Singapore’s Anthony Chen Joins 2014 Asia Pacific Screen Awards International Jury

6th JUNE 2014, Singapore – Award-winning Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen will sit on the International Jury for this year’s Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA).

L-R: Michael Hawkins, Philip Green, Anthony Chen, Cr Adrian Schrinner

The appointment was announced at a special event at the private residence of Mr Philip Green, Australian High Commissioner to Singapore, and follows Anthony Chen’s 2013 APSA win for Achievement in Directing for his debut feature Ilo, Ilo, the first APSA win for a Singaporean film.

 

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards are held annually in Brisbane, Australia, which is also the venue for the upcoming 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit.

 

Brisbane-based APSA Chairman Michael Hawkins said it was a great pleasure to announce talented filmmaker Anthony Chen would be a member of the International Jury for 2014.

 

“It is a special moment for APSA as Mr Chen is the first International Jury member to represent Singapore,” Mr Hawkins said.  “We look forward to his involvement in the event in Brisbane for the second year in a row.”

 

One of Variety magazine’s 10 Directors to Watch, Anthony Chen said APSA was held in high regard because of its discerning and uncompromising quest to recognise the best filmmaking the Asia-Pacific region had to offer.

 

“It is a real honour for me to return to Brisbane as a jury member and even more special to be judging alongside Jury President Asghar Farhadi, a filmmaker I admire and respect greatly,” Mr Chen said.

 

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Brisbane Cr Adrian Schrinner also attended today’s event, along with APSA International Nominations Council member Mr Philip Cheah and members of the Singaporean film industry.

 

Cr Schrinner said this year’s Asia Pacific Screen Awards would be held on Thursday 11 December, a month after the city hosted the 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit.

 

“The summit will be the most important gathering of world leaders ever held in Australia, with members representing around 85 per cent of global GDP, more than 75 per cent of global trade and two-thirds of the world’s population,” Cr Schrinner said.

 

“Brisbane is Australia’s new world city, a rising star in the Asia Pacific and a key economic development hub.

 

“It’s estimated that 4000 delegates and up to 3000 media representatives will descend on the city in November and for two days Brisbane will be the capital of the world.

 

“Already considered a world-class destination for business, tourism and education, the 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit provides a once in a generation chance for Brisbane to step up and take its place among the emerging new world cities of the 21^st century.”

 

As host city of the summit, Australia has invited guest countries including Singapore to participate in the G20 this year.

 

Brisbane and Singapore enjoy close ties, with Singaporean companies like Frasers Hospitality and Silverneedle Hotels currently developing hotel projects in the city’s central business district.

 

Silverneedle’s NEXT Hotel project in Brisbane’s Queen St Mall is on track to open shortly, in time for the G20 Leaders Summit, while Fraser’s Hospitality’s office tower-to-hotel refurbishment project will open early next year.

 

The 8th Asia Pacific Screen Awards are presented by Treasury Casino & Hotel and will be held in Brisbane’s City Hall.

 

The awards are supported by Brisbane City Council and managed by economic development board Brisbane Marketing in a unique collaboration with Paris-based UNESCO and FIAPF–International Federation of Film Producers Associations.

 

They recognise and promote cinematic excellence and cultural diversity of the world’s fastest growing film region: comprising 70 countries and areas, 4.5 billion people, and responsible for half of the world’s film output.

 

In 2013, 39 films from 22 countries and areas received award nominations.

 

Ilo, Ilo, written and directed by Mr Chen, was selected for the Directors’ Fortnight at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and was awarded the Camera d’Or for Best Debut Feature, the first award for a Singapore feature film at Cannes. It picked up over 30 other awards at festivals worldwide including four Golden Horse Awards.

 

Inspired by a real-life maid who worked for Mr Chen’s family when he was a child, Ilo, Ilo chronicles the relationship between a Singaporean family of three and their newly-arrived Filipino maid, Teresa, who had come, like many other Filipino women, in search of a better life.

 

For more information on the awards visit www.asiapacificscreenacademy.com

For information on Brisbane, as the host city for the 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit, visit www.choosebrisbane.com.au

Konica Minolta Launches Tomorrow in Mind Campaign in the Region‏

Konica Minolta Launches Tomorrow in Mind Campaign in the Region‏
– The campaign emphasises that everyone, through small changes in their daily lives, can play a part in the conservation of the environment

5th June 2014, Singapore – Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia launches an all-encompassing campaign in the region – Tomorrow in Mind – to encourage everyone to play a part in the conservation of the environment.

 

Konica Minolta’s Tomorrow in Mind micro-site

A micro-site (http://konicaminolta-asia.com/tomorrowinmind/) has been set up by Konica Minolta, with the aim to inspire its employees, associates, partners and all members of the public to make a pledge to demonstrate their commitment to make small changes towards a better tomorrow. The key emphasis of the Tomorrow in Mind campaign is that every single individual and organisation, through small actions in their daily lives, can create a collective positive impact on the environment.

Through the micro-site, the brand suggests small actions, including using energy-saving bulbs at home, switching off lights during lunch breaks in office and printing in duplex and using multi-function devices. In addition, in conjunction with World Environment Day, the brand also encourages everyone to pledge to go car-free to reduce carbon emissions.

