures in contemporary Japanese film: YAGUCHI Shinobu, JOJO Hideo, and YOSHIDA Daihachi. All three directors were featured filmmakers at this year’s FEFF, each presenting their latest films during the festival screenings.
The session explored the directors’ creative journeys and stylistic evolution. They discussed their approaches to script development, visual storytelling, and thematic exploration, covering a wide range of genres from psychological thrillers to surreal narratives.
Particularly noteworthy was YOSHIDA Daihachi, whose film Teki Cometh, which earned him Best Director at the Asian Film Awards, drew considerable interest. The event was met with great enthusiasm from the audience, sparking in-depth conversations about cinematic form and personal vision.
Film Talk: Asian Box Office – The Year in Review
Date: April 27, 2025
Location: Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine
Guests: Patrick FRATER (film critic, Asia Editor at Variety), Liz SHACKLETON (film critic, founder of Streamlined)
Moderator: Mathew SCOTT (film critic, journalist at The Hollywood Reporter)
Students attended a special industry talk reviewing the state of the Asian box office in 2024. Three seasoned film journalists shared in-depth insights into box office performance and industry trends across Asia, highlighting the post-pandemic recovery and prospects for the region’s film markets.
The talk featured renowned international critics Patrick FRATER, Asia Editor at Variety, and Liz SHACKLETON, founder of Streamlined and former editor at Screen International and Deadline. With extensive experience in global film journalism and market analysis, both speakers offered valuable perspectives on the business side of cinema.
This session provided students with a deeper understanding of the economic and cultural dynamics behind film as an industry and offered a comprehensive overview of the current landscape in Asian cinema.
City Tour of Udine
Date: April 28, 2025
Location: Udine, Italy
During their time at the festival, students explored some of Udine’s key historical and cultural landmarks, including a visit to the Castello di Udine. The tour offered insights into the city’s rich heritage and the broader historical context of Italy.
In a delightful twist, students unexpectedly encountered members of two Taiwanese films, including The Uniform director CHUANG Ching-shen and actress Buffy CHEN Yan-fei, as well as Organ Child director CHIEH Shueh Bin and actress Moon LEE. The chance meeting allowed for brief conversations and group photos, adding an unexpected and memorable highlight to the cultural excursion.
Film Talk: Japan–Philippines Co-Production
Date: April 28, 2025
Location: Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine
JTTF participants attended a special talk on Diamonds in the Sand, a Japan–Philippines co-production. Guest speakers included director Janus VICTORIA, acclaimed Japanese actor Lily FRANKY, and producer Lorna TEE.
Director Janus VICTORIA shared insights into the creative process behind the film, while Lily FRANKY spoke about his cultural experiences filming in both Japan and the Philippines. Producer Lorna TEE offered valuable advice for emerging directors navigating the international film landscape.
After the talk, students had the unique opportunity to meet and take photos with Lily FRANKY, engaging in casual exchanges that made the event especially memorable.
Focus Asia Industry Talk: Asia–Europe Co-Production Case Studies
Date: April 28, 2025
Location: Torre di Santa Maria, Udine
Students had the valuable opportunity to attend an industry talk hosted by Focus Asia, the project market section of the Far East Film Festival, gaining in-depth insights into the practicalities and behind-the-scenes process of Asia–Europe film co-productions.
The session featured a case study of Stranger Eyes, a film recognized at the Asian Film Awards. Producers Stefano CENTINI (Taiwan) and Fran BORGIA (Singapore) shared their experiences across financing, production, post-production, and festival strategies. The discussion was moderated by veteran French producer Christophe BRUNCHER.
Although designed primarily for industry professionals, students were granted special access to observe the session. This offered them a rare glimpse into the complexities behind crafting a successful international co-production. The event was also attended by notable Asian producers and filmmakers, including Justine O. (producer of Black Dog and Meeting with Pol Pot), Amanda TSENG (producer of Salli), and Hong Kong director Lawrence KAN. For many students, this marked their first encounter with the professional side of the festival circuit.
Focus Asia Industry Talk: A Walk Through Film Funds in Asia
Date: April 28, 2025
Location: Torre di Santa Maria, Udine
Students attended another highlight of the Focus Asia project market: the industry panel A Walk Through Film Funds in Asia, which provided a comprehensive overview of funding mechanisms available across different parts of Asia.
The panelists shared insights into how regional governments support local productions and international co-productions through various funding schemes. For students aspiring to enter the film and media industry, this session offered a valuable introduction to the financial structures that drive filmmaking and opened up possibilities for future creative projects.
Meet-and-Greet with the Montages of a Modern Motherhood Team
Date: April 30, 2025
Location: Mamm Ciclofocacceria
Guests: Oliver CHAN Siu Kuen (Director), Hedwig TAM (Actress)
The Academy arranged a special meeting for students with the director and lead actress of the Hong Kong film Montages of a Modern Motherhood, Oliver CHAN Siu Kuen and Hedwig TAM. In a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, the guests shared behind-the-scenes stories and reflections on the creative journey.
Director CHAN encouraged students with a phrase often used on set: “That’s good—let’s do another take!” emphasizing the importance of filming multiple versions to keep flexibility during editing. She also reminded students to stay true to themselves and their artistic vision, stressing the importance of holding on to their creative intent.
From an actor’s perspective, Hedwig spoke about how she approaches character development, noting that empathy is essential. “An actor must understand a character before portraying them, rather than rushing to judge them,” she said. The duo also discussed some of their own cinematic inspirations, including Korean director LEE Chang-dong and his acclaimed film Secret Sunshine.
Hong Kong Night
Date: April 30, 2025
Location: Palazzo Kechler
Guests: Sylvia CHANG (Director & Actress), Tony LEUNG Ka-fai (Actor), Jo KOO (Actress), Philip YUNG (Director), Anthony PUN (Director & Cinematographer), Lawrence KAN (Director), Natalie HSU (Actress), Hedwig TAM (Actress), Oliver CHAN Siu Kuen (Director), Jill LEUNG Lai Yin (Director), Eric NYARI (Producer), Dylan SO (Actor), Buffy CHEN Yan-fei (Actress), Moon LEE (Actress), and many more.
The student delegation took part in Hong Kong Night, gathering with a stellar lineup of distinguished guests from the Asian film industry. The event welcomed prominent figures such as Sylvia CHANG, Tony LEUNG Ka-fai, Philip YUNG, and Anthony PUN, creating a vibrant and warm atmosphere in Udine.
Students had the opportunity to take photos with industry icons including Sylvia CHANG, Tony LEUNG Ka-fai, and Natalie HSU. They also engaged in in-depth conversations about filmmaking and career planning with directors such as Director Lawrence KAN and Hing Weng Eric TSANG, receiving valuable advice. Some students even exchanged contact information with filmmakers, laying the groundwork for future industry connections.
The evening was both energetic and heartfelt. In a relaxed post-dinner session, students and guests enjoyed karaoke together, singing songs like “A.P.T.” and other beloved Hong Kong classics—bringing a perfect close to a memorable night of cinema celebration.
Please contact us if any questions,
Email: info@afa-academy.com
Tel: +852 3195 0609
Website: www.afa-academy.com
