Mumbai: The Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSAs) are held in collaboration with UNESCO, FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Associations and CNN International. The awards acclaim the cinematic excellence of Asia-Pacific films that best reflect their cultural origins. The Academy of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards is the next step in encouraging dialogue, collaboration and business opportunities for the region’s filmmakers.

One of the significant aims of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards is to promote the films and filmmakers of the Asia-Pacific region to a global market and to develop new markets for their work, said APSA chairman Des Power.

All 65 nominees of the inaugural 2007 APSAs will now be inducted into The Academy, with a similar number from 2008 to be inducted later this year, establishing a world-class body of Asia-Pacific filmmakers. In time to come, Academy members will have a voting influence on the Awards.

More than 110 films from 29 countries in the region were submitted in 2007 APSAs.

"The APSAs bring the best filmmakers from the region together. The Academy will encourage these relationships to continue and it is my hope that co-productions and other initiatives between the 72 countries and areas that form the APSA network will result. Jack Thompson’s international standing in the film community lends tremendous weight to The Academy and we are honored to have him as Patron", Power said.