We are preparing for APSA’s International Launch tomorrow evening where our Chairman Des Power will be announcing our Jury President for 2010, exciting news that I look forward to sharing. We have several announcements so stay tuned. The launch is being presented with one of our major partners, FIAPF and their Australian member organisation SPAA (Screen Producers Association of Australia).
Julie Marlow (SPAA) and I have bought lovely delicacies for the launch from AL CHARQ Traiteur Libanais. I’m looking forward to catching up with representatives from our Official Submitting Organisations who are here from India, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey, New Zealand, China, Israel and Hong Kong as well as APSA Nominations Council members, film producers, distributors and sales agents from the region. I am particularly pleased to be seeing again Pusan International Film Festival head, APSA Academy member and 2007 Jury Member Kim Dong-ho who is joining us for this special occasion. Last time APSA was in Cannes (2008), we were just embarking on our second year, so it is rewarding to be here looking back on what we’ve achieved so far with, might I say, a little pride.
Met with the beautiful Heejeon Kim from CJ Entertainment yesterday. Her support of our initiative has been so appreciated. With Professor Hong-joon Kim as our Nominations Council Chair and great champion of APSA it has assisted greatly with entry in to the Korean market.
Caught up with Patrick Frater who is always charming and discussed his new venture FILMBIZ ASIA http://www.filmbiz.asia/ . Patrick has been a great supporter of APSA and we look forward to working with him in the future.
Had dinner with Valerie Lepine-Karnik France CNC and Bertrand Moullier senior consultant to UK, French and European film agencies and represents FIAPF at WIPO in Geneva. Much laughter around the table.