Busan International Film Festival and Asian Contents & Film Market Taps New Directors
25th Busan International Film Festival Call for Submissions
The 2020 #COMPUTEXOnlineTalks Keeps the Tech Industry Connected
Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Film Market Changes Name, and Asia Contents Awards Call for Submissions
Asian Project Market 2020 Call for Applications
COMPUTEX 2020 Rescheduled to September
Groups for the FIFA eClub World Cup 2020 confirmed
FIFA eClub World Cup 2020 to take place in Milan
Discover Artists from Around the World at the 15th Asia Contemporary Art Show
Asian Film Market 2019 Announces 30 Official Selections for Book To Film and E-IP Pitching
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FIFA eWorld Cup 2019 to return to London on 2 - 4 August
FIFA has announced today that the FIFA eWorld Cup™ will return to London later this year, confirming that this season’s pinnacle event will once again take place at The O2 from 2 to 4 August 2019. Having already played host to last year’s final, which saw Mosaad Aldossary crowned world champion, 32 of the world’s best EA SPORTS FIFA 19 players will compete once more at The O2. They will battle it out to become the FIFA eWorld Cup champion and to win a life-changing USD 250,000 in prize money, along with a trip to The Best FIFA Football Awards™. As a further indication of the growing interest in competitive FIFA, the total prize money for the FIFA eWorld Cup has also been increased compared to last year’s final, and a total of USD 500,000 will be distributed among the 32 competitors. Building on the profile of competitive FIFA this season, the culmination of this year’s EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series will offer fans an exciting three-day broadcast. Fans will also have the opportunity to experience the excitement and intensity of the broadcasted event at one of the world’s most iconic music and entertainment venues on August 04. On-site guests will be able to meet well-known faces from the EA SPORTS FIFA scene such as Spencer Owen, Mike LaBelle and others, as well as watch the decisive matches of the FIFA eWorld Cup 2019 live in person. Regular tickets will provide access for 4 August, including the two semi-finals as well as the final, while premium tickets will additionally offer exclusive access to the after-show party on 4 August and preferred seating. FIFA is proud to work with its worldwide partner Visa and to offer a discounted Visa pre-sale with reduced ticket prices, starting at £10 for regular tickets and £25 for the premium tickets. Tickets are on sale now on fifa.com/fewc. "After the incredible success of the tournament last year at The O2 in London, we are excited to once again host the FIFA eWorld Cup at such an iconic venue and to create a one-of-a-kind EA SPORTS FIFA event for the community,” said Christian Volk, Director of eFootball & Gaming at FIFA. “With the increased prize money and a world title on the line, the tension will be higher than ever before and will create an incredible atmosphere. This season, we have seen a great appetite for content consumption of the EA SPORTS FIFA 19 Global Series and we are excited to give more fans the chance to witness the greatest competitive FIFA event to date either on-site or at home, as we crown the ultimate champion at The O2 after an exciting season.” The top 32 players in the FIFA 19 Global Series Rankings will be determined after the FIFA 19 Global Series Playoffs, taking place from 5 - 7 July in Hamburg (Xbox) and from 12 - 14 July in Berlin (PlayStation).
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The First exhibition! Latvian architecture unveiled in Seoul
On 18 February, the Soorim Arts Center in Seoul hosted a festive opening ceremony for an exhibition devoted to Latvian architecture, Latvia. Architecture at Convergence. This is the first exhibition on Latvian architecture in the Republic of Korea; it has been organised to mark Latvia’s Centenary and introduce viewers to outstanding achievements of the country in architecture, thereby raising the profile of Latvia in the respective sector in Korea. The exhibition will be on display until 24 March. Ten modules of the exhibition with 40 large scale photographs and annotations reflect the diversity of Latvia’s architecture rich in wooden built heritage, mediaeval buildings included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, Art Nouveau masterpieces – all of which have left their permanent imprint on the development of European culture. The photographs have been complemented with panels featuring a graphic presentation of all those historical, political and economic influences that have shaped the architecture and cultural environment in Latvia. In addition, the exhibition offers three short films about Latvian architecture, and books about Latvia have also been put on view. Alongside information materials on Latvia’s Centenary, the audience can also explore “The Time Line” – a parallel graphical presentation of milestone events in the history of Latvia and Korea – to gain a better insight into Latvia’s past. The exhibition titled Latvia. Architecture at Convergence is part of the public diplomacy programme to mark Latvia’s Centenary, coordinated by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The unveiling of the exhibition brought together reporters from the leading Korean media, architecture experts, students and others interested.
