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The 1st International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao (“IFFAM”) officially concluded today (13 December). The Awards Ceremony was held at Macao Cultural Centre at 8 p.m. tonight. Around 800 guests were present in the ceremony including many internationally-acclaimed directors, film stars, industry professionals and personages. The personages include the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Alexis Tam; Spouse of Chief Executive of the Macao SAR, Mrs. Winnie Chui; Deputy Director-General of the Department of Culture and Education of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Zhao Chuan Dong; Spouse of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Macao SAR, Counsellor Qiu Weiwei; Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; President of Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association (MFTPA) and Executive Vice President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Alvin Chau; IFFAM Image Ambassador Zhang Hanyu; IFFAM Talent Ambassador Rhydian Vaughan; acclaimed directors and Festival Ambassadors Ann Hui and Clemens Klopfenstein; Jury President of IFFAM, Shekhar Kapur; Jury members of IFFAM, Giovanna Fulvi, Stanley Kwan and Makiko Watanabe; as well as the director and co-writer of Oscars 2016 Best Picture "Spotlight”, Tom McCarthy, among other guests. MGTO Director and President of the IFFAM Organizing Committee, Senna Fernandes, stated in her closing remarks, “After an intensive program of activities from film screenings, Industry Hub, Masterclasses to press conferences and more over the last six days, tonight, we come to the closing of the International Film Festival & Awards‧ Macao. This inaugural edition of the Film Festival not only has elevated Macao’s international reputation, boosted the synergy between tourism and culture and promoted local tourism development, but also introduced world class exchange opportunities, functioned as a regional exchange platform and empowered the local film industry as well as the cultural and creative industry to progress, while widening the cultural perspectives of our local residents and bringing multi-faceted benefits to Macao at large.” Winners in Competition Section are announced The six-day Film Festival was a success and came to an end tonight. Winners in the Competition Section were announced and presented the awards on the closing night. The Competition pitted twelve films against each other for a total of eight awards and the Macao Audience Choice Award, which went to the most popular film voted by local audience. The twelve films are “150 Milligrams” (France), “Elon Doesn’t Believe in Death” (Brazil), “Free Fire” (United Kingdom), “Gurgaon” (India), “Hide and Seek” (China), “Queen of Spades” (Russia and Italy), “Saint George” (Portugal and France), “Shining Moment” (Hong Kong) , “Sisterhood” (Macao), “Survival Family” (Japan), “Trespass Against Us”(United Kingdom) and “The Winter” (Argentina and France). The winners were interviewed by media and shared their joy during the press conference held right after the Awards Ceremony at MGM Macau. The list of winners is as follows: Best Film: The Winter [presented by Jury President of IFFAM Shekhar Kapur and Academy-Award Winning Director Tom McCarthy] Best Director: Marco Martins (Saint George) [presented by Director Jonathan Chu and Festival Ambassador Ann Hui] Best Actor Award: Nuno Lopes (Saint George) [presented by Producer Jason Taylor and Actress Lisa Lu] Best Actress Award: Lyndsey Marshal (Trespass Against Us) [presented by IFFAM Actress in Focus Gwei Lun-mei and Actress Karena Lam] Award for Best Technical Contribution: Elon Doesn’t Believe in Death for Original Music & Sound Design - Sound: Pablo Lamar and Original Soundtrack: Daniel Saavedra [presented by Producer Todd Brown and Actress Jin Qiao Qiao] Award for Best Screenplay: Amy Jump, Ben Wheatley (Free Fire) [presented by Jury Member of IFFAM Giovanna Fulvi and Actor Chin Han] Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress: Jennifer Yu (Sisterhood) [presented by Producer Gianni Nunnari and Actress Margarida Vila-Nova] Jury Prize: Trespass Against Us [presented by Jury Members of IFFAM Stanley Kwan and Makiko Watanabe] Macao Audience Choice Award: Sisterhood [presented by Actress Josie Ho and IFFAM Talent Ambassador Rhydian Vaughan] To commend outstanding films and filmmakers, the IFFAM Organizing Committee and Variety Magazine jointly conferred the Asian Blockbuster Film 2016 on the Korean film “Train to Busan” [presented by Variety’s Asia Bureau Chief Patrick Frater and IFFAM Head of Festival Management Lorna Tee], besides the above awards in the Competition Section; in addition, the Macau Films & Television Productions and Culture Association (MFTPA) presented the “MFTPA Special Award for Contribution to Chinese Film” to the Chief Executive Officer of Bona Film Group Limited, film producer and distributor Yu Dong [presented by President of MFTPA Alvin Chau], while the Career Achievement Award was presented to acclaimed Mainland director and actor Feng Xiaogang [presented by Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government Alexis Tam]. With the aim to raise public awareness of the Film Festival, encourage people to participate and enhance the glamour of the event, the “CINEFANTASY International