New Talent Jury: Looking for the Best in Asia

The international jury for the Asian New Talent Award shared their thoughts and stories about Asian cinema at a press conference yesterday before the opening of the 14th Shanghai International Film Festival.

Jury panel members this year include Japanese director Shunji Iwai, UK film critic Derek Elley, Taiwan China actress Guey Lun Mei, Hong Kong China producer Alex Law, and Chinese actor Xia Yu.

The Asian New Talent Award will celebrate the Best Director, Best Picture and Jury Prix awards. A total of nine films are competing this year, including Iranian film The Day Goes and the Night Comes, Japanese production Birth Right, and Chinese film The Devil Inside Me.

Derek Elley has been watching and writing about East Asian cinema for almost 40 years and visiting China regularly for over 25 years.

"I think in general, the difference between Asian cinema and Western cinema is that the Asian cinema celebrates life, and Western cinema celebrates mostly death." Elley said.

First-time jury member Guey Lun Mei, was overwhelmed by the opportunity to be on the panel.

"It\'s a great learning experience for me," Guey said. "I believe we can select excellent new directors through our own understandings and feelings, and provide them with more opportunities through this award." the actress added.

The jury members also shared stories about their own first encounters with films.