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Naomie Harris opens 007 ELEMENTS in Austria
007 ELEMENTS, an exciting new James Bond experience situated within the summit of the Gaislachkogl mountaintop in Sölden, Austria is now open to the public. The cinematic installation was officially opened by actress Naomie Harris who plays Moneypenny (Spectre, Skyfall) and Jakob Falkner Managing Director of Bergbahnen Sölden. After visiting 007 ELEMENTS for the first time, Harris commented: “It’s fantastic to be here today at the launch of the brand new exhibition in this amazing location at the top of the Gaislachkogl mountain in Sölden”. Jakob Falkner said: “It was wonderful to have Naomie here with us to mark this special day. I’d like to thank EON Productions and MGM for their guidance and support. Special thanks go to architect Johann Obermoser and his team for designing and building the perfect mountaintop home, to Neal Callow, Tino Schaedler and the team at Optimist Inc. for bringing the idea to life by creating this unique Bond experience and our partners Jaguar Land Rover, OMEGA and Bogner. “007 ELEMENTS complements the wide range of activities we have to offer and firmly puts Sölden and the wider Tyrol region on the map as a year-round destination for sports and entertainment in the Alps.” At over 3,000m above sea level, 007 ELEMENTS is the highest experience of its kind taking visitors on a journey through a series of nine galleries and an outside plaza with stunning views of the Alps. The dramatic spaces complete with an immersive soundscape showcase the fundamental elements that define the James Bond films placing visitors inside the world of 007 and revealing how that world is made. Construction of the 1,300sqm permanent structure started in May 2017 and was completed just over one year later. Visitors to 007 ELEMENTS will see the original Land Rover Defender and Range Rover Sport SVR from Spectre and learn how the thrilling action sequences were filmed in Sölden. Also featured are four James Bond OMEGA watches including the Seamaster 300 from Spectre, the laser watch from GoldenEye, the Seamaster Quartz from Tomorrow Never Dies, and the Piton from The World Is Not Enough. In addition to the stylish uniforms designed by Bogner for the 007 ELEMENTS team, several iconic Bogner ski suits worn by Bond are on display. EON Productions’ Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli commented: “We are truly proud to be in partnership with Jakob Falkner and launching our latest experience, 007 ELEMENTS on the very mountaintop in Sölden where we filmed Spectre. Architect Johann Obermoser, our Art Director Neal Callow and Tino Schaedler have created a Bondian lair worthy of a Ken Adam set in which visitors immediately become enveloped in the cinematic world of 007.” 007 ELEMENTS is accessed via the Gaislachkoglbahn Gondola in the resort village of Sölden. Open daily from 09:00 to 15:30, tickets are available online or from the Bergbahnen Sölden ticket offices and cost €22 for adults, €12 for children. For further information or to book tickets, please visit: 007elements.com
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The Asia Contemporary Art Show Returns for Its 13th Edition This Fall
Now in its 13th edition, the Show will take place September 28th – October 1st at the Conrad Hong Kong, and will welcome more than 80 galleries from Asia and the world, including up-and-coming and mid-career artists. The show kicks off on Friday, September 28th with the exclusive UnionPay Private View and the UnionPay VIP Collectors Preview. General admission opens on Saturday, September 29th and continues until Monday, October 1st. “Art is certainly happening right now in Hong Kong. This past Spring we saw record attendance and turnover at art fairs, and record breaking auction results.” remarked Show Director Mark Saunderson, “The recent opening of the Tai Kwun, the restored Central Police Station compound, provides Hong Kong with a series of new art and performance venues allowing people to enjoy and explore art in heritage and contemporary environments right in the middle of Central.” Saunderson continues, “At the Asia Contemporary Art Show, it’s our mission to curate and introduce a wide range of art and artists, both emerging and mid-career to our visitors, many never before seen at our Show. The upcoming Show is no exception. Katherine Filice for example is an exciting emerging surrealist whose detailed drawings question the tension in human relationships and social systems. Seong Taejin, is an established artist whose highly textured and brightly painted wood carvings are popular among collectors. And we are very excited to present one of the pioneers of performance and experimental art in Myanmar, Aung Myint. His acrylic paintings of mother and child painted with a single unbroken black line are instantly recognisable.”
