Macao Film Festival 2017: 'Independent Focus' Director Lin Jiawei X Complete Independent Film Workshop

Workshop Theme: Independent Focus

In an era saturated with pitches and market-driven concepts, many independent filmmakers still abandon their creative ideas due to a lack of funding. This workshop, part of the Macao Film Festival 2017, invites Malaysian director Lin Jiawei to Macao to help filmmakers break through these dilemmas.

About the Director Known as the 'Independent Film Wanderer,' Director Lin Jiawei has lived in Osaka, Japan for over twenty years and has filmed across China, Hong Kong, and Europe. Driven by an independent spirit, he has completed several feature films in just a few years through self-production. He is also an experienced curator, having organized small-scale film festivals in Japan and Hong Kong focusing on Japanese, Hong Kong, and Macao independent cinema. He previously collaborated with the organizer to curate 'Macao Independent Films in Osaka,' successfully introducing Macao works to Japan and facilitating the online DVD release of two films.

Workshop Approach Drawing from the popular workshop model among Japanese independent filmmakers and his engaging teaching style, Director Lin will guide participants in transforming their story outlines into short films. The workshop covers fundamentals of screenwriting and storyboarding, enriched by his personal experiences filming independently around the world.

Short Film Theme Create a short film story outline based on 'one hotel, one object, two characters.' Over five days, participants will shoot their short film within a specially designated environment.

Application Details

• Workshop Dates: November 25 to December 3, 2017 (daily schedule to be notified individually to selected participants).
• Venue: Love Lane No.7 Hostel (No. 7, Largo do Bom Pastor, near Ruins of St. Paul's).
• Application Deadline: November 10, 2017.
• Participants: Maximum 20 individuals/teams (first-come, first-served).
• Format: Individual or team registration (max 4 per team). Roles can include director, screenwriter, cinematographer, actor, etc.
• Requirement: Each applicant (individual or team) must submit a short film story outline (under 8 minutes) based on the theme 'one hotel, one object, two characters.'
• Selection: The workshop committee will select four teams based on the feasibility of their story outlines.
• Application Link: Submit personal/team details and story outline via https://goo.gl/forms/LD8tGqTPprbdwqfE2.

Daily Workshop Highlights

• Day 1: Lecture – What is independent film and film production? Pre-production: Writing story outlines, scene scripts, and selecting locations/actors.
• Day 2: Group script discussion, revision, actor selection, and rehearsal.
• Day 3: Case study – Choosing camera positions, on-site storyboarding, scene scheduling, and visual presentation under limited conditions.
• Day 4: Group filming in different corners of the hostel.
• Day 5: Screening, editing suggestions, and overall feedback.

Final Output Participants must complete a rough cut by December 3, 2017, for screening at the closing ceremony of the Macao Film Festival 2017. Director Lin Jiawei will attend the post-screening sharing session with participants.

Organizers & Partners

• Organizer: Yeng Yizhi (Macao) Film Association
• Sponsor: Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government
• Program Partner: Love Lane No.7 Hostel (also the workshop venue)