The Asia Pacific Screen Academy presents the 5^th Asia Pacific Screen Forum, providing access to the international and local screen creatives and decision-makers gathered on the Gold Coast for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, including APSA International Jury members, nominees, winners and APSA partners including the Motion Picture Association (MPA) Asia Pacific and the Asia Pacific Screen Lab.

In 2023, the dates align with the Australian International Movie Convention and the Brisbane International Film Festival, creating a thriving hub connecting the national industry with the global conversation.

Headlining guests appearing at the Forum include APSA International Jury President and filmmaker Clara Law (Australia, Hong Kong, Macau); Jury members including producer Anna Katchko (Germany), performer Yeo Yann Yann (Malaysia) and filmmaker Rima Das (India); producer Jeremy Chua(Singapore); nominated filmmakers including Anthony Shim (Canada, Republic of Korea), Nicole Midori Woodford (Singapore), Fran Borgia (Spain), Robert Connolly (Australia),  cinematographer Hao Jiayue (People’s Republic of China), and Camera d’Or and Young Cinema Award winner Phạm Thiên Ân (Vietnam); international guests Vimukthi Jayasundara (Sri Lanka), John Badalu (Indonesia) and Joseph J.U. Taylor (NZ); and local filmmakers Dean Gibson, Jessie Hughes, Katrina Irawati Graham, Kerrin McNeil, Diya Eid, Rae Choi, Anupam Sharma, Richard Jameson, Aven Yap, Kate Hynes, Jessica Magro and Rhianna Malezer.

The four-day event features in-conversations, intimate roundtables, networking events, panels, presentations, workshops and a public programme of screenings with Q&As. The Asia Pacific Screen Forum is a unique programme for the industry, encouraging relationship building and networking opportunities, as well as cultural and knowledge exchange both from within Australia and across the Asia Pacific.

Sessions include: 

In Conversation with APSA Jury President Clara Law

Industry Panel, Networking Event & Screening: Spotlight on South East Asia panel, plus screening of APSA Best Youth Film nominee Tiger Stripes 

Industry Panel + Networking Event: Reel Connections for early career filmmakers

Industry Panel + Screening: Strengthening Bonds: Australia and India panel, plus screening of Tora’s Husband (India), attended by Rima Das, nominated for Best Director and member of the APSA Youth, Animation, Documentary International Jury

Roundtable: Weaving Authentic Cultural Narratives

Roundtable: Social Impact in Fiction

Roundtable: First Time Producers

Industry Panel: What Does It Mean to be Safe on Set?

Youth Masterclass, in partnership with ATOM Qld and Essential Screen Skills

APSA Forum Screenings, Gold Coast: Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist (Aku Wa Sonzai Shinai, Japan, Queensland premiere), APSA nominated for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography (Yoshio Kitagawa). Followed by an exclusive Q&A with producer Satoshi Takata.

Rima Das’ Tora’s Husband (India, Queensland premiere), APSA nominated for Best Director. Following the exclusive panel Strengthening Bonds: Australia and India with writer/director Rima Das, nominee and member of the APSA Youth, Animation, Documentary International Jury.

Anthony Shim’s Riceboy Sleeps (Canada), APSA nominated for Best Screenplay. Followed by an exclusive Q&A with writer, director, producer Anthony Shim (Canada, Republic of Korea).

Zihan Geng’sA Song Sung Blue (People’s Republic of China, Queensland premiere), APSA nominated for Best Cinematography. Followed by an exclusive Q&A with cinematographer Hao Jiayue and producer Jane Zhang, and networking drinks with WIFT Queensland.

Amanda Nell Eu’s Tiger Stripes (Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, France, Germany, Netherlands, Indonesia, Qatar), APSA nominated for Best Youth Film.

Ricard Cussó & Tania Vincent’s Scarygirl (Australia), APSA nominated for Best Animated Film and opening in cinemas nationally on October 26.