The 55th Asia Pacific Film Festival (APFF) will take place in Macau for the first time. Set for December 13-16 at the Venetian Macau-Resort-Hotel, around 55 films from different countries will be screened. During yesterday’s press conference at the Venetian, which will be the grand sponsor of the festival, Eric Tsang Chi-Wai, executive chairman of the organizing committee said it was “a dream come true”. “Macau is a great city and although it’s small, its entertainment industry is getting more and more successful.” The Venetian executive hopes the festival can help to promote the city’s entertainment industry to the world. This year’s theme is “The new starting line”, which means that APFF is becoming more international. At the end of the festival, awards will be given in the categories “best picture”, “best director”, “best actor”, “best sound”, “best cinematography”, “special contribution” and others.
President and chief executive officer of Sands China Ltd. Mr Edward Tracy wished the film festival every success, saying, “The APFF with its 54 years of history witnessed many major milestones of the Asian motion picture industry. It is an important vehicle for cultural exchange in the region and for promoting its motion pictures to the world. Hosting the festival will contribute towards the Macau government’s goal of establishing Macau as world center of tourism and leisure and one of the top entertainment hubs in Asia.” What’s more, the chief executive officer considers the territory to be “a very good place for people to come and make films.” This year’s lineup has not yet been revealed, but there will be around 55 films from countries such as China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Macau and Hong Kong. APFF was first created in 1954 by 23 members from different countries, including “one from Macau”, said the festival’s secretary, Elvis Hau.