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'Young Korean Traditional Music City - Rock' by Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater of Namsangol Hanok Village: Day 1 Event
From April 5 to April 26, Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater of Namsangol Hanok Village (General Director Yoon Sung-jin) will be holding 'Young Korean Traditional Music City - Rock' for the daytime visitors at Cheonugak Pavilion in Namsangol Hanok Village Traditional Garden. Welcoming blossoming spring, this performance will present folksongs, Sanjo, and traditional dance by four artists, including Gyeonggi folksong artist Lee Hee-moon, Haegeum player Kang Eun-il, Iron hyun geum player Yu Kyung-hwa, and Hanbok designer and dancer Lee Seo-yun, at Namsangol Hanok Village Traditional Garden in urban center, and it will be free of charge through advance reservations. ▲ Iron Hyun Geum Player, Yu Kyung-hwa The first protagonist of the <Young Korean Traditional Music City - Rock>, which was held from 12:20 pm on April 5, was Yu Kyung-hwa, a unique Iron hyun geum player. As an artist who has secured her own original domain through various musical attempts including Korean traditional music as well as world music and free music, Yu Kyung-hwa performed Sanjo by the late Kim Yeong-chul and her own song, 'The Bird of Oblivion', with electric Iron hyun geum. The first performance, 'Iron hyun geum Sanjo (20 min)', composed by the late human cultural asset Kim Yeong-chul, who designed Iron hyun geum, was played in the order of Dasreum-Jinyang-Jungmori-Jungjungmori-Jajinmori-Hwimori. Among them, Dasreum and Hwimori were redesigned by the player with her own movements. The next performance, 'Bird of Oblivion (10 min)', was premiered at the 2004 Yu Kyung-hwa's Iron hyun geum solo concert and it has been later arranged in various versions. 'Bird of Oblivion' means an artist, such as a monk who continuously denies and erases himself and moves toward newness. This song features the use of effectors through electric Iron hyun geum. Iron hyun geum (Iron String on Korean Harp) is a hybrid instrument designed by the late Kim Yeong-chul through absorbing the advantages of Geomungo and guitar by the late 1940s. It is made up of eight iron strings and played with the right hand holding a Sul-dae and the left hand holding a Nong-ok. There are two types of Iron hyun geum; an acoustic type with a soundbox, and an electric type with effectors. ▲ Even in the rain, Korean traditional music lovers and foreign tourists listened carefully to the performance. 'Young Korean Traditional Music City - Rock' in April will be held on the 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th, every Thursday from 12:20 to 12:50 for 30 minutes. This free-of-charge concert will be limited to 100 people per performance for the purpose of creating a healthy viewing environment. Those who wish to watch performance are requested to make a reservation through the Namsangol Hanok Village website until the morning before the performance. On the day of the performance, the entrance is possible on a first-come-first-served basis only when cancellation occurs. The schedule for <Young Korean Traditional Music City - Rock> in May will be announced in the middle of April on the website. Meanwhile, <Young Korean Traditional Music City - Rock> is a special performance designed as a connected program of <Young Traditional Music Audition 'Impresario'>, which is a newly started young Korean traditional music promotion project of Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater. This 4-week performance will be held from April 5th. It will be designed as a stage where the traditional Korean artists, who are the mentors of participants of 'Impresario' audition, share the smartness and excitement with citizens in the everyday life of the city with the concept of 'Joyful Korean Traditional Music City'. Following the performance in April, in May, new performing groups selected at the 'Impresario' audition will be presenting another 'Young Korean Traditional Music City - Rock' with the same concept.
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Speicla features include focus on Chinese contemporary art and the return of Artist Dialogues
Returning to Hong Kong Art Week this spring is the Asia Contemporary Art Show. Now in its 12th edition, the Show opens on March 23rd and continues until the 26th at the Conrad Hong Kong. As the longest-running and most successful hotel art fair in Asia, the Show will welcome over 80 galleries from Asia and the world, and will include artworks from a host of countries including Lithuania, Lebanon, South Korea, Russia, Peru, China, Mexico and many others. Beginning on Friday, March 23rd, arts patrons and select guests will be welcomed at the exclusive UnionPay Private View, followed by the invitation-only UnionPay VIP Collectors Preview. General admission opens on Saturday, March 24th with fun HK Liquor Store Art Night, and continues until Monday, March 26th. “As the first art fair to kick-off Hong Kong Art Week in the ‘art triangle’ that includes Art Basel and Art Central, expectations are high.” remarked Show Director Mark Saunderson, “With contemporary art gaining in popularity among collectors and younger buyers, there is no better place to discover exciting new artists and unique artworks than at art fairs.” Saunderson continues, “At the Asia Contemporary Art Show, we strive to reflect current trends in the contemporary art market, by presenting a diverse selection of artists from across the world, as well as artists whose works sometimes challenge the status quo. Take for example artists like Zoe Liu who through her art questions the effectiveness of Hong Kong’s parenting and educational traditions by ‘force-feeding’, Korean artist Chung Hae-Cho who pioneered a new way of making lacquer objects, or Allan Banford an abstract artist who gives observers a unique and original visual experience.”