Short Film Screenwriting Competition 2016” was held to inspire creativity in screenwriting. Awards were presented to the winners at MGM Macau after the Awards Ceremony. Jointly organized by the IFFAM Organizing Committee and the International Council for Films, Television and Audiovisual Communication (ICFT), the “CINEFANTASY International Short Film Screenwriting Competition 2016” received 168 qualified submissions from 44 origins worldwide. The two final winners are Ilashree and Manasri Goswami from India (title of entry: “Legacy of Dreams”) and Alessa Ellefson from Belgium (title of entry: “The Seeker’s Key”). The Organizing Committee hopes that the event can introduce world-class exchange opportunities to the local cultural and creative industry, unleash a synergy between culture and tourism and enrich visitors’ cultural experience in Macao through different kinds of cultural tourism products and mega events, which will steer the tourism industry and the cultural and creative industry towards sustainable development in the long run, and support Macao to become a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. For more information and latest news of the 1st IFFAM, please visit http://iffamacao.com/en/
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The 2016 UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law) Emergence Conference on ‘Regional Perspectives on Contemporary and Future Harmonization Agenda in International Trade Law’, co-organised by the University of Macau (UM) and the UNCITRAL Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific, was held today (13 December) at the World Trade Center Macau. During the conference, experts and scholars from Australia, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Russia, the United States, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao discussed contemporary international legal issues arising out of various UNCITRAL texts and related harmonisation of law. During the conference, UM Rector Wei Zhao stressed the importance of the conference in fostering the role of teaching and research in the promotion of international trade law in the region, as well as the importance of cooperation between UM and international organisations like UNCITRAL in the creation and inculcation of knowledge. He also discussed the important role UM’s Faculty of Law plays in fostering teaching and research in pertinent areas of international trade and commercial law. Joao Ribeiro, head of the UNCITRAL Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific, delivered a keynote speech titled ‘Modernizing International Trade Law to Support Innovation and Sustainable Development’. Ribeiro highlighted the strategic opportunity to Macao to establish itself as a hub of legal services and knowledge sharing in the field of intellectual trade law, especially in the context of the Portuguese speaking jurisdictions. The two-day conference will cover many topics, including ‘Development of the Digital Economy: New Ways of Doing Business Domestically and Cross-Border’, ‘Enhancing Global Supply Chains by Reducing Legal Obstacles’, ‘Contemporary and Emerging Issues Related to Finance and Investment’, ‘Emerging Legal Issues in the Commercial Exploitation of Deep Seabed, Space and Artificial Intelligence’, and ‘Rule of Law and Access to Justice in the Context of Climate Change, Finance and Investment’. The opening session was also attended by Chui Sai Cheong, president of the World Trade Center Macau Arbitration Center; Ung Chi Keong, head of the Department of Legal Translation, Legal Affairs Bureau of the Macau SAR Government; Jorge Neto Valente, president of the Macau Lawyers Association; and Tong Io Cheng, interim dean of the UM’s Faculty of Law. This is the third consecutive year that UM and the UNCITRAL Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific have co-organised the annual conference. This year’s event also receives support from the World Trade Center Macau, the International Chamber of Commerce - International Court of Arbitration Asia, and the Asian Business Law Institute. The conference is a unique event leading up to the UNCITRAL Congress on ‘Modernising International Trade Law to Support Innovation and Sustainable Development’, which will be held in Vienna in July 2017.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in December on 13 December for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets at Lam Mau, Patane and San Kio areas in Santo António Parish. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM’s Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. With reference to the local seven parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The Photography Contest “Parade through Macau, Latin City”, organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) and co-organised by the Photographic Society of Macao, offers a mutual learning platform for photography aficionados. By holding the contest during the “Parade through Macau, Latin City”, the organisers hope to encourage the public to actively participate in local cultural events. All residents are welcome to participate and share scenes captured in the event. Under the theme “Parade through Macau, Latin City”, in celebration of the 17th anniversary of Macao’s handover to China, the Contest accepts works that feature scenes from the Parade, such as performances, artists and