BUSAN DEAN APPOINTMENT
Zhang Lu, the Chinese Korean director, has been appointed as dean of the Chanel x BIFF Asian Film Academy, part of the Busan International Film Festival.
Zhang has been making feature films since 2004, when his “Tang Poetry” won acclaim at the Locarno and Vancouver festivals. He has since made titles including “Grain in Ear” (2005), which won the New Currents Award at Busan, “Desert Dream” and the recent “The Shadowless Tower.” He was also a professor at Yonsei University for eight years.
Indonesia’s Kamila Andini was announced as the Academy’s directing mentor, while Urata Hideho is set as cinematography mentor.
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The Academy’s 20-day curriculum runs Sept. 22nd to Oct. 11th. The main festival runs Oct. 2-11 and the Asian Film Market (Oct. 5-8).
OLD FOX KEEPS WINNING
“Old Fox,” directed by Hsiao Ya-chuan, won five of the top prizes at the Taipei Film Awards. Its haul included best feature, best director, best screenplay, best cinematography and best makeup and costume design.
The film is a drama about an 11-year-old boy who befriends his landlord and learns how to survive in a rapidly changing world including things that his poverty-stricken father would never share. It has been winning prizes for many months, including four at last November’s Golden Horse Film Awards.
“From Island to Island” was the biggest documentary winner. The film about wars in Asia and told through eye witness accounts, was directed by Lau Kek-huat. It won five prizes including best feature documentary and best director.
Ethan Juan won the best actor prize for his leading role in crime drama “The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon.” Audrey Lin won the best actress prize for “Trouble Girl.” In addition, Lee Lee-zen and Chen Yi-han were respectively awarded best supporting actor and best asupporting actress prizes.
The best short film prize went to “Reclaim My Summer” and best animation went to “Pigsy.”
AMUSING AGREEMENT
Quebec-based Amuz Distribution (formerly known as ComediHa! Distribution), has struck a deal with India’s GoQuest Media that will see the pair work together on distribution.
Amuz titles include poly-handicapped family dramedy series “About Antoine,” real estate comedy series “Counter Offer,” redemptive dramedy series “Larry” and mystery series “Valmont.”