Australia’s Gold Coast: The Asia Pacific Screen Academy today announced a new strategic partnership with Jewel Private Residences, and welcomed Major Partners Top 51 World Filmmakers Club and luxury beachfront hotel The Langham, Gold Coast to host the 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA), the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Forum and related Academy initiatives this November.
Jewel Private Residences, located in the architecturally iconic oceanside towers, will host the prestigious international film event, which honours the cinematic excellence of 78 countries and areas of the Asia Pacific and films that best reflect their cultural origins and the diversity of the vast region.
The 17th Gala Ceremony for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, with black tie and visually stunning traditional dress, will be held the evening of Saturday 30 November in the elegant Diamond Ballroom of The Langham, Gold Coast, on the traditional land of the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh language region. The Gala Ceremony will take place after the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Forum, to be held from 27 to 30 November.
Jewel Private Residences, developed by AW Jewel, is a stunning development, featuring three iconic towers inspired by natural gemstones, and combines world-class architecture with exclusive access to five-star amenities, located in Australia’s most sought-after lifestyle and screen production destination, the Gold Coast.
APSA is thrilled to welcome the Top 51 World Filmmakers Club as a Major Partner. The new global brand, Top 51 Club, will provide an exclusive environment to connect creativity, film, culture, sports, and dining, aiming to offer a unique range of services for creative people worldwide, from artistic creation to entertainment experiences.
Occupying the 51st level of The Langham, Gold Coast, the Top 51 Club will launch in 2025, with the Top 51 World Filmmakers Club, Top Water Club and exclusive Sky Bar set to become the Gold Coast’s premier place to connect.
The Top 51 World Filmmakers Club is designed for directors, producers, screenwriters, and film enthusiasts. It transcends borders to facilitate networking and collaboration. More than just a meeting place for filmmakers, the club will be a dynamic hub for creativity, encouraging innovative collaborations and cultural exchange among global filmmakers.
Completing the suite of new Major Partners delivering the 2024 APSA events is Queensland’s own globally acclaimed post-production company, The Post Lounge.
APSA welcomes the new partners to the prestigious international event as they join longstanding Major Partners, Australia’s leading lifestyle, opportunity and filmmaking destination the City of Gold Coast, the state’s premier screen production and culture agency Screen Queensland, and Motion Picture Association (MPA) Asia Pacific – the leading global advocacy organisation protecting and promoting the voices of Asia Pacific screenmakers.
Jury members, nominees and other guests travelling to the Gold Coast for the 17th APSA will have access to a Filmmakers Lounge at The Langham, Gold Coast where the 4-day Asia Pacific Screen Forum will also be held.
The theme for APSA this year centres around Land, which serves as a powerful lens through which to explore the relationship between communities, cultures and the environment. It is a topic deeply intertwined with identity, sovereignty, and the stories told through film.
Chair of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards Tracey Vieira said “The ongoing highlight of APSA has always been the moment of coming together to share culture, creativity and cinema. Our new partnerships with Jewel Private Residences, The Langham, Gold Coast, The Top 51 World Filmmakers Club and The Post Lounge and our ongoing support of the City of Gold Coast, Screen Queensland and MPA Asia Pacific offer the perfect meeting place to let the stars of the region’s filmmaking shine.”
Jewel Private Residences General Manager Yutao Li said “Our iconic beachfront development Jewel Private Residences represents the very best of Gold Coast living, combining luxury, iconic design, and breathtaking views. We are excited to welcome the global film community to experience this unique destination and to be part of an event that celebrates creativity and cultural diversity across the Asia Pacific region.”
The Langham, Gold Coast General Manager Arpad Romandy said “We look forward to warmly welcoming filmmakers and film industry veterans to the Gold Coast to celebrate the winners of the Asia Pacific’s highest accolade in film.”
President of Top 51 Filmmakers Club and APSA Academy member Cliff Curtis said “There is a natural alignment in the philosophy of the APSAs and the Top 51 World Filmmakers Club. Each organisation aims to create opportunities for creatives to network, collaborate and share a love of storytelling. For me, it is significant that the work I have done as a producer, in my community as an Indigenous storyteller has always found a welcome place at APSA. As we launch Top 51 World Filmmakers Club I look forward to a new chapter in connecting and celebrating storytellers.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said “What a time for our city – hosting the 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards and Forum. We are fully committed to the growth of the screen industry, which injects $500 million into our economy annually.
Since 2020, more than one third of international productions made in Australia were filmed on the Gold Coast and we are well advanced with plans for a new film production precinct in the north of the coast. The red carpet is out to welcome local and international filmmakers for these prestigious awards. Together, let’s make magic.”
CEO of Screen Queensland Jacqui Feeney said “Screen Queensland is proud to support the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and Forum through our Screen Culture Fund and to recognise excellence in filmmaking from across our Asia Pacific region. APSA continues to provide a significant platform for connection and collaboration to strengthen, grow and diversify the screen industry, as well as creating opportunities for our local filmmakers. We look forward to welcoming all APSA guests to Queensland this November.”
Belinda Lui, President and Managing Director Asia Pacific, Motion Picture Association, said “Now in its 15th year, the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund has supported the development of 56 films from 27 countries and areas of Asia Pacific. This consequential and longstanding partnership between the MPA and APSA has championed the unique voices and compelling stories of Asia Pacific and aided in taking them to a global audience. We look forward to announcing the next four recipients at the upcoming APSA Ceremony.”