[press release from TM Publicity]
Asia Pacific Screen Awards Chairman, Des Power, today announced the appointment of Alicia Mayer Beverley, niece of Louis B. Mayer who founded Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy Awards, as Vice Patron of The Academy of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
The Academy of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards was established earlier this year with Australian screen legend Jack Thompson AM as Patron.
Ms Mayer Beverley is a resident of the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. A businesswoman who co-founded a successful intellectual property attorney firm, she has a keen interest in supporting international cinema.
Her family is often described as Hollywood’s royal family. As well as her famous uncle, most of Ms Mayer Beverley’s family have been members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences with three receiving Academy Awards. They include David O Selznick who produced Gone with the Wind.
“I am honoured to be announced Vice Patron of The Academy of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. I look forward to assisting Patron, Jack Thompson, and APSA Chairman, Des Power, to further the exciting mission of this Academy,” Ms Mayer Beverley said.
“The Mayer family has a long and remarkable heritage in the film industry. Members of my family, most notably my Uncle Louis B. Mayer, have deeply influenced filmmaking around the world. This influence reaches back to the very early days of film, and includes Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the Academy Awards, which my Uncle founded.
“As I have lived in Australia for 20 years, it is fitting that as Vice Patron of this young Academy, that I bridge a rich tradition in film to the newest and intensely vibrant centres of filmmaking, here in the Asia-Pacific region.
“I look forward to being an ambassador for this exciting and innovative organisation.”
APSA Chairman, Des Power welcomed Ms Mayer Beverley’s appointment.
“I am delighted to welcome Alicia to this important new role. She has a deep understanding of the role of an Academy such as this can play in building relationships and collaboration between filmmakers and in promoting their work. She is committed to the aims of APSA to acclaim the cinematic excellence of Asia-Pacific filmmakers and to grow international audiences for their work,” Mr Power said.
The Asia Pacific Screen Awards – the APSAs – is a collaboration with CNN International, UNESCO and FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Associations and is an international cultural initiative to acclaim films that best reflect their cultural origins and demonstrate cinematic excellence.