ASIA-PACIFIC FILM INDUSTRY EYEING APSA GLORY.

Since its inaugural staging in 2007, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) have taken on immense relevance to the region’s production sectors.

In the 5 years since it launched, over 180 films have been nominated for one of international cinema's more unique trophies (the vision of Queensland glass-artist Joanna Bone). All entrants come from the 70 countries that are deemed to be within the geographical parameters as stated by the governing body, The Asia Pacific Screen Academy (“from Egypt in the west to the Cook Islands in the east, from Russia in the north to New Zealand in the south.”)

The nominees list is judged by a six person jury, this year overseen by Australian producer Jan Chapman and featuring representatives from Georgia, India, The People’s Republic of China, Israel and Turkey. In addition to awards being bestowed upon the winners of nine distinct categories, the FIAPF-International Federation of Film Producers Association Lifetime honour will be given to Japanese composer, Ryuichi Sakamoto (past recipients include directors Dr George Miller, Yash Chopra and Zhang Yimou; actress/producer Christine Hakim; and, executive Isao Matsuoka). APSA Academy president, Australian acting great Jack Thompson, will will welcome guests to the Awards Ceremony, the highpoint of a week of celebration of international cinema, this Friday, November 23 at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane.

SCREEN-SPACE allows you to test your knowledge of international cinema with the list of Best Picture nominees. Can you pick the winner....?

Bumchoiwaui Junjaeng (Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time), Republic of Korea
Produced by Park Shin-kyu and Han Jae-duk, directed by Yoon Jong-bin.
“A rags-to-rogues crimer whose finely chiseled portraits of greed, self-preservation and depravity are buttressed by powerhouse perfs.” – Maggie Lee, Variety.

Khers (Bear), Islamic Republic of Iran (pictured, below)
Produced by Javad Norouzbeigi, directed by Khosro Masoumi.
Awarded Best Feature Film at 2012 Shanghai Film Festival.

Orda (The Horde), Russian Federation
Produced by Natalya Gostyushina and Sergei Kravets, directed by Andrei Proshkin.
Awarded Silver George honours for Best Director (Andrei Proshkin) and Best Actress (Roza Hairullina) at the 34th Moscow International Film Festival.

Tepenin Ardi (Beyond the Hill), Turkey/Greece.
Produced by Enis Köstepen, Seyfi Teoman and Emin Alper, directed by Emin Alper.
"Thinking back and thinking over is one of the joys of this little gem of a film, which conceals rewarding depths beneath its placid surface." - Lee Marshal, Screen Daily.

Wu Xia (aka, Dragon), Hong Kong (PRC)/People's Republic of China.
Produced by Peter Ho-sun Chan, Jojo Hui Yuet-chun, directed by Peter Ho-sun Chan.
"Masterfully executed, action-packed and with the winning pairing of Donnie Yen and Takeshi Kaneshiro, Peter Chan Ho-sun’s Wu Xia promises exhilarating entertainment as a summer blockbuster." - Ho Yi, Taipei Times.