Macao is hosting some of the film industry's finest for its second annual International Film Festival and Awards‧Macao (IFFAM), which is taking place until 14 December.  Under the theme 'A New Avenue to the World of Films', the festival features a dazzling line-up of international film stars and directors – including Hollywood star Jeremy Renner and renowned director John Woo – as well as a colourful programme of screenings, red-carpet presentations, industry events and masterclasses, and a high-profile awards ceremony.

The festival kicked off on December 8 with an opening ceremony followed by the screening of Paddington 2, and is showcasing more than 40 international films over seven days. The competition section features 10 films including British productions “Beast”, starring Jessie Buckley, Johnny Flynn, Trystan Gravelle and Geraldine James, and “My Pure Land”, which is the UK submission to this year's foreign language Oscar category.

The films screened fall into several different categories including Gala, Flying Daggers, Best of Fest Panorama and Crossfire, classic genre films selected by six heavyweight directors.   Other highlight events include a Masterclass from internationally-acclaimed director John Woo – who is also the Festival Ambassador - and an “In Conversation” with Michelle Yeoh, star of iconic films such as Tomorrow Never Dies, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Memoirs of a Geisha.  Hollywood icon Jeremy Renner - who starred as Hawkeye in the Marvel films and was nominated for an Academy Award for his acclaimed performance in The Hurt Locker – is acting as Talent Ambassador.

For the second year running, a collaboration with the British Film Institute (BFI) sees 24 of Macao's most promising young filmmakers working together to produce two short films, led by industry professionals from the BFI.

Artistic director of IFFAM, Mike Goodridge, stated “I am so delighted to unveil our programme for the festival this year. I am very proud of the line-up which brings a feast of world cinema to the audiences of Macao.”

For further information, please visit http://iffamacao.com/en/

-ENDS-

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For further media information and images contact:

Cat Cambridge
Macao Government Tourism Office – UK & Ireland Representative

E: cat@humewhitehead.co.uk

T: +44 (0) 203 375 4054

About Macao:

A Special Administrative Region of China since 1999, Macao blends the best of east and west, old and new and is one of Asia's most intriguing destinations. Located just 40 miles from Hong Kong on China's south coast, it offers a world class hotel, restaurant, shopping and entertainment scene, whilst retaining its unique Portuguese-Chinese culture in its UNESCO World Heritage listed architecture, colourful events and fusion cuisine. Chosen as one of Lonely Planet's top 10 regions for travel in 2015, Macao packs a lot into its 11 square miles and makes the perfect addition to a Far East holiday or stopover en route “Down Under”.

About the Macao Government Tourism Office:

The Macao Government Tourism Office is the tourism development arm of the government of the Macao SAR (Special Administrative Region) dedicated to promoting Macao as a preferred destination and co-ordinating related activities and services within the local tourism industry.

www.macaotourism.gov.mo