activities. The Contest features two categories, Youth (residents aged between 13 and 24) and Public (residents aged 25 or above). Participants may submit their works by email to psm_2015@yahoo.com.hk (an acknowledgment receipt will be issued from the co-organiser after the reception of the works); or they may burn a CD and submit it to the Photographic Society of Macao (36C, Rua do Almirante Costa Cabral, Edf. Veng Cheong, G/F), or to Foto Digital Fantastic (1-A, Rua das Estalagens, Edifício Adam’s Court, G/F ). Each participant is allowed to submit up to 10 works and the deadline of submission is 23 December. Each category includes prizes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places as well as for 10 merit awards. More information about the contest and the respective regulations are available at the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building, the Photographic Society of Macao, and at other designated locations or they can also be downloaded at the websites of “Parade through Macao, Latin City” (www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade) and of the Photographic Society of Macao (www.psm.org). For enquiries about the Photography Contest “Parade through Macau, Latin City”, please contact Mr. Ma from the Photographic Society of Macao through tel. no. 6682 0281 during office hours. In addition, in order to allow the public to review excellent excerpts of the Parade, the popular Hong Kong TVB programme ‘Scoop’ will feature a foretaste of the event on 15 December, and the same TV channel will broadcast a Parade Special Programme dedicated to the event’s highlights on 17 December. For more information on the Parade’s activities, please visit the event’s website www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade or page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/macaoparade.
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The Photography Contest “Parade through Macau, Latin City”, organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) and co-organised by the Photographic Society of Macao, offers a mutual learning platform for photography aficionados. By holding the contest during the “Parade through Macau, Latin City”, the organisers hope to encourage the public to actively participate in local cultural events. All residents are welcome to participate and share scenes captured in the event.
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The renovation project of No. 80, Rua das Estalagens has been concluded, and the Cultural Affairs Bureau will be ready to set up as an exhibition space. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sun Yat-sen, and the Cultural Affairs Bureau organized the “Commemorative Exhibitions of the 150th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s birth and the Conservation Process of the Building at No. 80, Rua das Estalagens”. The opening ceremony will be held on Thursday, 15 December, at 3:30pm, at No. 80, Rua das Estalagens. The public can appreciate the feats of such a great man as well as assess the results of the conservation works and of the archaeological discoveries in the exhibition. Macao is the starting point for Dr. Sun Yat-sen to the world, and it is the first place where he practiced as a doctor and the source of enlightenment for revolutionary ideology. Though the scenery of Rua das Estalagens has been changed over centuries, the building located at the Rua das Estalagens, where the Chong Sai Dispensary established by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, remains the same. It has been the ties and witness of the close relationship between Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Macao. Built before 1892, the building at No. 80, Rua das Estalagens is a typical commercial residential premise, that is a residential building with commercial spaces on the ground floor. Upon the MSAR Government’s successful purchase of the building in 2011 after several rentals and transfers, renovation works were carried out. The building will now open as an exhibition hall for the public and will be established as an exhibition venue applicable to specific themes in future. The “Commemorative Exhibitions of the 150th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s birth and the Preservation Process of the Building at No. 80, Rua das Estalagens” covers several exhibition areas including an archaeological artefacts and traces exhibition, an exhibition area dedicated to Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Macau, an exhibition area on the building’s renovation techniques and an exhibition area on the building’s distinctive features. This exhibition allows residents to have further understanding of the relationship between Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Macao as well as the characteristics and architectonical features of this traditional commercial residential premise. Admission to the building at No. 80, Rua das Estalagens is free from 15 December. The exhibition will be open from 3:30pm to 6pm on the day of the opening ceremony. The building opens from Wednesday to Monday from 10am to 6pm, including on public holidays (closed on Tuesdays). For enquiries, please contact the Cultural Affairs Bureau through tel. no. 8399 6699 during office hours.