“This campaign echoes Konica Minolta’s philosophy, which is to be accountable, and that our actions should contribute to the creation of a sustainable environment. Through the Tomorrow in Mind campaign, we aim to educate, inspire, empower and involve the efforts of every single individual for a greener and cleaner future, because we believe that the future of the earth is, literally, in everyone’s hands,” said Ms Celine Long, Marketing Manager, Corporate Branding and Marketing, Regional Headquarters, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia.

An organisation dedicated to the preservation of the environment, Konica Minolta established Eco Vision 2050 in 2009, to achieve its future objectives and fulfil its responsibility as a global corporation by contributing to a sustainable earth and society. Eco Vision 2050 is a set of long-term goals that looks all the way out to the year 2050, focusing on the three aims of preventing global warming, promoting resource recycling, and preserving biodiversity.

In line with the organisation’s commitment to Giving Shape to Ideas, Konica Minolta will continue contributing to solutions for social challenges and drive environmentally innovations.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia

Konica Minolta Business Solutions, a leading company in advanced document management technologies and Managed IT Services for the desktop to the print shop, brings together unparalleled advances in security, print quality and network integration via its award-winning line of bizhub® multi-function products (MFPs); bizhub PRESS® and bizhub PRO® production print systems; magicolor® color printers; and pagepro® monochrome printers. Konica Minolta also offers software solutions and optimised print services to reduce document output cost, improve productivity and optimise office environment, backed by impeccable service and support team.

Konica Minolta adopts a proactive effort in reducing global environmental impact through its green product lifecycle.
In line with its core message “Giving Shape to Ideas,” Konica Minolta endeavours to respond to its customers’ needs across the world with relentless creativity, innovation and advance technology.

Konica Minolta is a registered trademark of Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. bizhub is a registered trademark of Konica Minolta, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

Konica Minolta, the logo, and other trademarks are trademarks of Konica Minolta and may not be used without permission

Acronis Selects Bite in Singapore‏

Singapore, 5 June 2014 – Acronis, a global leader in new generation data protection, has selected Bite as its communications agency of the record. The decision follows the announcement that the company is moving its international headquarters to Singapore.

With many organizations recognising their data as an important and untapped profit centre, there is a growing sense of urgency around protecting that data. Recognising this need, Acronis established its international headquarters in Singapore in order to capitalise on rising demand for the company’s advanced data management and security solutions across the Asia Pacific region.

“The communications landscape in Singapore has become much more dynamic in recent years, and technology enterprises need an agency that can offer a range of tightly integrated services to effectively deliver their message to a very diverse audience,” said Paul Mottram, Executive Vice President, Asia Pacific at Bite. “Acronis selected Bite because we have the right blend of media and market savviness, deep technology expertise and 360 degree approach to supporting the evolving needs of our clients in this always-on world.”

Adding momentum to an already robust technology business, the win further underscores the agency’s expertise in enterprise technology. Bite also serves a range of clients in the consumer, professional services and finance sectors.

Bite’s recent client successes have gained industry recognition. Bite was named Mid-Size Network of the Year 2013 by PRWeek / Campaign Asia and Asia Pacific Technology Agency of the Year 2013 by The Holmes Report. It most recently won a Bronze Award at the Singapore PR Awards for Best Digital Communications Strategy. The list of accolades acknowledges the agency’s deep expertise in the technology and corporate sectors, and its strong talent for integrated PR, social, search and digital marketing.

 

About Bite
With 15 locations around the world, Bite is a global marketing services agency with a proven methodology that helps clients develop differentiated positions, build digital footprints and win in the marketplace. Our business- and tech-savvy teams work with companies who are innovating in their fields, disrupting markets and changing the world. We attack every challenge with insight, analytics, methodology and creativity to drive hard-core business results. For more information, visit www.biteglobal.com

Indonesian President Soekarno Steps Into Madame Tussauds Hong Kong‏

HONG KONG, CHINA–Media OutReach–June 5, 2014–Indonesian founding father and one of Asia’s most important  national and international leaders, President Soekarno, made his way to Madame Tussauds Hong Kong today. The former President of Indonesia was warmly welcomed as he joined the most famous and influential political leaders of the world at the attraction.

Dressed in his trademark white military uniform displaying the colourful military ribbons, President Soekarno wears a black Peci hat and sports his friendly smile as he meets and greets with the people of Hong Kong. Guests of Madame Tussauds Hong Kong can get up close to this influential leader and bear witness to his wisdom that has inspired so many people.

Born in 1901 in Surabaya, Indonesia, Soekarno proclaimed his country’s independence on August 17, 1945, and served as its first president until 1966. He died in 1970, leaving an enormous legacy of supporting global peace and also sowing the seeds of modern Indonesia’s success.

“It is a great honour to host the new statue of President Soekarno, who has had a profound influence on the development of, not only Indonesia, but the Asia region as a whole. By bringing together world leaders, celebrities and other famous people, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong has become a pivotal attraction that combines entertainment with education and provides a valuable experience for the whole family,” says Kelly Mak, General Manager of Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.

To ensure that President Soekarno’s wax figure was recreated with precision, the sculptors went through an intricate research process to produce the wax figure, involving that including gathering information from Soekarno’s family and watching hours of video footage. President Soekarno’s wax figure will be on display at the Historical and National Heroes section, further strengthening the strong array of international leaders already present at the attraction.