Advancing to betterment

THE Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) has selected 11 projects from across South-East Asia to participate in its 2018 Talent Lab, conducted by Tribeca Film Institute (TFI).

Of the 11, three projects are from Malaysia – Siri, represented by producer Lim Ying Xian, Selfie To Freedom by director/producer Nor Arlene Tan and Black Velvet from director Shanjhey Kumar Perumal.

According to the press release, the pool consists of eight narrative features and three documentaries all in various stages of production. Other than Malaysia, the chosen projects are from Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand.

The Talent Lab provides an opportunity for directors, screenwriters and producers to learn about grant writing and project pitching process.

At the end of the three-day workshop, a jury will select one project for the TFI Network market, in New York City, during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. TFI will also mentor the winning filmmaker or filmmaking team through the completion of their project. All participants in the Talent Lab will receive preferential consideration for any of TFI’s grants.

This is the ninth year of LPFF, and the third year in collaboration with TFI on the Talent Lab.

LPFF takes place every December in the Unesco World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, Laos.

This year, it is happening from Dec 7-12.

The festival, which celebrates SEA cinema, will feature a range of feature film screenings, short film programmes, public discussions and events.

For more on the Luang Prabang Film Festival, visit www.lpfilmfest.org

Shanjhey is one of the directors selected for this year’s Talent Lab.

— RAYMOND OOI/The Star