Gordon CHAN

Hong Kong

Celebrated Hong Kong director and Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild Gordon CHAN is the helmer of box office successes such as King of Beggars (1992) and Thunderbolt (1995), and the award-winning Beast Cops (1998), which has won him the Best Director award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. CHAN has been nominated for his work in directing as well as scriptwriting, the most recent of which is for A1 Headline (2004).

Tsuguhiko KADOKAWA

Japan

Chairman of the Tokyo International Film Festival since 2003, Tsuguhiko KADOKAWA is one of the most prominent members of the Japanese film industry. He is the chairman and CEO of Kadokawa Group Holdings, Inc., which has under its control more than 40 affiliated companies such as publishing companies, movie/visual business companies, cross media business companies and business support companies inside and outside Japan. Under his leadership, the Tokyo International Film Festival has expanded to include two new markets, namely TIFFCOM for film and television and Akihabara Enta-Matsuri for Anime, game and comic, held concurrently with the TIFF.

Peter LAM

Hong Kong

Peter LAM is the Chairman of Lai Sun Group and Member of  Executive Committee of Media Asia Group, as well as the director of the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong, a member of the Hong Kong Hotel Owners Association, a council member of the Anglo-Hong Kong Trust and a non-official member of the Film Development Committee.  A major figure in the entertainment business, LAM has been the Chairman of the Hong Kong Chamber of Films since its establishment in

LAW Kar

Hong Kong

A respected film critic and scholar of Hong Kong cinema, LAW Kar has published numerous critical volumes on the development of Hong Kong films. LAW is one of the members of the Hong Kong Film Critics Society, and has served as the programmer of the Hong Kong International Film Festival for 10 years. He was a member of the Film Development Fund Projects Vetting Committee from 2002-2004. With an encyclopaedic knowledge on Hong Kong film, Law is also the former programmer of the Hong Kong Film Archive.

Marco Müeller

Italy

Born in Rome in 1953, Marco Müeller was educated as anthropologist and orientalist (in Italy and in China). Since 1977 he worked as a cinema critic and historian (on Asian cinema and other subjects) and is author of TV-documentaries. After he created the mammoth festival "Electric Shadows" in Turin (1981), he directed Pesaro (Italy), Rotterdam (Nerherlands) and Locarno (Switzerland film festivals. Inventor of film funds (Hubert Bals Fund in Rotterdam, Fondazione Montecinemaverità in Locarno/Lugano, Fondazione Officina Cinema Sud Est in Bologna), since 1997 he has been a producer for the new production units (Fabrica Cinema, Fowntown Pictures, Riforma Film) he brought up with a filmography of 14 features (among which an Oscar,five awards in Cannes, three in Venice and two in Berlin). Since 2001 he started again teaching, he hold the chair of Production Design at Mario Botta's Academy of Srchitecture and is also currently dean of the Conservatory for Audio Visual Sciences in Lugano. From 2004 he is the director of the Venice Film Festival.

NG See-yuen

Hong Kong

Known as the "Godfather of Hong Kong Cinema", NG See-yuen has been hailed as one of the most innovative producers / directors in the region. In recent years, Ng has served as the President of Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild, and is currently its Honorary Permanent President. He was the Chairman of Hong Kong Film Awards Association (1995-2000), and is now the Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, a member of Hong Kong Film Services Advisory Committee and a member of Commission on Strategic Development.

Nansun SHI

Hong Kong

Esteemed and prolific producer Nansun SHI has produced such blockbuster hits as Dragon Tiger Gate (2006), Infernal Affairs (2002), the Once Upon a Time in China series (1991-1997), and the Aces Goes Places series (1982-1986). Named by Variety magazine as one of the 50 most influential independent filmmakers around the world and Producer of the Year by CineAsia in 2005. SHI was pivotal in the success of Cinema City and Film Workshop Co Ltd, which she founded with her director husband Tsui Hark. Committed to the progress of Hong Kong cinema, SHI is a member of the Hong Kong Film Development Council. In 2007, Shi was appointed as one of the seven jurors of the Berlin festival’s main competition.