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council on 13 December collects prices of fresh pork from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference. The mentioned data collected during 7 December to 13 December are used for comparing the average selling price of the same products from Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The relevant data has been uploaded to the Council’s website for consumers’ reference. fThe specific price surveys on fresh pork and vegetables are now available on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), iPhone & Android ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ app, and the Council’s WeChat Account page. The relevant surveys include the average selling prices of local fresh pork and vegetables, and comparison on the respective the average selling prices rom Zhuhai, HK, and Macao. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The Government has announced today Decorations, Medals and Certificates of Merit awarded for 2016 by the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR). They go to 36 individuals and organisations in recognition of their achievements, outstanding contributions and distinguished services. It follows recommendations from the Committee of Nomination of Medals and Honorary Titles. The awards for Decorations of Honour include the Decoration of Honour – Grand Lotus; the Decoration of Honour – Golden Lotus; and the Decoration of Honour – Silver Lotus. Such awards are for individuals or entities that have made outstanding contributions to the image and reputation of the MSAR. The recipients for such awards are: Decoration of Honour – Golden Lotus Cheong U Lei Pui Lam Decoration of Honour – Silver Lotus Kou Hoi In Van Kuan Lok Seven types of Medals of Merit are awarded, covering the fields of: 1. Professions; 2. Industry and Commerce; 3. Tourism; 4. Education; 5. Culture; 6. Philanthropy; and 7. Sports. Each of the awards in these categories is for individuals or entities that have made major or excellent contributions in their respective fields. The recipients for such awards are: Medal of Merit – Professions The Identification Bureau Cândida da Silva Antunes Pires Medal of Merit – Industry and Commerce Ho Ioc Tong F. Rodrigues (Sucessores), Limitada. Medal of Merit – Tourism Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes Lou Chi Seng Moisés Francisco Xavier Medal of Merit – Education Leong Lai University of Macau School Choi Nong Chi Tai (Escola da Associação para Filhos e Irmãos dos Agricultores) Ip Hong Kit Medal of Merit – Culture Macau Artist Society Mio Pang Fei Medal of Merit – Philanthropy Welfare Club of the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macao (Associação de Bem-Estar dos Moradores de Macau) Association of Friends of Charity of Macau Macao Association of Parents of Mentally Handicapped (Associação dos Familiares Encarregados dos Deficientes Mentais de Macau) Medal of Merit – Sports Wushu General Association of Macau Mário Ferreira Sin Lau Vai Hong Medals for Distinguished Services are awarded to public entities, organisations or their staff for outstanding performance in their duties or community service. The recipients for such awards are: Medal for Distinguished Service – Medal for Bravery Vaccination team of the Health Bureau Macao Peninsula Traffic Commissariat of the Traffic Department of the Public Security Police Force Medal for Distinguished Service – Medal for Dedication Maria do Céu Dourado Amorim da Silva Hung Vicente João Monteiro Porfírio Zeferino de Souza Medal for Distinguished Service – Medal for Community Service Ieong Iu Chang Mong I Georgiana Lau do Rosário Lei Pou Loi Wong Man I Certificates of Merit, including the Honorific Title – Prestige and the Honorific Title – Merit, commend Macao SAR residents or others who have made major contribution to the reputation, development or social progress of the Macao SAR. The recipients for such awards are: Honorific Title – Prestige Lew Hwan Kyu Honorific Title – Merit The Team from the Workers’ Children High School’s that designed a device to measure frictional forces The Team from the Workers’ Children High School’s that designed a portable water purifier with eco-friendly features Lei Kuan Hou Lei Wai Shing The ceremony to award the Decorations, Medals and Certificates of Merit to the recipients will be held in early January.
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To celebrate the 17th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at our Philatelic Shop located at Macao Post Headquarters at 9:00 to 17:30 on 20th December 2016 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “17th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region”. A commemorative envelope priced at MOP3.00 will be issued. Welcome to visit us and collect Macao Stamps!
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To celebrate the Great Music and Dance Performance of “Di Zi Gui”, Macao Post announces that a Temporary Post Counter will be set up at the Grand Auditorium of Macau Cultural Centre at 19:00 to 22:00 on 17th December 2016 providing the commemorative postmark cancellation service for the “Great Music and Dance Performance of ‘Di Zi Gui’ ”. A commemorative envelope will be distributed to public, and various philatelic products will also be available for sale during the above activity. Welcome to visit and collect Macao Stamps.
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