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(Appendix V)

Welcome Message from Dr. Wilfred Wong, GBS, JP, Chairman, Asian Awards Academy & International Society

The 12th – Press Conference

January 11, 2018 (Thursday)

Welcome Message from Dr. Wilfred Wong, GBS, JP,

Chairman, Asian Film Awards Academy & Hong Kong International Film Festival Society

Distinguished Guests, Partners, Media Friends and Industry Representatives,

Welcome to the Press Conference for the 12th Asian Film Awards, where we will celebrate the great work that the Asian Film Awards Academy did in 2017 and announce this year’s AFA nom- inations and jury.

This year, with support from Create Hong Kong, the AFA Academy sent FIVE young film profes- sionals to work placements in sound, visual effects and colour grading at renowned film studios Rotor , The Post Republic and Trixter in Berlin and Potsdam (Germany). We hope we can contribute more to the development of Hong Kong's post-production skills.

Last year, we also led 12 film and media-related HK students to the Busan International Film Fes- tival to explore the workings of the festival and market, and mingle with their peers and profes- sionals from around the world.

We presented three successful roadshows of AFA-nominated and winning films at film festivals - the Asian Film Festival in Hong Kong, Five Flavours Film Festival in Poland, and International Ker- ala Film Festival (India). While in Poland and India, we set up panel discussions on Hong Kong cinema and after screening Q and A with Hong Kong filmmakers. These included Ms. Heiward MAK Hei-yan (producer of MAD WORLD), Ms. LAM Wing-sum (writer of Soul Mate), and Mr. Andy LAW Yiu-fai (director of Happiness).

These programs are designed to develop audiences for Asian cinema around the world, and en- courage bridge building and networking among young professionals in Asian film industries. The highlight of our activities is to celebrate excellence in Asian cinema in our annual awards show. This year, the AFA will return to Macau, one of the most dynamic and innovative entertainment

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venues in Asian. This year our theme is to celebrate the martial arts in Asian cinema. TWO new awards, Best Action Film and Best New Director will be presented in the ceremony to recognize the action film as a cornerstone of the Asian , and the emergence of a generation of filmmakers across the region.

The ceremony will take place in the world-class entertainment venue – The Venetian Theatre in The Venetian Macao on 17 March, 2018. For this edition, 89 nominations are selected for 17 awards. The nominations represent 32 films from 10 countries and regions. On behalf of the AFA Academy, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Nominations Committee and Nom- inations Advisors for their dedication and hard work.

It is my great honor and privilege to announce that the Jury President of the 12th Asian Film Awards is the veteran Hong Kong filmmakers Mr. CHING Siu-Tung and one of the most influen- tial action director in Chinese cinema. He has won multiple best action choreography including the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Golden Horse Awards and has collaborated with many re- nowned film talents, including Johnnie TO, , Stephen CHOW, , , , etc.

I am most delighted to announce that the Celebrity Juror this year is Ms. . She won multiple best acting awards including the Hong Kong Film Awards, in China and the Three Continents Festival in France. Ms. Lau has collaborated with various re- nowned filmmakers and has filmed many remarkable films in Asia

Director Ching will lead a jury of professionals, hailing from different parts of Asia and bringing with them years of extensive experience in the industry. We thank them all for their dedication and expertise.

With film education as one of the main objectives of the AFA Academy, it is our great pleasure to announce our Student Ambassador of this year, Mr.LEE Jung-jin (South Korea) and Ms. Cherry NGAN Cheuk-Ling (Hong Kong) who will encourage and nurture new generations of film talents. Both of them have participated in various Asian films and collaborated with filmmakers in Hong Kong, , , South Korea, etc. Ngan was nominated for Best Supporting Ac- tress at 10th AFA, best actress at Hong Kong Film Awards and Taipei Golden Horse.

I would like to extend big thank you to our sponsor, our committed partners and supporters, whose contribution has been most important to the development of Asian cinema.

The 12th Asian Film Awards Ceremony will be held on March 17, 2018, Saturday evening, at the Venetian Theatre. I invite you all to the glamorous and wonderful evening.

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