Macau's FDC Launches Subsidy Grants for TV Producers, Filmmakers

Following its successful launch in February last year, the Macao International Queer Film Festival (MIQFF) is making a comeback for its second edition this month.

Themed “Love is the Answer,” the festival will screen 14 feature films and five short films that showcase the diverse nature of the queer community. These films will be shown from March 22 to April 6 at the Emperor Cinema in Lisboeta Macau.

One of the films to be featured in the festival is the award-winning queer film “Housekeeping for Beginners,” which bagged the Silver Q-Hugo award at the 2023 Chicago International Film Festival and the Queer Lion recognition at the 2023 Venice Film Festival.

Other films to be screened include American production “Mutt,” Japanese film “Kubi,” English independent film “Femme,” Taiwan’s “Murmur of Youth,” and “Blue Gate Crossing,” among others.

Tickets to these films are available via Emperor Cinema’s website. To learn more about the festival, you can visit MIQFF’s website or follow its Facebook and Instagram pages.

The games are on! The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is set to bring the competition to Macau this April, as the city will be hosting its 2024 Men's and Women's World Cup.

In an announcement, ITTF revealed that this year’s Men's and Women's World Cup will take place at the Galaxy Arena from April 15 to 21, in partnership with the Sports Bureau, Galaxy Entertainment Group, and World Table Tennis Management Group Limited (WTMG).

The tournament will see 48 elite players from across the globe competing for the championship title. This includes reigning World U19 champions, with the aim of bringing young athletes’ talents forward to the global stage.

Aside from the most-coveted championship title, the players will also be vying for the US$1 million prize money through a series of breathtaking matches.

In efforts to make innovations with the games, the competition will also have new playing systems in place, including a round-robin tournament and a modified snake grouping system.

In a separate statement, Macau’s Sports Bureau said that the announcement demonstrates ITTF’s trust in the region’s ability to host major international table tennis events.

More details about the ITTF Men's and Women's World Cup will be unveiled soon. In the meantime, you can visit ITTF’s website or follow their Facebook and Instagram pages for more updates.

American golfer John Catlin made a triumphant comeback and secured victory at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, after a dramatic two-hole playoff against David Puig at the Macau Golf and Country Club.

He started the final day with a two-stroke lead and looked poised for a comfortable win after extending his lead to five shots at one point. However, a late surge from Puig, who birdied 12, eagled 13, and birdied 15 and 16, forced Catlin into a playoff.

Filled with tension and excitement, Catlin missed a birdie putt on the final hole of regulation play but managed to stay in the game during the playoff. Puig appeared to have the advantage on the first playoff hole, but Catlin's determination kept him in the game.

With perseverance, Catlin made history by shooting an impressive 11-under-par 59, becoming the first player to break 60 on the Asian Tour. He continued to show his tenacity, ultimately emerging victorious after getting up and down for a birdie on the 18th hole.

According to him winning the top spot was “really, really special” for him since he fought hard all week. “Still hasn't quite sunk in, and that was one heck of a battle,” he stated.

In efforts to promote Macao’s local film and TV production industry, the Cultural Affairs Bureau, also known as the Instituto Cultural (IC), is launching the first edition of the “Macao International Shorts Film Festival.”

To run from March 23-30, the film festival will feature various screening activities, lectures, workshops, and an award ceremony that will honour the best of Macao’s short film industry. It will be held in cooperation with Galaxy Entertainment Group, one of Asia’s leading hotel and casino operators.

The festival will run in four segments: “Macao Shorts,” “New Voices from Horizon,” “Director In Focus,” and “Special Screenings.” Each segment will have corresponding awards, such as the “Best Short Film,” “Best Director Award,” and "Macao Unit Award,” among others.

For “Macao Shorts,” 10 shortlisted local films will be screened, including “A Beautiful Journey: Documentary of Na Tcha Customs and Beliefs” by U Chi Wan, “The Melancholy of Gods” by Lei Cheok Mei, and “Before the Flight” by Chan Teng Teng.

Meanwhile, “New Voices from Horizon” will feature about 20 films from young filmmakers from various parts of the world. In “Director in Focus,” a selected roster of work from talented directors will be showcased, including renowned Japanese director Shunji Iwai.

Lastly, the non-competitive section “Special Screenings” will exhibit some of the most innovative, artistic, and socially relevant film productions in and out of Macao.

Tickets to the festival will be available starting March 10 via Macau Ticket’s website.

Welcome the Year of the Dragon with a sensational performance by the award-winning Taiwanese singer A-Lin at the MGM Theatre on Feb. 12 and 13! Dubbed the Mandopop Queen, A-Lin will be taking the stage serenading the audience with her powerful and flawless vocals.

The two-night concert, “A-Lin Chinese New Year Music Show at MGM,” promises exceptional entertainment for all. According to MGM, the theatre will be transformed into a breathtaking setting that features dazzling visuals.

A-Lin (Huang Liling) is a singer-songwriter of Amis descent who debuted in 2006 and has been stealing hearts with her music since. Combining her explosive vocals with lyrics written to tug at your heartstrings, she gained massive success with her hit singles like “Give Me a Reason to Forget,” “Before, After,” “Happiness, and Then,” and “Lovelorn, Not Guilty.”

A-Lin will bring a heartwarming audiovisual extravaganza to Macau with songs that will make you reminisce in one minute and sway your hips the next.

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a heartfelt performance by A-Lin. Click here to purchase your tickets.

Music and travel have always been part of each other. To prove this true, the Macao Government Tourism Office, Singaporean rapper-songwriter J.M3, Warner Music Singapore, and travel company Tripadvisor have joined hands in a new campaign targeted at promoting the region’s tourism.

Called “More Than Meets Macao,” the campaign showcases the beauty of Macao with mesmerising videos and interviews with the Singaporean artist. These clips unveil Macao’s exciting attractions, from intriguing museums to cultural destinations, and everything the city has to offer.

The campaign also leverages J.M3’s recently released single, “You Make Me Feel,” a pop-rap and hip-hop track that captures the beauty of Macao. The track was also made during the rapper’s visit to the city, resulting in an energetic song that evokes the city’s vibes.

Some of the attractions featured in the campaign include Neon Signs in Old Macao, St. Lazarus Quarters, Taipa Houses, and Senado Square, among others. The videos also show J.M3 visiting the Lung Wah Tea House, Lai Kei Sorvetes, and Seong Cheong, some of Macao’s best food spots.

“I’m honored to be part of this incredible partnership that combines music, travel, and the enchanting city of Macao. My trip was an amazing experience, where I discovered a perfect blend of Eastern and Western influences in the region’s architecture and cuisine,” J.M3 said in a press release.

The “More Than Meets Macao” campaign is launched across J.M3, Macao Government Tourism Office, and Tripadvisor’s social media pages. To learn more about J.M3’s Macao trip, go here.