Focus First Cuts Press Conference

My first press conference!

The media event took place at The Balcony @ Heeren, with local and international journalists gathering to meet a bunch of budding film auteurs from various parts of Asia.

These future Kurosawas and Wong-Kar-Wais were assembled by Focus Films (helmed by Andy Lau) under the Focus First Cuts Film Project.



In addition to emceeing the press conference in the afternoon, I also hosted a film symposium for film buffs and the film-makers later on in the night.

The "mischievous" antics of the Hong Kong and Malaysian directors provided some challenges in my hosting process. They gave short, comedic and slightly offbeat replies to the questions I were tasked by the movie company to ask. Thankfully, I was able to keep the group interview going by tossing the baton around instead of allowing it to drop.

That's the luxury of having 6 different personalities seated in front of you. If one or two does not elaborate much on the question, you can pass it on to another person for a different reply.


With the elegant director of The Shoe Fairy




With local director Kelvin Tong



I have to admit I didn't exactly shine in my first press conference emceeing job, but I got the job done and it is a good reminder that there will always be bigger projects that will test my capabilities.

The encouraging words of Beijing director Ning Hao autographed on my Lee Ang biography brought me a tiny slice of solace.

I brought the Lee Ang book along for these fresh filmmakers to autograph as I felt the book was in some ways a totem of the persistance and dedication that filmmakers must display in their quest to realise dreams and visions.

Local film auteur Kelvin Tong also graciously gave me his autograph.



Let us improve together

共同进步 === 宁浩