World's Inaugural Asian Festival of 1st Films Debuts in Singapore

World's Inaugural Asian Festival of 1st Films Debuts in Singapore

Festival Now Invites International Media for Press Accreditation

SINGAPORE, Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The Asian Festival of 1st Films (AFFF), which honours first-time producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, actors and documentary-makers from the Asian Diaspora will take place in Singapore from 23 to 30 November 2005.

Twenty-two first films, from features to documentaries and from innovative visions to stark social commentaries have been nominated for nine prestigious awards across eight categories. An international celebrity jury will convene in Singapore for the Festival to select the award winners. The week-long affair will be a hive of activity with public screenings, film forums, networking of distributors and buyers as well as luminaries representing the international film and entertainment industry. It will culminate in a glittery award ceremony at the Singapore Victoria Theatre.

The nominees for the awards come from Bangladesh, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. A total of 233 films from 14 countries were submitted to the AFFF.

An international selection committee comprising Bryan Smith -- USA (Executive Vice President programming National Geographic International), Pan Nalin -- France (award-winning director of Samsara), Peter Friedman -- USA (Oscar-nominated documentary film-maker and winner of the Sundance Grand Jury award), Sudhir Mishra -- India (Producer, Director, Writer of films including Hazaaron Khawaishein Aisi, Chameli) and Teddy Chan -- Hong Kong (award-winning director, actor and producer) viewed 116 films in closed-door sessions in early October to determine the 22 nominees. (For details on the list of nominees, please log on to www.afff2005.com .)

The organiser of AFFF invites members of the international press covering lifestyle, film and entertainment beats to congregate in Singapore this November to participate in the event.

Only accredited press will be admitted to film screenings, the award ceremony and exclusive photo and interview opportunities with film luminaries who are in Singapore for the Festival.

Please visit the AFFF official website, www.afff2005.com , for details on press accreditation and download the Press Accreditation Form. Applications must be received by 15 November 2005. The Press Support Form is also available on the website for financial sponsorship. Applications must also be received by 15 November 2005.

For enquiries, please contact:

Niti Madan
Tel: +91-11-2623-1495/6
Email: office@afff2005.com , or

Rowena Tay and Sylvia Lim
Tel: +65-6338-5918
Email: rowena@foreword.com.sg / sylvia@foreword.com.sg

Source: Asian Festival of 1st Films

CONTACT: Niti Madan, +91-11-2623-1495/6, or office@afff2005.comof AFFF;
or Rowena Tay and Sylvia Lim, +65-6338-5918, or rowena@foreword.com.sg, or
sylvia@foreword.com.sg of Foreword for AFFF

Web site: http://www.afff2005.com/

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