Garcia to head HK Film Festival

AnD is happy to welcome the new head to the HKIFF!

Here's a news item posted on filmbiz.asia:

http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/garcia-to-head-hk-film-festival?utmsource=fba&utmmedium=email&utm_campaign=weekly

Garcia to head HK Film Festival

By Patrick Frater

Thu, 02 September 2010, 12:26 PM (HKT)

Executive Shuffle News

Roger Garcia has been appointed executive director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (香港國際電影節). He replaces Shaw Soo-wei (邵素薇) who has been in the job since September 2008.

Garcia has been a strategic and programming consultant, adviser, curator and juror for many international film festivals in Europe, US and Asia. He was also previously director of the HKIFF in the late 1970s. He has also been a regular film critic.

Born in Hong Kong and currently based in Los Angeles, Garcia is also an active film producer. He recently produced Filipino director Raymond Red's Manila Skies (Himpapawid).

"As a pioneer in Asian film programming, Garcia has played a pivotal role in both the evolution of the [HKIFF] Society and the development of festivals globally," said Wilfred Wong, chairman of the HKIFFS. "He brings a deep understanding of the HKIFF brand and culture, the needs of the changing film economy and is the ideal successor to continue the recognition and growth of Asia’s leading film events."

The role involves oversight not just of the festival, but also the Asian Film Awards (AFA) and the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).

“My film career basically began with the HKIFF," said Garcia in a prepared statement. “It was the first international film festival in Asia and over the years its programmes of discovery and revelation have had much to do with the acceptance of Asian and Hong Kong cinema around the world. I have much affection and personal connection to the festival and it’s an honour to come on board again, and help to steer it to new horizons."