 2 September, 2010 (Hong Kong) – The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) today announced the appointment of Mr. Roger Garcia as Executive Director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society. Effective from the end of September 2010, Mr. Garcia will oversee the strategic growth of the Society including its three flagship events – the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), Asian Film Awards (AFA), and the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
With over 30 years in the arts, cultural and film industries for both the Hong Kong Government and the private sector, Mr. Garcia had previously served as a strategic and programming consultant, adviser, curator and juror for many international film festivals in Europe, US and Asia.
Born in Hong Kong, Mr. Garcia was instrumental in the promotion and development of the arts and cultural sector for the Hong Kong Government with work in the Cultural Services Division (Urban Services Department), Recreation and Culture Department, and Home Affairs Department. He also promoted overseas investment in Hong Kong as Regional Director, North America at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York.
As an established film critic and writer, his work has been published globally including Asiaweek, British Film Institute, Cahiers du Cinema, Far East Economic Review, Film Comment and Variety among others. Mr. Garcia has also lectured at Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley on Asian cinema and was the first Director of the Filmmakers’ Development Lab (FDL) for the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) from 2005-2008.
As producer, he has worked on both studio pictures and independent films including US box office topper The Big Hit (Columbia TriStar/ Mark Wahlberg, Lou Diamond Phillips); and in Asia, works such as Himpapawid (Manila Skies) by Cannes Palme d’Or winner, Raymond Red. Mr. Garcia was also creator and executive producer of Cinema AZN (Comcast Cable) the first series on Asian and Asian American cinema in the US.
Mr. Garcia was the director of the HKIFF soon after it began in the late 1970s when he consolidated its programming of contemporary and classic Hong Kong cinema and developed its bi-lingual publications which helped introduce Hong Kong cinema to the world. He also pioneered the HKIFF’s specific focus on Asian cinema that became a model for many subsequent international film festivals. Mr. Garcia was previously a HKIFF and AFA Jury member, an HAF Advisor and HKIFF Programme Consultant. Mr. Garcia will report directly to the Board of Directors of HKIFFS, led by Mr. Wilfred Wong, Chairman of HKIFFS and will oversee the Society’s mission to promote the art and culture of film.
"As a pioneer in Asian film programming, Mr. Roger Garcia has played a pivotal role in both the evolution of the Society and the development of Festivals globally,” said Mr. Wong. "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.”
“My film career basically began with the HKIFF,” Mr. Garcia explained, “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.”
About Hong Kong International Film Festival Society
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film.
Through its year-round programmes, the mission of the Society is to strengthen global appreciation of Chinese film culture and to promote inspiring films from around the world, enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong.
Committed to the development of a vibrant film culture in Hong Kong and Asia, the Society presents three annual flagship events in March and April: The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) and the Asian Film Awards (AFA).
Passionately believing in the power of films to unite cultures and generations, the HKIFFS is devoted to giving thousands of film lovers around the region direct access to the world’s most inspiring films all year round.
# # #
For media enquiries, please contact:
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society
Samuel Lam
Tel: +852 2102 7368
E-mail: samuel_lam@hkiff.org.hk
Man Wong
Tel: +852 2102 7380
E-mail: man_wong@hkiff.org.hk
|