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The Dream Merchants come to Kuhmo
In the last two weeks of July, Kuhmo will be a place of dreams, because the theme of the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival this year is ’The Dream Merchants’. There will be even more in store this time, as the Festival will actually begin on Saturday 14 July, and for two whole weeks there will be almost a hundred different events. The final concerts will take place on Saturday 28 July. As well as the more traditional major chamber works, such as the famous Trout Quintet, there will be surprises, novelties and exotic experiences. Among the big works on offer are Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto and Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony, both being performed with Historically informed (HIP) line-ups. There will also be a chamber version of the popular opera Carmen. ”Everything has been done with this opera except paring it down; in this version we get to the music’s core,” says Artistic Director Vladimir Mendelssohn about Peter Brook’s legendary version. The dream continues with more than one hundred top musicians from home and abroad, such as pianist Nino Gvetadze, winner of the Sibelius Violin Competition 2010 Nikita Boriso-Glebsky, cellist and conductor Klaus Mäkelä, clarinettists Lauri Sallinen and Christoffer Sundqvist, the bandoneon artist Marcelo Nisinman and the singer Romina Basso. Ensembles include the Meta4, Borea, Danel and Enesco string quartets and the Storioni Trio. As usual, the concerts will be given in the Kuhmo Arts Centre, Kuhmo Church, Lentiira Church, and Kontio School. For the first time this summer the new hall in Tuupala Primary School will also be available for concerts. The Magic Shop and unknown landscapes The very first day of the Festival will be like a storehouse of dreams. First there is a programme of German Baroque music in the atmospheric Lentiira Church, and afterwards a performance of the children’s opera Cinderella. Grieg’s Peer Gynt can be heard at the Kuhmo Arts Centre, and, to round off the evening, there is music on the theme of forests at the Petola Visitor Centre. On the same day Vladimir Mendelssohn will present the Festival programme with Romina Basso. The popular and free ‘Heart of the Day’ events will continue daily. The theme for the second day is Magritte’s Mirrors. The music includes Debussy’s Reflets dans l'eau and Vivaldi’s – and Glass’s – Four Seasons. The music on Monday is connected with different religions. The Song of Songs concert features music from the Italian Renaissance and Baroque periods. The name of the day on Tuesday 17 July is ‘Magic Shop’. We encounter Gulliver, experience swirls and fantasies, catch birds just like Papageno, and hear sirens. Several much maligned composers are to be heard on Wednesday: they include Brahms, Wagner, Chopin, Strauss and Beethoven. Thursday is the Discovery Channel: we will be travelling all day long and we’ll end up in Tierra del Fuego. On Friday we discover that fake news is nothing new: the music of unknown composers has been attributed to the likes of Haydn and Beethoven. The theme on Saturday is Avatar, with self-portraits and the dreams of St. Anthony, one of which is the all-time classic Trout Quintet. Listeners on Sunday 22 July can enjoy some monumental chamber works, such as Bach’s Musical Offering, Schubert’s Octet and Brahms’s Clarinet Quintet. On Monday we recall unknown landscapes, and on the programme are visions and fairyland. On Tuesday we turn our attention to masters and servants, and stories of Bach and Mozart. On Wednesday we explore the fleeting nature of time. As Vladimir Mendelssohn says:”It appears that time has only one thing on its mind: to escape both the past and the present.” July 26 is opera day, with opera variants and a complete chamber arrangement of Carmen. Friday starts with Bach, continues with Handel and Mozart, and ends with Brahms and Beethoven - and some of their variations. The last day is dedicated to dance, and again we have the chance to see Ksenia Parkhatskaya, the dancer who won the hearts of the audience last summer. There will be waltzes, Hungarian dances and, to finish, the Nutcracker Suite, this time arranged for big band by Duke Ellington. Apart from in Kuhmo, chamber music can also be heard in Iisalmi, with music by Piazzolla and Nisinman on 17 July, and in Vuokatti, where there will be two concerts. In addition to the 75 listed concerts there will be performances by students and a chance to meet the artists at 15 free events. Kuhmo Chamber Music is Finland’s biggest chamber music festival and is the ninth largest event in the Finland Festivals series in terms of ticket sales. This will be the 49th time the Festival has been held. A budget of more than a million euros Kuhmo Chamber Music and music courses have a budget of 1.1 million euros. The festival’s principle partner is the OP Financial Group. The other partners are Canorama Oy, the magazine Eeva-lehti, Ilmarinen, F-Musiikki Oy, the newspaper Kainuun Sanomat, the technology company Kaisanet Oy, Kuhmo Oy, Loiste Oy, Metsähallitus, No-Pan Auto Oy and the cooperative society Osuuskauppa Maakunta. The Kuhmo Festival and courses receive financial assistance from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the City of Kuhmo. The other sponsors in 2018 are the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation and the Finnish Cultural Foundation.
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