Directors Masterclass with Anthony Chen

Saturday 13 July | 14:00 – 16:30 | The Galmont Hotel

Anthony Chen will deliver this year’s Director Masterclass, proudly presented in collaboration with the East Asia Film Festival Ireland (EAFFI) supported by Screen Ireland.

Anthony Chen is an award-winning writer, director, and producer from Singapore who has garnered international acclaim and made an indelible mark on the world of cinema with his poignant storytelling. His debut feature, ILO ILO, won the prestigious Caméra d’Or at the Cannes International Film Festival 2013, making him the first and only Singaporean director to receive this honour. The film also secured 40 international awards, including four Golden Horse Awards. Chen’s other notable works include WET SEASON which premiered at TIFF in 2022.

Chen’s latest film, THE BREAKING ICE, his first Chinese-language film made in China, premiered at Cannes International Film Festival in 2023, and will have its Irish Premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh on Friday, July 12 at 8:00pm in Pálás Cinema. Set in cold wintry Yanji, a town on China’s northeastern border, THE BREAKING ICE follows the blossoming relationship between three young adults in their twenties. It is a lyrical, delicate poem about alienation and the nostalgia of youth.

DRIFT, his English-language debut, premiered at Sundance 2023 and will be screened on Sunday, July 14 at 2:30pm in Pálás Cinema. The film stars Oscar-nominated Cynthia Erivo as Jacqueline, a young refugee who lands alone and penniless on a Greek island. Struggling to survive and cope with her past, she begins a friendship with a rootless tour guide, and together they find the resilience to forge ahead. The screenings of THE BREAKING ICE and DRIFT will be followed by a post-show discussion with Anthony Chen.

The Directors Masterclass will be facilitated by award-winning producer and Ace Producers consultant, Simon Perry, and will take place on July 13 at 14:00 – 16:30 at The Galmont Hotel.