ASIA-PACIFIC – SYDNEY/AUCKLAND, DECEMBER 15, 2011: ADFEST has appointed George Mackenzie, regional managing director of The Sweet Shop, as jury president of Film Craft Lotus and New Director Lotus at next year’s Festival, which runs from March 18 to 20 in Pattaya, Thailand.
After pursuing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Religious Studies, Mackenzie turned his back on theology and heeded an even higher calling. So began his 15-year vocation in the advertising industry. Cutting his teeth at Silver Screen Auckland, Mackenzie developed a passion for editing and post-production. This flair eventually led to a transfer to Sydney as manager of Oktobor.
Since then, he has worked at some of Australia’s best-known post and production shops, including the LaB Sydney, Independent Films, where he was General Manager, and Fin Design + Effects, where he was executive producer.
Currently George is The Sweet Shop’s regional managing director, overseeing the Asia Pacific and MENA regions. During his career his efforts have been recognized at ADFEST, Cannes, D&AD, One Show, Spikes, AWARD & Axis.
“When ADFEST invited me to oversee next year’s Film Craft and New Director Jury, how could I refuse? ADFEST is an important regional show, and I was honored to be asked,” he says.
This is Mackenzie’s second trip to ADFEST as a member of its jury panel – he was also invited to sit on the Film Craft Lotus and New Director Lotus Jury in 2010 in Tokyo.
In 2010 when ADFEST’s three-day Festival was cancelled, we managed to conduct our jury sessions outside of Thailand for the first time with the great help of Japan Advertising Association, Dentsu and AOI Production in Tokyo.
“George was one of seven Jurists invited to sit on the Film Craft Lotus and New Director Lotus, when we observed his great insight, high standards and leadership during the three days judging. Inviting George back as jury president of these two very important Lotus Awards categories at ADFEST 2012 will continue the high judging standards we take pride in. ADFEST is determined to embrace the production industry as an important partner to all of our creative practitioners,” says Jimmy Lam, ADFEST president.
Next year, ADFEST will return to its flagship location in Pattaya with a new theme, ‘Fast Forward’. The theme reflects the relentless pace of change that is transforming our region and the world. Delegates at ADFEST 2012 will learn the skills they need to fast-track to the future. For further information, please visit www.adfest.com.
