The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) announced in a statement yesterday that the 2nd Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) Macao International Shorts Film Festival (MISFF) concluded yesterday with French film “No Skate!” directed by Guil Sela winning the Best Short Film Award, while “Waves Under the Sea” by Chan Si Ieong received the Macao Unit Award.
The closing and awards ceremony was held on Saturday at the Galaxy Auditorium in the Galaxy International Convention Centre, the statement said, adding that the festival brought together outstanding works from 31 countries and regions.
The ceremony was attended by IC President Deland Leong Wai Man, GEG Vice President of Public Relations Annie Loi Sin Kei, International Advisory Board Chairperson Jason Anderson, jury members, participating directors and international industry guests, including João Pedro Rodrigues, João Rui Guerra da Mata and Fala Chen (陳法拉), the bureau stated.
In her speech, Leong said this year’s edition “presented outstanding short films of diverse styles, offering the audience a feast of visual artistry with thought-provoking content.”
She pledged her bureau’s continued support for local productions and its goal to build the festival into a benchmark platform for global short film exchange, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, Anderson highlighted that supporting emerging filmmakers “not only boosts their confidence but also helps them reach the stages of international film festivals.”
Other awards included Best Director for Tawfeek Barhom (“I’m Glad You’re Dead Now”), Innovative Storytelling Award for Gonçalo Almeida (“Atom & Void”), and Jury Special Mention for Dina Rezaei (“Conex”), the statement said.
In the Macao Shorts section, “Granny Pirate3: Typhoon Again” by Vitty Ho Wai Tong earned a Jury Special Mention. The East Asia of Tomorrow Award went to Dear Kankan by Hana Zhang and Eugene Lee, the statement added.
With screenings, forums, and workshops held across Galaxy Cinemas and Cinematheque•Passion, the festival aimed to provide a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase creativity while strengthening Macau’s role as a hub for international film culture and exchange.
This handout photo provided by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) yesterday shows guests and participants posing for a group photo during the closing and awards ceremony of the 2nd Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) Macao International Short Film Festival (MISFF) at the Galaxy Auditorium in the Galaxy International Convention Centre in Cotai on Saturday, including IC President IC President Deland Leong Wai Man (12th from left).
