Chinese film executive Han Sanping, a generational boss of China Film Group, China’s powerful state-owned film conglomerate, will be chairman of the jury for the next Asia World Cinema Festival. Hosting an annual Asian film festival in Los Angeles, the festival is dedicated to raising the profile of Asian creative talent and foreign independent film production. Han Han was the head of China Film Group until , and was involved in some of China’s biggest films in the decade before he resigned. In recent years, he has played more behind-the-scenes cross-border producers. Recent works include Midway (200) and Greyhound (2019).
Stars Collective, an incubator for filmmakers based in Los Angeles, and Starlight Media, a Chinese-backed but Beverly Hills-based film financier, in 2020 and also joined the Asian International Film Festival as an official partner. In the new agreement for the next three years, the two parties will work together to promote Asian films and expand their international influence, and Stars Collective will recommend industry organizations and sponsors to become festival sponsors. Co-sponsors or partners.
“In addition to our primary goal — our mission to bring Asians and Asian Americans into the Hollywood spotlight — we also value partnerships and collaborations,” AWFF executive and program director said Georges N. Chamchoum. “The Stars Collective has proven to be a major player in Hollywood, so I have no doubt that together we can make a difference.”
The Stars Collective program currently supports more than Emerging filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, connecting them with industry mentors Starlight Media has partnered with filmmakers such as Sam Raimi, John M. Chu, Rob Minkoff, Alan Taylor and many more A relationship is built. Since its inception, Stars Collective has produced and financed projects such as Jamojaya, directed by Justin Chon, starring Rich Brian, in Premiere Sundance Film Festival; Nezouh, directed by Soudade Kaadan, winner of the Venice Film Festival Armani Beauty Audience Award; and
Playland, the debut feature of artist and filmmaker Georden West, premiered in Tiger Competition at the 2019 International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Stars Collective Executive Committee Director Jennifer Caiqin Zhan added: “As an Asian female filmmaker, I am an advocate for Asian and Asian American films and filmmakers. By facilitating the partnership between the AWFF and the Stars Collective, I am excited to realize a shared vision for future endeavors.”
