The opening ceremony saw the presence of Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva Michael Moller and ambassadors and diplomats from ASEAN member states.
In his opening remarks, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations Evan P. Garcia spoke highly of the dynamic film industry in South East Asia and its footprints on the worldwide market.
The ASEAN film industry now has many opportunities with a number of outstanding productions that have won attention at international film festivals, such as Cannes (France) and Busan (the Republic of Korea), Garcia said.
He added that ASEAN nations have also been an alluring destination for foreign filmmakers who are impressed by the region’s magnificent landscapes, prosperity and creativeness.
The 2017 ASEAN Film Festival features films originating from ASEAN member states to share the diversity and way of life of the ASEAN community, to cultivate a better understanding of their values and cultures and to encourage and celebrate their film productions.
Vietnam joined the event with “Yellow Flowers in the Green Grass” (2015), among “Best of Times” (Thailand), “Only Love” (Laos), “Adam Eve Datsa” (Myanmar), “My Magic” (Singapore), “Redha” (Malaysia), “We Are Moluccans” (Indonesia) and “Yasmine” (Brunei).
The event will run through April 7.
