Garcia to head HK Film Festival

Roger Garcia has been appointed executive director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (香港國際電影節). He replaces Shaw Soo-wei (邵素薇) who has been in the job since September 2008.

Garcia has been a strategic and programming consultant, adviser, curator and juror for many international film festivals in Europe, US and Asia. He was also previously director of the HKIFF in the late 1970s. He has also been a regular film critic.

Born in Hong Kong and currently based in Los Angeles, Garcia is also an active film producer. He recently produced Filipino director Raymond Red's Manila Skies (Himpapawid).

"As a pioneer in Asian film programming, Garcia has played a pivotal role in both the evolution of the [HKIFF] Society and the development of festivals globally," said Wilfred Wong, chairman of the HKIFFS. "He brings a deep understanding of the HKIFF brand and culture, the needs of the changing film economy and is the ideal successor to continue the recognition and growth of Asia’s leading film events."

The role involves oversight not just of the festival, but also the Asian Film Awards (AFA) and the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).

“My film career basically began with the HKIFF," said Garcia in a prepared statement. “It was the first international film festival in Asia and over the years its programmes of discovery and revelation have had much to do with the acceptance of Asian and Hong Kong cinema around the world. I have much affection and personal connection to the festival and it’s an honour to come on board again, and help to steer it to new horizons."

The writer and storyboard artist for Appleseed has made his directorial debut with this intense apocalyptic sci-fi drama that is a cross between Aliens and Lost. It begins with an epidemic which turns people into stone. With no cure in sight, the government cryogenically preserves 160 people from around the world so that they could outlive the virus. But the survivors receive a rude awakening by a gigantic plant-like creature. It is up to seven remaining individuals to carry on and find out the fate of the world.

http://www.kingofthorn.net

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This summer, all eyes were focused on South Africa as the host of the World Cup. But behind the stadiums and multi-million sponsorships lie the ghost of Apartheid, which remains today, 16 years after its end. Connie Field’s sprawling, captivating Have You Heard From Johannesburg is the ultimate document on how one nation, with the help of the world, frees itself from the tyranny of segregation. Hailed as “a triumph of maximalist filmmaking” by the Village Voice and “massive, engrossing and surprisingly exciting” by New York magazine, the film is already considered an essential viewing.

Programme 1: The Road to Resistance (64 min), begins with Nelson Mandela’s release but flashes back to Apartheid’s beginning and the African National Congress leaders’ arrests. Hell of a Job (58 min) then focuses on the efforts of exiled dissident Oliver Tambo.
The New Generation (58 min) from within South Africa led to the Soweto Uprising, which brought about international action.

http://www.clarityfilms.org/joburg/index.html

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Additional Screenings of SOLD-OUT films!
The September Issue – Aug 24
Dancing Dreams – Sep 2
Sylvie Guillem – Sep 2
Quattro Hong Kong/607 – Sep 13

The September Issue - Aug 24
  24/8/2010 (Tue) 19:15 GC 
Tickets NOW available at URBTIX

Dancing Dreams – Teenagers Perform “Kontakthof” by Pina Bausch - Sep 2
  2/9/2010 (Thu) 19:30 AC
Tickets NOW available at URBTIX

Sylvie Guillem: On the Edge - Sep 2
  2/9/2010 (Thu) 21:30 AC 
Tickets NOW available at URBTIX

 Quattro Hong Kong / 607 -Sep 13
  13/9/2010 (Mon) 19:30 AC
Tickets NOW available at URBTIX