Founded in 2013, the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFA Academy) continues to extend and strengthen its role as a major facilitator and advocate for Asian cinema through its annual Asian Film Awards (AFA) and year-round programs. Since last year, the Academy has kick-started a series of programs with partners around the region and the world to promote and develop Asian cinema through activities with film talents and audiences, including the Awards show, masterclasses, film roadshows, student visits and internship programs.

2015’s Journey to the Fest – Student Visit to the Busan International Film Festival, brought Hong Kong students of film and media-related disciplines to South Korea’s major film event. The young participants networked with peers and professionals from around the region, and found the trip “unforgettable” and helpful for their future career. Continuing this success, the AFA Academy had leaded a seven-day Student Visit to the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival (TGHFF) in 2016.

Initially established to promote Taiwanese cinema in 1962, the Taipei Golden Horse has evolved into a leading film awards ceremony and festival dedicated to Pan-Chinese cinema and a multi-faceted platform for international exchanges for film professionals and cineastes. In addition to watching films, meeting film professionals, attending the Golden Horse Awards’ Ceremony and Red Carpet, and participating in the Golden Horse Film Academy’s activities, the students will also visit the Taipei Film Institute, its film archive, and the Taipei International Documentary Festival to get a wider and deeper perspective of the importance and variety of Taiwanese cinema.