On this page, APSA nominees and guests will find answers to frequently asked questions. Click on the question to read our response. If you do not find the information that you need, please contact one of the APSA team at [email protected].

  • 1. What are the Asia Pacific Screen Awards?

    The Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) are now in their 16th year and are hosted annually on the Gold Coast, Australia. The APSAs recognise and promote the cinematic excellence and cultural diversity of the vast Asia Pacific region of 78 countries and areas. We award the people behind the excellence, while bringing their achievements to a global audience.

    To read more about APSA and its aims please click here.

  • 2. What is the Asia Pacific Screen Forum?

    The Asia Pacific Screen Academy also hosts an industry forum held 1-4 November 2023 (awards ceremony on the 3rd Nov) where we seek to develop and nurture Asia Pacific’s talent. This forum has begun to create an influential network where strategic and creative decisions are made, projects are championed and collaborations are born. All nominees and official guests coming to the Gold Coast for APSA will be provided with accreditation and access to participate in the forum events.

    https://www.asiapacificscreenawards.com/asia-pacific-screen-forum

  • 3. What is the Asia Pacific Screen Academy?

    The Asia Pacific Screen Academy was established in 2008 to encourage dialogue and collaboration for the region’s filmmakers. This unique creative network is comprised of all APSA winners, nominees, jurors, Nomination Council members and special invitees.

    Member benefits include exclusive access to the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund for script development.

    Academy members, including APSA Nominees will receive future correspondence and opportunities from the APSA Academy via email, as well as a listing on the APSA website including your professional headshot and biography.

  • 5. What is the MPA APSA Academy Fund?

    APSA members are offered the exclusive opportunity to enter The MPA APSA Academy Film Fund, which offers four annual grants of US$25,000 to films in the script development phase of production. Applications close for the next round of grants on 15 October 2023. Previous recipients include Academy Award®-winner A Separation by Asghar Farhadi, and Cannes-competing titles like Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s The Wild Pear Tree and Lee Chang-dong’s Burning. To read more please click here.

  • 6. How do I attend the ceremony?

    Please discuss your attendance with the APSA team to see what contributions can be made towards travel costs for nominated filmmakers.

    Further Ceremony tickets may also be able to be arranged, or can be purchased online.

  • 7. Do I need a visa?

    All visitors to Australia who are not travelling on an Australian or New Zealand passports must have a valid VISA, before boarding their plane regardless of length of stay.

    APSA can provide a letter of invitation to accompany the visa application.

    Visa Finder at homeaffairs.gov.au

    Please be aware that the VISA process can take up to 40 days depending on the country you are from.

  • 8. What if I am a nominee and I cannot attend the Ceremony?

    If you are unable to attend yourself, the APSA team will be in contact to seek representation for the nominated film at the APSA Ceremony on the Gold Coast by an appropriate member of the production team.

    Please ensure you still supply your personal contact details, headshot and biography to the APSA team on [email protected] to receive future correspondence and opportunities from the APSA Academy, as well as a listing on the APSA website.

  • 9. What should I wear to the Ceremony?

    The APSA Ceremony is a formal event. It will be preceded by a red carpet event for Ceremony guests that will feature media and photographers. APSA encourages attendees to wear cocktail or cultural dress.

  • 10. Can I bring my partner, a guest, or another nominee?

    Additional nominees or guests are very welcome to join the Nominee on the Gold Coast, however any additional travel, accommodation and dining costs will NOT be covered by APSA. If you wish to bring somebody with you, please inform the APSA travel team so that they can arrange extra Ceremony tickets and where appropriate, access to the industry forum and leisure events.

  • 13. What if I need an interpreter?

    Should guests need an interpreter, they must let APSA know as soon as possible. This will be arranged for their arrival so that they are able to ask questions and get clarification about activities and official events.

  • 14. What if I have an accessibility or dietary requirement?

    Please inform the APSA team about anything that may affect your flight and/or your stay. This includes walking difficulties or other accessibility needs, as well as any dietary requirements and allergies.

  • 16. What will my schedule be when I reach the Gold Coast?

    APSA will share a schedule for all nominees beginning from their arrival on the Gold Coast. Guests will be invited to attend a welcome reception, the Awards Ceremony, Asia Pacific Screen Forum and associated networking events; Gold Coast tours; and an excursion to a wildlife sanctuary.

  • 19. Can I extend my stay?

