The 2^nd International Film Festival & Awards·Macao (IFFAM) will be held from 8^th to 14^th December this year. The IFFAM Organizing Committee announced the theme - 'A New Avenue to the World of Films' - plus the line up of the new International Professional Team as well as other details during the Kick-Off Ceremony on 16^th June. Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Artistic Director of IFFAM Mike Goodridge, and Talent Ambassador Miriam Yeung attended the event among other prestigious guests.

In her speech, the President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, expressed that in recent years the Macao SAR Government had dedicated efforts to developing a variety of products and events in order to provide diverse tourism experiences for visitors.

Last year's inaugural IFFAM was widely recognized by the film industry from home and abroad, further raising Macao's international profile in addition to enriching the cultural offerings of Macao. With a new International Professional Team on board this year, the Organizing Committee hopes to deliver a high quality and fresh new event via innovative measures.

This year, IFFAM will incorporate new features and gastronomic elements, offering a new theme and perspective for the industry and audiences to experience the Film Festival, while at the same time enhancing the event's professionalism and impact, to further elevate the recognition of the Festival, as well as expanding the audience group.

The Organizing Committee and the International Professional Team have embarked upon the preparations of the 2^nd IFFAM, and will invite local and international media representatives, international buyers, directors, talent, producers, distributors, investors and key persons from major film festivals around the world to attend.

Organizing Committee & International Professional Team

The IFFAM Organizing Committee comprises government representatives, film professionals and more. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes takes up the role of President, while President of MFTPA, Alvin Chau, President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leong Hio Ming, and President of the Management Committee of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, José Tavares, are serving as Executive Vice Presidents of the IFFAM Organizing Committee.

The International Professional Team for IFFAM comprises the Artistic Director, Head of Festival Management, Ambassadors, International Advisory Board as well as Film Selection Consultants. Mike Goodridge, who has served as a jury member for over 25 international film festivals, has been appointed Artistic Director, while the Head of Festival Management is Lorna Tee.

The International Advisory Board consists of five film experts from Europe, the United States and Asia, including Chinese film director and producer Huang Jianxin, American film producer Michael J. Werner, Korean producer Oh Jung-wan, producer and distribution expert from Hong Kong, Nansun Shi, and famous Portuguese producer Luís Urbano.

IFFAM's rich and diverse programme

The fascinating programme of this year's IFFAM includes:

Competition: An international competition comprising 10 feature films. A jury of five film personalities will appraise and award the best film works;

Gala: Three of the most important films of the year will be presented out of competition, in a series of red-carpet presentations;

Flying Daggers: A selection of six films representing the latest style of genre cinema in Asia;

Best of Fest Panorama: Screening eight award-winning feature films from major international film festivals of the year;

For all the family: A selection of films for families to enjoy a unique and novel screening experience;

'Crossfire': Six genre films selected by three Asian and three non-Asian master filmmakers;

IFFAM Industry Hub: Industry professionals will be tapped to participate or present in film forums and the International Film Lab Macao;

Master classes: International film professionals will be invited to share their experience with local audiences and members of the industry;

BFI Film Academy Project: Professional lecturers from the British Film Institute (BFI) will conduct a training programme on film production for local youths who are interested in joining the film industry. The team will produce a micro film together.

Summary of 1^st IFFAM

During the Kick-Off Ceremony, the IFFAM Organizing Committee will present the summary report of the 1^st IFFAM, which saw the screening of 54 films, the participation of 264 international film industry professionals, and 339 local and international media. Five Master Classes were organized with 479 participants, while six outreach activities and 19 press conferences were held.

Media coverage included Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, the United States, the UK, the Republic of Ireland and others, as well as Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan region.