Apichatpong Weerasethakul Named Tropfest SEA Ambassador

Apichatpong Weerasethakul Named Tropfest SEA Ambassador

Renowned Thai director to attend film festival in George Town, Penang

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Nov. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Tropfest South East Asia (Tropfest SEA) appointed Apichatpong Weerasethakul as its Ambassador ahead of the inaugural regional edition of the world's largest short film festival in George Town, Penang.

Tropfest SEA is supported by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) and Malaysia Major Events, a division of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia.

The celebrated Thai independent film director, screenwriter and producer will attend Tropfest SEA's festival day on 25 January. He joins a distinguished judging panel at the live judging ceremony, including Tropfest founder John Polson.

Weerasethakul is the first of Tropfest's regional Ambassadors who will be announced in the weeks leading up to the festival.

The support and involvement of film personalities around the world is one of the trademarks of the festival, as seen in Tropfest editions in Australia, New Zealand, Arabia, and United States. Southeast Asia is Tropfest's newest edition.

Weerasethakul is currently developing a multi-platform feature film with Illuminations Films in London, Primitive, about a sleeping sickness in a small town near the Mekong River in Thailand. His work as a visual artist has seen participation in international exhibitions and galleries including at prestigious biennale dOKUMENTA (13) in Kassel and at the Sharjah Biennial. His recent solo art exhibition Photophobia in Oslo, Norway was unveiled in November; exhibitions in London and Mexico City are scheduled for 2014.

"We are honoured to have Weerasethakul's support to represent narratives and personalities for our region. His journey as an independent filmmaker and winning the 63rd Cannes Film Festival's highest award, the Palme d'Or, is an inspiration to us; similarly, his support for independent filmmakers and experimental film works," said Tropfest SEA managing director, Joe Sidek.

"Adding to Malaysia as the first ever country to host Tropfest South East Asia in January 2014 is Weerasethakul's engagement and involvement in Tropfest's debut. This is a big boost for the event's programme which will also add value to the international promotions of the event. Hopefully, with such an Ambassador, the profile of Malaysia as an exciting hub for creativity, arts, lifestyle and entertainment events will also increase exponentially," added Tony Nagamaiah, General Manager of Malaysia Major Events (MME).

Festival-related announcements will be made in the coming weeks, including the music-line up on Festival Day, screenings of specially curated Southeast Asian films, and the film symposium Roughcut.

ABOUT MALAYSIA MAJOR EVENTS (MME)

Malaysia Major Events is a division of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), an agency under Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Created under the Prime Minister's Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), Malaysia Major Events facilitates significant events that help contribute to Malaysia's economic growth. It focuses on identifying and supporting major event bids for sports, arts, lifestyle and entertainment events. It also assists home grown and home hosted events as well as other cluster events that strengthen Malaysia's global appeal as an international avenue for major events. As a conduit between public and private sector, it's a one-stop centre which facilitates and liaises with diverse event stakeholders to ensure seamless processes and successful events.

For more information, please visit http://www.mymajorevents.com.my.

ABOUT TROPFEST SOUTH EAST ASIA

Tropfest SEA joins the global Tropfest family spanning New York, Abu Dhabi, Sydney and Taranaki in New Zealand. The short film competition is open to all citizens and residents of South East Asia; the free-to-attend film festival premieres in Penang, Malaysia in 2014, a celebration of short films, music and in support of the culture of storytelling and creativity.

The winner receives a USD10,000 cash award from Tropfest SEA and a five-day film industry immersion trip in Los Angeles sponsored by the Motion Picture Association. Tropfest SEA is supported by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) and Malaysia Major Events, a division of Malaysia Exhibition & Convention Bureau under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. For more information visit http://www.tropfest.com/sea.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Isabel Asquith, Media & Communications

Phone: +604-261-6308 & +604-261-3061

Email: isabelasquith@tropfestsea.com

Lisa Case, Festival & Business Manager

Phone: +604-261-6308 & +604-261-3061

Email: lisacase@tropfestsea.com

SOURCE Tropfest SEA

Tropfest SEA


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