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Sands China and CIPA Premiere Five Locally Produced Micro Movies

In support of nurturing Macao’s film industry talent

(Macao, Oct 7, 2024) – Sands China Ltd. hosted the premiere of five locally produced micro movies at The Londoner Macao Saturday, as the culmination of the 2nd New Art Studies in Filming – Micro Movie Support Program.

The program, which is organised by the Creative Industries Promotion Association of St. Lazarus Church District (CIPA) and has been sponsored by Sands China for two consecutive years, fully funds the local filmmakers to produce their micro movies.

CIPA organises the New Art Studies in Filming Program annually to enhance the skills and abilities of local film professionals to help cultivate and strengthen creative industry talent in Macao.

The Micro Movie Support Program’s courses teach and strengthen essential skills such as directing, screenwriting, acting, make-up artistry, editing, and special effects. Sponsored by Sands China since 2023, the New Art Studies in Filming – Micro Movie Support Program is dedicated to supporting a new generation of local filmmakers to produce micro movies – through funding, training, and providing filming opportunities – thereby bolstering the development of filmmaking talent in Macao.

A total of 20 teams submitted applications for the program this year. After a professional judging process, five teams were selected to produce micro movies based on their concepts. Over 150 members from these teams then worked together for around half a year to complete the filming and post-production of their films, which premiered at The Londoner Macao Saturday: “Boy In White,” “Even as an adult,” “Seventeen,” “Performance” and “Memento of Parents.”

Patrick Wong Sio Chon, president of the Creative Industries Promotion Association of St. Lazarus Church District, said: “This year is CIPA’s 20th anniversary, marking two decades of promoting the development of creative industries in Macao and providing a platform for nurturing local artists and helping build Macao as an incubation base. The success of our first Micro Movie Support Program led to its return this year, continuing to help local filmmakers pursue their dreams. Our thanks go to Sands China for sponsoring our students’ productions, thereby demonstrating the company’s commitment to Macao’s cultural and creative industries and the sustainable development of the city’s moderate economic diversification.”

Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., said: “Sands China is very pleased to support these talented local filmmakers by sponsoring the Micro Movie Support Program. The program is an important contributor to the government’s efforts to nurture local film talent, in line with Macao’s policy of moderate economic diversification and ‘tourism + culture.’ Today’s premiere spotlights some of the most up-and-coming local filmmakers, who have used their platform to creatively explore topics like social issues, interpersonal relationships, and spiritual growth. We hope these and other young filmmakers will gain valuable practical experience through the project and continue to create exciting works in the future, showcasing Macao’s unique culture to the world and achieving success in their film careers.”

Guests of honour at Saturday’s premiere were Leong Heng Teng, founding president of CIPA; Xu Dongjie, assistant director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Ho Hong Pan, head of the Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR; Ieng Weng Fat, member of the Macao Cultural Development Consultative Committee; Victoria Kuan, director-general of the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre; Jonathan Tsing, representative of instructors of the New Art Studies in Filming Program; Tracy Choi, instructor of the New Art Studies in Filming – Micro Movie Support Program; Odia Lei, executive producer of the New Art Studies in Filming – Micro Movie Support Program; Patrick Wong; and Catherine Kong, vice president of corporate communications and community affairs of Sands China Ltd.

CIPA’s New Art Studies in Filming – has been running for 13 years since its first edition in 2011, with professional filmmakers from different regions invited to impart technical skills and knowledge in film production to students, in a bid to improve the quality of film production in Macao and enhance the abilities of local filmmakers. To date, the program has trained approximately 380 individuals, with over 40 short films and micro movies produced as assignments.

Photo caption: Guests of honour and local filmmakers attend the premiere of five locally produced micro movies at The Londoner Macao Saturday, as part of the 2nd New Art Studies in Filming – Micro Movie Support Program. The program is organized by the Creative Industries Promotion Association of St. Lazarus Church District (CIPA) and sponsored by Sands China Ltd.

Photo caption: CIPA President Patrick Wong speaks Saturday at the micro movie premiere of the 2nd New Art Studies in Filming – Micro Movie Support Program at The Londoner Macao.

Photo caption: Attendees of Saturday’s micro movie premiere watch a video message from Sands China Ltd. Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Wilfred Wong Saturday at The Londoner Macao.