ASIA-PACIFIC – THAILAND, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 – ADFEST has named this year’s Fabulous Four directors – two representing Dhaka, Bangladesh, one from Melbourne, Australia and another from Tokyo, Japan.
The directors, whose short films are premiering at ADFEST 2013 on March 19, are: Md. Kamruzzaman Ratan, director, Dhaka: "Unsolved Stars"; Md. Reazul Amin, assistant director, Dhaka: "The Empty Side"; Raphael Elisha, director, The Otto Empire, Melbourne: "Truel"; and Takeshi Izumida, director, Taiyo Kikaku Co., Ltd.: "Transcendent Love". John Park, founder and director at Addict Media Films in Seoul, will moderate the viewing session. Park is Jury President of Film Craft Lotus and New Director Lotus at ADFEST 2013.
“I am excited for this year’s Fabulous Four directors. Each are of different genres and styles and I look forward to seeing four different interpretations of the concept, ‘Connect the Dots’. Fabulous Four is a great opportunity for up-and-coming directors as it serves as a weighty stepping stone into the industry and a great chance to showcase one’s work in front of some of the best creative minds in the region,” he said.
Every year, ADFEST invites new directors and assistant directors to submit a five-minute short film script inspired by the theme of ADFEST. In 2013, ADFEST received 29 scripts from 10 cities across the region based on this year’s theme, ‘Connect the Dots’.
The scripts were judged by the Film Craft Lotus & New Director Lotus jury, which comprise:
• Jury President: John Park, founder and director, Addict Media Films, Seoul
• Barney Chua, founder and director, Mojo Films, Kuala Lumpur
• Hozefa Alibhai, managing director, 200 not out FILMS, Mumbai
• Kosai Sekine, director, Stink, Tokyo
• Malinee Tosakul, founder and managing director, Big Blue Production, Bangkok
• Michael Soo, director, Post Production Office, Hong Kong
• Oliver Lawrence, executive producer, Photoplay Films, Sydney
“Fabulous Four is more than a good opportunity for up-and-coming directors. A few years ago," commented Tosakul. "I had an opportunity to help an up-and-coming director produce a short film for ADFEST. His film was seen by many companies at the festival, and later he was hired by an overseas production house. ADFEST is a shortcut for directors to present their creativity and their ability."
For Lawrence, ADFEST offers young directors a "steep learning curve". “ADFEST is a fantastic festival, you literally get to meet loads of interesting, creative people from all over the region. It’s a great opportunity to have their short film screened and do some serious networking.”
The Fabulous Four now have just a few weeks to cast, direct, edit and complete their short films before premiering at ADFEST 2013.
