BRING YOUR SHORT FILM TO LIFE!
• Pitch your short film project on the theme of “When Strangers Meet”
• 16 successful applicants will spend a week in Macau in mid-September 2025 (travel and accommodation provided).
- • Enjoy one-on-one mentoring with industry professionals.
- • Participate in masterclasses and panels to enhance your filmmaking skills.
- • Network with veterans and peers
- • Engage in pitching sessions to present your ideas.
- • Eight winners will receive HK$300,000 (approx. US$38,000) each to create their short film, with a length of 15-20 minutes.
- • Complete the short film by December 2026.
- • Opportunity to screen at international film festivals.
International Film Camp:
Date: September 18 to 22, 2026
Internation Film Camp Introduction
International Film Camp (IFC), a groundbreaking initiative aims to nurture and empower the next generation of Asian filmmakers. Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy, with support of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the Film Development Fund (FDF) of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and Sands China Limited, and Shaw Studios as sponsors, the IFC will provide a unique platform for emerging filmmakers to interact with industry professionals, gain valuable insights into the creative and commercial aspects of cinema, and receive production funding and distribution opportunities through the Asian Film Awards Academy.
Scheduled to take place from September 18 to 22, 2026, at the integrated resorts operated by Sands China, the IFC promises to be a transformative experience for aspiring filmmakers. Open to talented individuals aged 21 to 40 from Hong Kong, Macao, Greater China, and the wider Asian region, the camp will offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance their skills and knowledge.
One of the key highlights of the IFC is the opportunity for participants to submit proposals for a short narrative fiction film centered around the theme of “When Strangers Meet”. Applicants will be required to submit a treatment, director’s statement, and production plan, along with a five-minute sample reel of work or works directed by the applicant. A select group of around 30 candidates will be shortlisted for online interviews conducted by a distinguished panel of industry experts. Ultimately, 16 filmmakers will be chosen to attend the IFC.
Content
During the Camp, film industry professionals will be appointed as mentors to share their valuable experiences with the participants. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to engage in panel discussions and masterclasses covering various aspects of the industry, such as directing, scriptwriting, editing, producing, funding, distribution, and more. This will provide valuable insights and knowledge to enhance their understanding of the film industry.
At the end of the camp, the 16 filmmakers will pitch their short film projects to a panel which will then award 8 filmmakers a production grant of HK$300,000 (approx. US$38,000) each to make their short film.
To promote the works of the emerging filmmakers and enable their projects to reach a wider audience. The Asian Film Awards Academy will curate feature-length anthologies of the short films produced during the IFC and, showcase them in its prestigious Asian Cinerama annual touring programme. Additionally, the Asian Film Awards Academy will be ready to assist filmmakers in submitting their individual short films to relevant film festivals, amplifying their reach and exposure within the industry.
Calling all interested applicants to join the 2026 International Film Camp, submit your applications for the following programme now!
REQUIREMENTS AND CONTENT OF THE IFC
16 participants of the IFC will attend a 5-day camp in Macau from September 18 to 22, 2026.
By mid-August, participants are required to send English scripts of their short films to be shared with IFC mentors for discussion during the camp.
During the IFC, participants will attend one-on-one sessions with mentors to discuss their short film projects, as well as workshops and masterclasses hosted by experienced filmmakers on the creative and business aspects of the film industry. Participants are expected to gain knowledge and insights that will help them rewrite their scripts. By the end of the 5-day camp, all participants will pitch their projects to the jury, who will then select 8 projects, each to be awarded HKD 300,000 in funding to produce their short films.
Throughout the duration of the IFC, photographs and videos will be taken by AFAA’s official crew for publicity purposes.
Ownership of the written materials produced during the IFC will belong solely to the participant.
The short film projects selected for production funding must indicate the support of the International Film Camp (IFC), Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA), Sands China Limited (SCL), the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, and Film Development Fund (FDF) in any subsequent project materials. Logos of AFAA, SCL, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, and FDF should be included in project materials and credits of the finished films, along with the caption “Supported by the International Film Camp.”
Eligibility:
• Applicant must be of the Asian nationality or origin;
• Applicant must be between the age of 21 to 40;
• Applicant should not have made more than ONE feature-length film before;
• Applicant must have prior experience in making films, and demonstrate a talent and potential in film through short films and/or other video works;