Jakarta, 26 August 2022 – Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) is pleased to announce our second annual collaboration in joining Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) to host an exciting program to promote outstanding Asian cinema.
The program — Asian Cinerama — Hong Kong Focus — will run from Thursday 15 Sept to Sunday 18 September at Plaza Indonesia XXI, Jakarta. Asian Cinerama is supported by Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) and Film Development Fund (FDF), and, this year, showcases an impressive selection of six (6) current releases from established and promising young directors.
Asian Cinerama features:
- SHADOWS (2020) Director: Glenn Chan
A forensic psychiatrist with a special power to see into people’s subconscious mind treats a social worker who, after killing his family, attempts suicide. - MADALENA (2021) Director: Emily Chan
In the city of Macau. Mada who suffers from amnesia works the graveyard shift as a taxi driver. One night, he picks up Lena and a friendship develops finally bringing some color into Mada’s life. - ANITA (2021) Director: Longman Leung
Hong Kong’s queen of Canto pop, Anita Mui was the very definition of a cultural icon during the eighties and nineties. Her career began when she was a mere 4 years old. Hers is a life entirely dedicated to music. - TABLE FOR SIX (2022) Director: Sunny Chan
It might be that food brings families together, but in this melodramatic comedy it’s clear not all family gatherings are a cause for celebration. In this feature, we follow three brothers living together in a home inherited from their late parents. - CHILLI LAUGH STORY (2022) Director: Coba Cheng
A family quickly realizes that the post COVID-19 work from home routine might drive them insane. That is, until their mother’s homemade chili sauce becomes an online business sensation. - RAGING FIRE (2021) Director: Benny Chan
While conducting a raid to arrest a drug lord, the police are interrupted by masked thugs who steal the drugs and murder the police officers on the scene. Inspector Bong is devastated to discover that the cop killers are led by a former fellow cop.
All films are shown in original Cantonese/Mandarin with Indonesian and English subtitles.
“It is a great honor,” said director, Glenn Chan, “to have SHADOWS chosen by Bali International Film Festival as the opening film for the Asian Film Awards Academy’s Asian Cinerama, Jakarta. It was both exciting and overwhelming to helm a Hong Kong film as my directorial debut. Exciting because much of my childhood was dedicated to watching old classic Hong Kong movies. Now, I get to make one”.
Over a thousand film enthusiasts and industry professionals are expected to attend the 4-day program specially curated to entertain a wide variety of audiences with a combination of thriller, action, drama, and family comedy. Asian Cinerama is the first collaborative event on the Road to Balinale 2023.
Pre-registration is essential: https://www.balinale.com/festival/
Please get in touch with Balinale’s press team for further information:
E: press@balinale.com W: www.balinale.com
For more information on Asian Cinerama visit: https://www.afa-academy.com/asian-cinerama/
Asian Film Awards Academy website: www.afa-academy.com
Asian Cinerama
Asian Cinerama, the flagship roadshow of Asian Film Awards Academy, has been successfully held in Hong Kong and at overseas film festivals since 2015. Asian Cinerama introduces great Asian films to people from all over the world with the objective of reaching a wider audience, through both online and offline screenings, expanding the film market within Asia, and demonstrating the work of film industries in a variety of by promoting cultural exchange and diversity through film. Create Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Film Development Fund are financial supporters of the program.
Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA)
Asian Films Awards Academy is a non-profit organization founded by Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo International Film Festivals with the shared goal of celebrating excellence in Asian cinema. AAFA aims to promote and recognize Asian films and talent, by highlighting, strengthening and developing Asian film industry through the annual Asian Film Awards and several year-round initiatives that build and sustain connections among Hong Kong and international film professional through their Masterclass Series – in conversation with filmmakers, Journey to the Fest – Student Visit to International Film Festivals, Asian Cinerama – Film Roadshow, and Young Film Professionals Programme – overseas training and work-placement.
Bali International Film Festival (Balinale)
Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) was established in 2007 and is recognized internationally for its varied programming of global independent and Indonesian cinema. The festival is known for its significant promotion of Indonesian film and further developing its creative industries through global industry events, film associations, and established affiliations Balinale invites foreign filmmakers to explore Indonesia for potential co-production opportunities. Balinale is endorsed by the National and Provincial Governments for its proven efforts in delivering cultural, civic, and economic benefits to the country.
Create Hong Kong (CreateHK)
CreateHK is a dedicated office set up under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to lead, champion and drive the development of the creative economy in Hong Kong. It coordinates governmental policy and effort regarding creative industries, focuses governmental resources to promote and further the development of creative industries in Hong Kong. CreateHK works closely with the trade to boost the development of creative industries.
Film Development Fund (FDF)
The Film Development Fund, set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1999, funds projects and activities which contribute towards the development of the Hong Kong film industry. This includes part-financing small-to-medium budget film productions; enhancing efforts to promote Hong Kong films in the Mainland and overseas; enhancing initiatives to train talents in various aspects of film production and distribution; and enhancing the interest and appreciation of Hong Kong films by the local audience.