Johnnie TO

Hong Kong

Critically acclaimed and commercially successful director Johnnie TO was the three-time recipient of the Best Director Award at the Hong Kong Film Awards for his work Election (2005), PTU (2003) and The Mission (1999), as well as winner of the Best Director Awards at the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan, for Breaking News (2004) and The Mission. His films have made a presence in the international film festival circuit, and were screened at Cannes, Venice and Toronto Film Festivals. TO is also the Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council’s Film and Media Arts group.

Raymond WONG

Hong Kong

Now the Assistant Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Raymond YIP joined the TDC in 1979, and has worked in different positions and TDC offices (New York, Tokyo and London). His latest postings include: Director, Information Service (E-Commerce development); Regional Director, Western Europe/Middle East & Africa (based in London); and Director, Service Promotion. At present, YIP overseas the Industry Promotion Division which spearheads TDC's manufacturing and service industries' promotion strategy and programme in Mainland China and overseas.

Manfred Wong

Hong Kong

Famed filmmaker Manfred WONG has been a fixture in Hong Kong film industry since the 1980s, earning his reputation for directing, scriptwriting, producing, acting and talent management. As Chairman, WONG now presides over the Hong Kong Film Awards Association. He also serves as a member of the steering committee of the Hong Kong–Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).

Raymond YIP

Hong Kong

Now the Assistant Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Raymond YIPYip joined the TDC in 1979, and has worked in different positions and TDC offices (New York, Tokyo and London). His latest postings include: Director, Information Service (E-Commerce development); Regional Director, Western Europe/Middle East & Africa (based in London); and Director, Service Promotion. At present, YIPYip overseas the Industry Promotion Division which spearheads TDC's manufacturing and service industries' promotion strategy and programme in Mainland China and overseas.

LI Qian-kuan

Chinese mainland

Helmer of acclaimed fare Kai Guo Da Dian (1989), Chongqing Tan Pan (1993) and The Lu Gou Qiao Incident (1995) LI Qian-Kuan was the winner of the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards for Films. LI has organised a number of film industry events in China, such as the opening ceremony for the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers awards. Under LI's leadership as chairman, the China Film Foundation has launched the "Wan Ying Ji Hau"–an initiative to show films to youths, the elderly and the disenfranchised schools in remote areas. LI is involved in politics as a representative of the Chinese film industry. He has been a delegate of the Chinese People's Representative, and is now a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee. The Chinese Film Museum and Film Channel was established with LI's recommendation. At the celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of Chinese Cinema, LI was named one of the filmmakers with outstanding contribution to China.

Kanako HAYASHI

Japan

Kanako HAYASHI is the director of TOKYO FILMeX, established in 2000, which focuses on exciting new films from Asia and the Middle East. Prior to working for the Tokyo Filmex, HAYASHI has been a coordinator at the Kawakita Memorial Film Institute. She was a member of the jury of the First movie award, 2002 Berlin International Film Festival, and the Netpac award for the 2003 Locarno International Film Festival. In 2007, HAYASHI was appointed as a juror for the Manfred Salzgeber Prize for the Berlin International Film Festival.

HUANG Jianxin

Chinese mainland

One of the most prominent "Fifth Generation" Chinese directors, HUANG has made his name with The Black Cannon Incident in 1985, which won him the Golden Rooster Award for Best Director. His films, such as The Marriage Certificate (2001) and Surveillance (1995), were screened in various international film festivals to great reception, including Cannes, Berlin, New York, Tokyo, San Sebastian, Munich, San Francisco, Rotterdam, and Toronto, and were selected as one of the 10 Greatest Chinese Films for three times in the Hong Kong International Film Festival. HUANG is also the president of the China Film Directors’ Association.

