Stage Buzz:Film: Asian First Film Festival 2009

The Asian Festival of 1st Films (AFFF) is running into its fifth year in Singapore, which is recognized as a well established hub for the performing arts in the region. It is the only festival of its kind that provides a platform for first time film makers of Asia Pacific origin to showcase their talent.

Over the years the festival has been graced by many distinguished guests from the film fraternity such as Anthony Wong and Cecilia Yip (Hong Kong celebrities), Fann Wong (Singaporean actress), Gina McKee (of Nottinghill fame), Jim Hart (Hollywood award winning scriptwriter for Dracula), Mira Nair (Indian American Director), Kunal Kohli and Mahesh Bhatt (well established Bollywood directors) among others. They have been on Their selection committees and jury panel and also attended their nomination and Gala award nights. Besides this the festival attracts filmmakers, industry professionals, media, and local enthusiasts alike.

AFFF welcomes you to collaborate with them in promoting the Film and Arts Industry and can offer opportunities for businesses to partner with them for this annual event. There are various levels of sponsorships which can be customized to accommodate your company’s special marketing objectives, states AFFF.

This year, documentaries and films will be awarded across 11 categories including Producers, Directors, Actors, Screenplay writers and Technicians by people of Asia - Pacific origin.

You can schedule your visit to Singapore from 28th Nov to 4th Dec 2009 to enjoy some of the best movies from across the world being showcased for the first time.

If you are a first time film maker you can submit your films as entries are being accepted now for for the AFFF . Details of the procedure are given in lower sections of this article

About Teamwork productions

The promoters - Teamwork Productions is a versatile entertainment company, with roots in the performing arts, social action, and the corporate world. Teamwork Films, India: Teamwork Productions Singapore: Teamwork Films Pvt Ltd UK: Friends of Music and TWF Arts Society and liaison offices in Hong Kong and New York have initiated a wide range of projects in Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, UK and USA.

Their expertise lies in the area of Entertainment including Television, Film - documentary and features, Event Management, Social Communication, Creation and Development of Contemporary Performing and Visual Arts Festivals across the world and in nurturing new talent across arts forms.

Teamwork Films has been instrumental in establishing Friends of Music, a pioneering forum for promoting new bands, performers, and musicians. They have produced the Khajuraho Millennium Celebrations & Music Festival, Annual performing arts festivals in Europe, Singapore (Kalaa Utsavam) & Indonesia, an annual season of performing arts across the UK, The Festival of the Great Arc & the annual Ishara International Puppet Theatre Festival. They have programmed extensively in collaboration with The Edinburgh International & Fringe Festival, Vallodolid International Film Festival Spain, & International Festivals in Perth, Wellington, Madrid & New York establishing a platform for Indian arts in these cities.

Asian Festival of 1st Films, an annual Film and Documentary Festival to celebrate excellence for first time producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, actors and documentary makers from the Asian Pacific Diaspora in Singapore is produced by Teamwork.

The grand finale of the Arts Festival for the Commonwealth Games ‘Bollywood at the Bowl’ featuring Sunidhi Chauhan was specially produced for Festival Melbourne 2006 by Teamwork. They also produce specialized shows for corporate clients & present mega shows featuring Bollywood superstars across the world.

Festival Process

1. Selection will take place worldwide as determined by the Festival Directorate
2. After the selection process the directorate will shortlist films in each of the following categories:

a.Best Film (Producer or Director)
b.Best Director
c.Best Producer
d.Best Cinematographer or Editor
e.Best Female Actor
f.Best Male Actor
g.Best Script/Screenplay
h.Best Documentary
i.Best Director of Documentary
j.Foreign Correspondents Association Choice Award
k.Best Short Film Award

4.The films will be screened at the Asian Festival of 1st Films to be held from 28th Nov to 4th Dec 2009.
5.Nominations will be announced in Singapore and posted on our web site in November 2009. Subsequent contact will be made with the nominees.
6.An international jury composed of eminent film personalities, appointed by the Festival Directorate, will determine the winners in each of the defined categories.
7.The decisions of the jury will be full and final.
8.Awards will be announced at a ceremony to be held on 4th December 2009 in Singapore to be telecast across the region.

For further details and information you can contact Karishma Khanna at

karishma@teamworkprod.com or +65 81189144 or visit the website

http://www.asianfirstfilms.com/

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Sanjoy Roy

FESTIVAL PRODUCER
Shweta Asnani

SECRETARIAT
Ila Gupta
Karishma Khanna
Sheuli Sethi
Suraj Dhingra
Vasundhara Mehta

PRESS AND PR
ROI Markerting Consultants

Award Winners of AFFF 2008

Best Short Film
The Great Identity Swindle by Nikesh Shukla (UK)

Best Screenplay
Nandita Das for "Firaaq"(India)

Best Cinematographer
Ali Mohammad for "Khuda Ke Liye" (Pakistan)

Best Actor Male
Bosco Francis in "My Magic" (Singapore)

Best Actor Female
Jia Xuhua in "The Mountain & The Song" (China)

Best Documentary
"Attitude" (Taiwan) produced by Blackie Chen

Best Director Of Documentary
Bill Yip, for "Peeking Through ChungKing Mansions" (Hong Kong)

Foreign Correspondents Association "Purple Orchid" Award for the Best Film
"Firaaq" (India)

Best Producer
William Ho-HON Tam and Angel HON for A Decade of Love.(Hong Kong) &
Dinaz Stafford, Sooni Taraporevala and Vandana Malik for "Little Zizou" (India)

Best Director
Dante Nico Garcia for "Ploning" (Philippines)

Best Film
"Firaaq" (India)