Marco Mueller, the prominent film festival organiser and movie director, is collaborating with the Macao Government to launch a brand new film festival in the city from 5 to 11 January, according to reports in film industry media.
The Asia-Europe Young Cinema Festival aims to be a platform to link the mainland Chinese market for arthouse films with independent producers and other service providers in Europe and Asia. The festival also hopes to promote film education and nurture new talents in China through various programs, including masterclasses with renowned directors such as Japan’s Hamaguchi Ryusuke and Iran’s Amir Naderi.
A total of around 20 films made in Macao, Hong Kong and the mainland are to be screened at the festival. Work from the filmmakers hosting the masterclasses will also be presented.
Speaking to Deadline, Mueller said, “On the one side we are trying to honour new talents and on the other side we will be showing films that already have confirmed release dates. We will also have a training camp devised for students and young film lovers from Macao, Hong Kong and China.”
[See more: Calling all local filmmakers]
Approximately 30 Asian and European film sales companies are expected to showcase their film trailers and videos to buyers during the event.
This is not the first time Mueller has helped to organise a film festival in Macao. Back in 2016, he was the director of the inaugural Macao International Film Festival and Awards, although he resigned months before it opened.
In a recent interview with local media, Marco Mueller stated that he has “a long history with Macao,” noting that “the first time I came to Macao to discuss the possibility of creating a large scale international event was back in 1994.”
