MEDIA RELEASE PR36159
Korea Takes Leading Role in 2009 Asia Pacific Screen Awards
SEOUL, Sept. 17 /Medianet International-AsiaNet/ --
The Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) today announced the appointment of acclaimed Korean writer-
director, Gina Kim, to its 2009 International Jury.
The announcement was made at a creative industries networking reception in Seoul following the recent
Asia-Pacific Cities Summit.
"Gina Kim is one of Korea's most impressive young filmmakers and I warmly welcome her to the APSA
Jury," said APSA Chairman, Des Power.
"212 films from 43 countries have been submitted this year, a record number of entries. I know that Gina will
make a valuable contribution to the difficult task of choosing those that best demonstrate cinematic excellence
and attest to their cultural origins."
Among the guests at the reception were notable Korean filmmakers including members of the Academy of
the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and 2008 APSA Juror, Hanna Lee (Producer, Secret Sunshine).
Gina Kim attended the reception, arriving in Seoul direct from the prestigious Venice Film Festival where
she sat on the Orizzonti Jury and presented the world premiere of her new feature length documentary Faces
of Seoul.
Ms Kim said, "It is an honour to represent the Republic of Korea on the International Jury of the Asia Pacific
Screen Awards and I look forward to collaborating with my fellow Jury members. An international award of this
calibre is very meaningful to the way films are perceived and promoted around the world."
Gina Kim's appointment to the APSA Jury comes ahead of next week's announcement of the 2009 Jury
President.
APSA has had a strong association with the Republic of Korea since its inception with several films
receiving APSAs including Ggeutnaji Anhmeun Jeon Jaeng (Best Documentary Feature 2008), Joheunnom
Nabbeunnom Isanghannom (Achievement in Cinematography 2008) and Miryang which was awarded Best
Feature Film in 2007 and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Jeon Do-Yeon's performance
in the film.
Eminent Korean filmmaker and author, Professor Hong-Joon Kim is the chair of the APSA Nominations
Council, a distinguished panel of international film industry experts who meet in Brisbane, Australia next week
to decide nominees in nine categories. The winners are then determined by the International Jury ahead of the
third annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards ceremony on November 26, 2009, on Australia's Gold Coast.
Born in 1973 in Seoul, writer-director Gina Kim graduated from the Seoul National University and then
moved to the US where she completed her MFA at CalArts. Gina's films have screened at festivals throughout
the world, including Berlin, Locarno, Rotterdam, Turin and Vancouver. Never Forever, produced by Lee
Chang-dong and starring American actress Vera Farmiga, screened in competition at the Sundance Film
Festival 2007 and was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the 2007 Deauville American Film Festival. Kim was
nominated for Best New Director of 2008 in Korea's prestigious Daejong Film Festival Grand Bell Awards. Kim
taught film production and film theory classes at Harvard University as a full-time lecturer for three years from
2004 to 2007. She is currently developing a new feature film in English, produced by Martin Scorsese.
A cultural initiative of the Queensland Government, APSA is a unique collaboration between CNN
International, UNESCO and FIAPF-International Federation of Film Producers Associations. APSA honours
the works of filmmakers across a region covering 70 countries, one third of the Earth and half the world's film
output.
SOURCE: The Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA)
CONTACT: Jill Robson
M: +61 (0) 458 404 527
jill@apscreenawards.com
or visit:
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