OH Jung-wan

South Korea

Founder and president of b.o.m. Film Productions OH Jung-wan is one of the producers that reenergised the Korean film industry with her distinguishing work such as Untold Scandal (2003) and A Bittersweet Life (2005). Through her production company b.o.m., established in 1999, she has produced a string of box office hits, such as The Foul King (2000), A Tale of Two Sisters (2003), and The Uninvited (2003). OH was a member of the International Short Film Jury of the 2006 Berlin Film Festival, and one of the International Advisors for the Hong Kong–Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).

Winnie TSANG

Hong Kong

A veteran in film acquisition, distribution and marketing, Winnie TSANG was the General Manager of Panasia Films Limited (a company of the Golden Harvest Group) from 1989 to 1998. Upon leaving Golden Harvest after 23 years of service, she founded Golden Scene Company Limited in 1998. As an independent distributor, Golden Scene is renowned for its diverse lineup and has transformed long shots like Ring, Iron Ladies and Quill into box office miracles. As an international sales, the company handles the world distribution of films like Everlasting Regret and The Heavenly Kings. TSANG was also a Director of the Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories Motion Picture Industry Association (MPIA) from 1989 to 2003.

Norman WANG

International

Experienced media consultant and film publicist Norman WANG started his career in public relations in New York. In 2000, Wang moved back to Hong Kong become Development Executive for Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia. He is now a consultant for the Berlin Film Festival. He is also a member of the steering committee of the Hong Kong–Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).

Pearl WONG

Hong Kong

With over fifteen years of experience in the media industry, including the management and co-ordination of film promotion campaigns, events and concerts, Pearl WONG is now the General Manager of the Hong Kong office of yU+co (HK). yU+co is the award-winning multimedia, motion graphics design, visual effects, production and post production company that has designed main title sequence for The Memoir of a Geisha, Brokeback Mountain and Mission Impossible 2. Pearl WONG previously held the position of General Manager of Hong Kong Commercial Radio Broadcasting Ltd.

Michael LEOW

Hong Kong

AN Cheong-sook

South Korea

Chairperson of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) since 2005, AN Cheong-sook was previously on the first KOFIC board of commissioners that was instated in 1999. An has been as esteemed journalist who worked for the progressive Hankyoreh Newspaper from 1987-2004, then took over the job of Editor-in-Chief of Korea’s leading film magazine Cine21. She was a research fellow at the University of California, and is now a member of the Women In Film Korea board of directors.

Peggy CHIAO

Taiwan, Chinese mainland

Considered one of the major figures in shaping New Taiwan Cinema in the 80s and 90s, Peggy CHIAO is the founder of China Express Film Awards and the Taiwan Film Center. She has contributed to the script of award-winning films Actress (1992) and Beijing Bicycle (2001). CHIAO is now the head of Arc Light Films, which works with prominent figures in Chinese Cinema such as Ann Hui, Stanley Kwan, Tsai Ming-liang and Wang Xiaoshuai. Apart from many creative and administrative works, CHIAO also teaches at the Graduate school of films in Taipei National University of the Arts and serves as a juror for films festivals including Berlin, Venice, Rotterdam, Sydney, Toronto, Hong Kong, and Fukuoka. A published film scholar, CHIAO has penned more than 45 books.

Roger GARCIA

US

Roger GARCIA was director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival and continues to consult on film festival programs in the US and Europe. He has produced studio and independent feature films in the US and Asia and television programs in the US. His writings on cinema have been published extensively by the British Film Institute, Cahiers du Cinema, Variety, Far East Economic Review, Film Comment. His latest book is "Asia Sings!" a survey of Asian musicals.

