BANGKOK ~ Organisers of the 2010 Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Apsas) are expecting about 200 films from more than 40 countries to have been submitted for this year’s competition by the time entries close on August 23.

A total of 44 Official Submitting Organisations have been confirmed by Apsa and the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) to submit films to represent their country or area.

In addition, films are invited to compete by members of the Apsa Nominations Council and the Apsa chairman. The Apsas are the highest accolade for film in the Asia-Pacific region, engaging with 70 countries and areas.

Apsa chairman Des Power said: “From emerging filmmakers to acclaimed masters, what has inspired this initiative at all times is the outstanding diversity and talent that resides in the Asia-Pacific region. The quality and range of entries we have received to date is evidence of what is clearly shaping up to be another extraordinary year for Asia-Pacific films.”

“It is extremely rewarding to see the competition go from strength-to-strength each year and my thanks goes out to the hundreds of filmmakers, distributors, sales agents, and film organisations around the world who have embraced the concept of Apsa.”

Members of the Nominations Council Chaired by Professor Hong-Joon Kim (Republic of Korea) will gather in Brisbane, Australia in late September to deliberate on films and reach up to five nominees in nine of twelve award categories. Preparatory work will be performed by the Advisory Committee to the Nominations Council chaired by Adrienne Mc Kibbins.

Winners will be determined by an International Jury, headed by Academy Award winning British producer Lord David Puttnam (Chariots of Fire, The Killing Fields, The Mission), who will assemble on Australia’s Gold Coast ahead of the Apsa Ceremony on December 2.

The full Jury line-up will be announced in coming months and the 2010 nominees will be unveiled in early October.

KEY DATES:

August 23 - Apsa entries close

September 21 - October 2 - Nominations Council deliberations

Early October - Nominees announcement

November 22 - International jury arrive on Australia's Gold Coast to commence

screenings & deliberations

December 2 - Fourth annual Apsa ceremony