Dear Filmmakers and friends of the AAYFF,
Following the outbreak of the coronavirus, which has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization, AAYFF has no option but to cancel the upcoming edition of AAYFF Hong Kong. Several factors informed this decision, including: abiding concern for the safety of international attendees; the logistical challenges facing film students and teachers due to school closures across Asia; and the difficulties involved in planning international travel, all due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Tessie Word, Co-Chair of the Curriculum of Film ESF and the current Co-Director of AAYFF 2020 says: Our sympathies are with those affected by the recent coronavirus outbreak around the world. The decision to cancel AAYFF Hong Kong was an extremely difficult one for us. We explored every other possible option before doing so, including postponing or creating an online only festival, gathering input from the AAYFF team of teachers, students and sponsors. We are very aware of the important role that the festival plays within the region's cultural scene of encouraging and supporting quality student film work. Our team dedicated extensive time and effort to ensure that the festival in June would be a success.
Sadly, the outbreak and sudden rapid spread of the novel coronavirus dramatically changed the situation. We are deeply grateful to our participants, partners, and friends all over the world, and especially in Hong Kong, who have committed their time and energies to this most worthy event, the largest student film festival in Asia. We hope to support the festival in future years.
Thank you to all the filmmakers who submitted their films this year and to anyone who was involved in production or planning a film, we hope you won't be discouraged. All films will be admissible to the next edition of the festival, news of which will be shared once we have made the necessary arrangements with our new hosts. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions.
Best wishes,
The AAYFF Team
Across Asia Film Festival
www.aayff.com
#AAYFF2020