Jury panelists keen to discover new talent that will drive Asian movies

The international jury panelists for the Asian New Talent Award shared their thoughts and ideas about Asian cinema as well as encouraging young filmmakers at the 17th Shanghai International Film Festival yesterday.

The panel is chaired by South Korean director Kang Je-kyu, and includes New Zealand director and screenwriter Vincent Ward, Taiwanese actress and producer Lieh Lee, Chinese actress Yan Bingyan and Philippine director Adolfo Alix, Jr.

The jury will assess the nine competing films and vote for three awards: Best Director, Best Picture and Jury Prix.

Kang directed the 1999 film Shiri that achieved both financial and critical success, captivating 6.5 million viewers and becoming the most watched film in South Korea. In 2004 his film Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War rewrote the box office records again, drawing 12 million people.

“I come to Shanghai this time to see the growth of films. Together we will select the great works fairly and discover new directors,” Kang said at the jury press conference.

Ward is best known for his 1998 film What Dreams May Come which won an Academy Award for visual effects. He said Asian cinema is at a very interesting stage involving much exchange with the rest of the world.

“The eyes of the world are on Asia and China, and there is a lot more cultural exchange in cinema,” Ward said.

"To be part of the growth of new Asian cinema through this award is very pleasing to me. I know these films have a greater chance of reaching the rest of the world than many Chinese and Asian films before them.”

Alix said from his own perspective as a filmmaker, he’s excited to see new films coming from new directors.

The award ceremony will be held on Friday, June 20.