    Guests are highly encouraged to extend their stay and enjoy the beauty of the Gold Coast beach, rainforest and city. Any costs associated with extended stays must be paid for by the nominee including early check-in or late check-out.

  • 11. What happens if I win my award category?

    APSA winners receive a unique award. They will have appropriate packaging to enable winners to take this as carry-on luggage on their flight home. If the winner is not able to attend the ceremony, APSA will arrange transportation of the award to them. Winners who are not able to attend the ceremony, but can attend one of APSA’s several international events throughout the year have the option of accepting their award there.

  • 17. How can I share my APSA journey on social media?

    APSA can be found on Facebook and Twitter. APSA encourages all nominees and guests to document their time in Australia across your social media platform.

    Facebook: please tag @asiapacificscreenawards
    (www.facebook.com/asiapacificscreenawards)

    Twitter: please tag @APScreenAwards

    Instagram: please tag @asiapacificscreenawards_

    Please use #APSA23 in your posts.

  • 20. Will I have to pay any fees?

    Personal expenses will be the responsibility of the nominee. Some of the costs that will not be reimbursed by APSA include, but are not limited to:

    • Visa application fees
    • Travel insurance costs (may be necessary for VISA to ensure you have health cover while in Australia)
    • Overweight luggage fees
    • Early check-ins and late check-out fees
    • Hotel breakfast
    • Additional room nights or travel outside of the APSA schedule
    • Hotel mini-bar refreshments and snack purchases
    • Room service
    • Tips and gratuities
    • In-room movies
    • Telephone calls and data roaming charges
    • Hotel services including dry cleaning
    • Tours and activities not hosted by APSA
    • Meals at the airport and local venues outside of APSA functions
    • Late travel amendments
  • 21. Will I have internet access in Brisbane?

    Guests will receive complimentary wi-fi internet at their hotel for email and web browsing.

    Gold Coast City Council also offers free wireless internet access in parks and public spaces across the city. These services are offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but download capabilities are limited. The network can be connected via your smart phone.

  • 22. Is tipping a part of Australian culture?

    No, tipping is not an essential part of Australian culture. However, if you wish to leave a restaurant server or hotel staff a gratuity or tip as a thank you for their good service this is at your discretion.

  • 23. What is the weather like on the Gold Coast?

    The Gold Coast climate is sub-tropical. The average November temperature on the Gold Coast is 18°C – 28°C (64°F – 82°F). It is important to be aware of the strength of the Australian sun. Guests should always wear sunscreen and protective clothing including hats when outdoors. And always swim between the flags if you go to the beach.

  • 24. How do I get in touch with the APSA team?

    Please feel free to email [email protected] with any queries or to discuss your needs.

    The APSA team will be available to support all guests, should you have any enquiries during your time on the Gold Coast.

  • 25. What are the terms and conditions?

    The participant releases and discharges, and will not bring any claim against, the Asia Pacific Screen Academy or any of its officers, employees or agents in the event that the participant sustains any personal injury (including sickness or death) or suffers any property or loss that may result from the participant’s acceptance of the itinerary, attendance at the site and participants in any activities.

    The Asia Pacific Screen Academy accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage, omission, accident, detention, diversion or theft in regard to luggage or any personal belongings of the participant.

    The participate indemnifies and keeps indemnified, the Asia Pacific Screen Academy and any of its officers, employees or agents for any liability, loss or damage that the participant or any other person suffers as a result of the participant’s misconduct, bad faith or negligence.

    Participation in any physical activity is at the sole discretion of the participant. The participant agrees to undertake all activities at their own sole risk and accepts the level of risk consequent with those activities.

    I consent to and grant the use and reproduction by the Asia Pacific Screen Academy or persons authorised by the Asia Pacific Screen Academy of all digital images, films, video images, photographs, graphic representations, voice and sound recordings (“material”) produced in any film, video medium or any other medium (including, without limitation, computer media and the internet). I agree to hold the Asia Pacific Screen Academy and its agents harmless against any claims arising from the use of such materials.

The Asia Pacific Screen Academy expresses its respect for and acknowledgement of the South East Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of country, including the custodial communities on whose land works are created and celebrated by the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. We acknowledge the continuing connection to land, waters and communities. We also pay our respects to Elders, past and emerging. We recognise the integral role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and First Nations peoples continue to play in storytelling and celebration spaces.

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