The 3rd International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao (IFFAM) will be staged from 8th to 14th December this year.  With the aim to further enhance Macao’s reputation in the international film industry as well as to boost Macao tourism development, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) supported local film director Tracy Choi to take her movie “Sisterhood” to participate in activities in tandem with the Cannes Film Festival. During the Festival, Tracy Choi attended different exchange sessions where she met and exchanged ideas with international professional filmmakers, venturing into the global film industry and showcasing Macao as an ideal backdrop for films.

The 71st Cannes Film Festival was held from 8th to 19th May in France.  Aside from the highly anticipated competition section and award winners, 70 countries and regions have set up pavilions in the Village International, aiming to showcase their film industry development in this reputable film interchange platform.  Among the pavilions, the Village International˙China Pavilion offered a series of events, which included Chinese movie themed activity, Master Class, Panel Discussion, Pitching Session, screenings and more, devoted to promote Chinese film culture and boost international cooperation.  Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association (MFTPA) and Director Tracy Choi attended a series of exchange sessions during the festival so as to promote the International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao (IFFAM) as well as development of the Macao film industry.

A “Meet Macao by Her Culture Treasure” promotion session was held in the Village International˙China Pavilion on 14th May.  Riding on this opportunity, MGTO introduced the current Macao tourism situation to international film professionals. Through numerous scenes of films shot in Macao, including Hollywood movie “Now You See Me 2”, Hong Kong movies “Isabella” and “Casino Tycoon II”, among others, MGTO promoted a range of outdoor filming locations in the city, with Macao filmmaker Tracy Choi sharing her experiences in the session. In addition, Tracy Choi attended the “EURO CHINA WOMEN FILM FORUM: How Women Are Changing the Entertainment Business” together with Chairlady of Asia Pacific Famous Female Federation, Manli Wang, actresses Celina Jade and Chutimon Cheungcharoensukying, as well as other female film industry players to discuss the ways that women are influencing all areas of the business, from indie films to TV to mainstream movies through female film professionals’ point of view. Among the panelists, Celina Jade and Chutimon Cheungcharoensukying were both awardees of the Variety Asian Stars: Up Next Award of the International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao 2017.

The 2nd China New Force, organized by Movie View and initiated by Chinese actor, director and filmmaker Xu Zheng, was also held during the Cannes Film Festival, with Chinese actor and executive producer Huang Xiaoming and Best Leading Actress of the Golden Horse Film Awards Ma Sichun jointly acting as the China New Force Image Ambassadors. A recommendation committee formed by around 100 respected film critics selected 10 outstanding movies directed by young filmmakers of Chinese-language cinema. Among the 10 selected movies, 8 were pitching in the competition section while 2 were shown in the special presentation section. Macao film “Sisterhood” was selected among the 10 movies, which were screened in Paris at the beginning of May. On 17th May, “Sisterhood” was awarded the Jury Prize at the “Beijing Night” Beijing International Film Festival Promotion & 2nd China New Force Award Ceremony.

MGTO will continue to support a diversity of events and festivals to forge Macao into a city of events, while striving for the IFFAM to foster connections between Macao and international movie industry professionals, promote cultural tourism and cultural industry development, thus producing long-term benefits for the sustainable development of the tourism industry and the creative and cultural industries in Macao, with the aim to help the city to move forward and become a world centre of tourism and leisure.