HUANG Jianxin

Chinese Mainland

One of the most prominent “Fifth Generation” Chinese directors, HUANGHuang has made his name with The Black Cannon Incident in 1985, which won him the Golden Rooster Award for Best Director. His films, such as The Marriage Certificate (2001) and Surveillance (1995), were screened in various international film festivals to great reception, including Cannes, Berlin, New York, Tokyo, San Sebastian, Munich, San Francisco, Rotterdam, and Toronto, and were selected as one of the 10 Greatest Chinese Films for three times in the Hong Kong International Film Festival. HUANGHuang is also the president of the China Film Directors’ Association.

Shozo ICHIYAMA

Japan

Producer Shozo ICHIYAM has worked with Japanese director Takeshi Kitano and Taiwanese auteur Hou Hsiao-hsien, producing for the latter Good Men, Good Women (1995), Goodbye South, Goodbye (1996), and Flowers Of Shanghai (1998). ICHIYAM’s other production includes Blackboards (2000) by Samira Makhmalbaf, which won the Jury Prize in Cannes Film Festival. Ichiyama has served as a juror for various international film festivals, including Venice (Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica 2004), Locarno (Netpac Award 2006) and Rotterdam. Apart from his producing work, ICHIYAM also acts as programme director for the TOKYO FILMeX.

Christian JEUNE

France

Christian JEUNE is the Director of Film Department and Deputy Director Delegate of the Cannes International Film Festival, responsible for recommending films for Competition, Un Certain Regard, Cinefondation and the Shorts Competition. In 2006, JEUNE served as the Chairman of the jury in the Digital Lokal Competition at the Cinemanila International Festival, as well as a juror of the New Currents section at the Pusan Film Festival. JEUNE has also translated more than 100 English films into French.

KIM Ji-seok

South Korea

As one of the founders of the Pusan Film Festival, KIM Ji-seok has been serving as the programmer for Asian cinema of the festival ever since its inception in 1996. He was a professor at the Pusan Art College and the editor of the film journal Film Language. A respected film critic and expert on Asian cinema, KIM is a member of the Busan Film Critics Association.

Peter LOEHR

Chinese mainland, US

Veteran producer Peter LOEHR has been involved in film production in China since the 1990s with the establishment of Imar Film Co., Ltd., China's first independent film company. He has since founded Ming Productions, which produces large scale Asian-theme films in 2002 and Dragon Studios, the first management and production services company in China, in 2004. LOEHR has produced nine feature films in China, including Shower (1999) and Quitting (2001), both equally well-received in various international film festivals. In 2005, LOEHR became Managing Director of Creative Artists Agency in China.

Marco Müeller

Italy

Born in Rome in 1953, Marco Müeller was educated as anthropologist and orientalist (in Italy and in China). Since 1977 he worked as a cinema critic and historian (on Asian cinema and other subjects) and is author of TV-documentaries. After he created the mammoth festival "Electric Shadows" in Turin (1981), he directed Pesaro (Italy), Rotterdam (Nerherlands) and Locarno (Switzerland film festivals. Inventor of film funds (Hubert Bals Fund in Rotterdam, Fondazione Montecinemaverità in Locarno/Lugano, Fondazione Officina Cinema Sud Est in Bologna), since 1997 he has been a producer for the new production units (Fabrica Cinema, Fowntown Pictures, Riforma Film) he brought up with a filmography of 14 features (among which an Oscar,five awards in Cannes, three in Venice and two in Berlin). Since 2001 he started again teaching, he hold the chair of Production Design at Mario Botta's Academy of Srchitecture and is also currently dean of the Conservatory for Audio Visual Sciences in Lugano. From 2004 he is the director of the Venice Film Festival.

NG See-yuen

Hong Kong

Known as the "Godfather of Hong Kong Cinema", NG See-yuen has been hailed as one of the most innovative producers / directors in the region. In recent years, Ng has served as the President of Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild, and is currently its Honorary Permanent President. He was the Chairman of Hong Kong Film Awards Association (1995-2000), and is now the Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, a member of Hong Kong Film Services Advisory Committee and a member of Commission on Strategic Development.

Tony RAYNS

International

Tony RAYNS is a London-based film-maker, critic and festival programmer with a special interest in East Asian cinemas. He is a contributing editor of SIGHT & SOUND and also writes for other leading film magazines, including CAHIERS DU CINEMA, FILM COMMENT and CINEMASCOPE. He programmed East Asian film for the Vancouver International Film Festival from 1989 to 2006, and remains an adviser on the Dragons & Tigers section of the programme; he also programmes for London Film Festival and has been an advisor to Pusan International Film Festival since its inception. His publications include books on Fassbinder, Chinese, Japanese and Korean cinema; his own films include the documentaries NEW CHINESE CINEMA and THE JANG SUN-WOO VARIATIONS. He was awarded the 2004 Kawakita Prize for services to Japanese cinema.

Kong RITHDEE

Thailand

Kong RITHDEE is the film critic of The Bangkok Post, Thailand's leading English-language newspaper. He's also involved with The Thai Film Foundation to promote independent Thai films at home and abroad.

Meenashi SHEDDE

India

Winner of the National Award for Best Film Critic, Meenashi SHEDDE was on the FIPRESCI International Critics' Jury of the Cannes, Berlin and Venice festivals, and on the International Jury of the Mar del Plata film festival, Argentina. She is also a key advisor on Indian cinema to the Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Toronto, London and Pusan film festivals. A film curator, and director of the short film 'Looking For Amitabh', she has written for Cahiers du Cinema, Film Comment, Sight and Sound, Cinemaya, rouge.com.au and for the books 'Au Sud du Cinema' and 'Bollywood: Das Indische Kino und die Schweiz'.

Christoph TERCHECTE

Germany

Christoph TERCHECTE was appointed director of the Directors’ Forum section in the Berlin International Film Festival in 2001. He has been a member of the selection committee of the International Forum of New Cinema since 1997. Prior to his work with the Berlin Film Festival, TERCHECTE was a film journalist and editor at the Berlin city magazine tip. He was also involved in the film selection and editorial work of the European Low Budget Film Forum in Hamburg until 1990.

Sozo TERUOKA

Japan

Sozo TERUOKA is a distinguished film critic and Asian film specialist. He is a lecturer in Asian films at Ikebukuro Community College, and the programming director for the Tokyo International Film Festival in the "Winds of Asia" section. TERUOKA was a member of the jury for the Hong Kong International Film Festival (2002), the Golden Horse Awards of Taiwan (2003), and Jakarta International Film Festival (2006).

Jacob WONG

Hong Kong

Jacob WONG is a curator of the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the director of the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF). He is also a delegate of the Berlin International Film Festival and the Locarno International Film Festival. And he pens a film column for The Hong Kong Economic Journal and Ming Pao.

XIE Fei

Chinese Mainland

Acclaimed Chinese director XIE Fei was the winner of the Golden Berlin Bear and Silver Berlin Bear for The Women from the Lake of Scented Souls (1993) and Black Snow (1990) respectively at the Berlin Film Festival. As professor, vice president of the Beijing Film Academy, he has helped nurtured the celebrated "Fifth Generation" Chinese directors. He is Vice Chairman of the Chinese Filmmakers' Association, as well as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Chinese Film Directors' Association. In 2001, XIE to be invited to the panel of jury of the Berlin Film Festival.

Wouter BARENDRECHT

International

Wouter BARENDRECHT is the founder and co-chairman of Fortissimo Film Sales, one of the world’s leading international film sales organisations. BARENDRECHT has served as a juror in numerous international film festivals, including Jerusalem, Berlin, Pusan, Rio de Janeiro, Sarajevo, Tehran, and Sydney, and was the director of the inaugural Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum in 2000. He is a member of the European Film Academy, a board member of CineMart of the International Film Festival of Rotterdam, an advisory board member of the Thai Film Federation, and recipient of numerous awards, including the Golden Hugo (Chicago), the Golden Kinnarree (Bangkok) and the European Exporter of the Year Award.