Routledge Independent Filmmaking in South East Asia: Conversations with Filmmakers on Building and Sustaining a Creative Career

Featuring interviews with 27 award-winning and emerging filmmakers, this book is the first comprehensive look at independent filmmaking careers in South East Asia with never-before published insights into the lives and careers of some of the most influential filmmakers in one of the world’s most exciting screen production regions.Celebrating filmmaking in South East Asia, the interviews offer unique perspectives that highlight the various paths filmmakers have taken to establish and develop their independent filmmaking careers. Presenting filmmakers whose films span narrative, documentary and experimental genres, and from all ten South East Asian nations, the filmmakers in this collection include: Camera d’Or winner Anthony Chen Sundance Grand Jury Prize nominee Mouly Surya NETPAC Award Winner Sheron Dayoc Brunei’s first female director, Siti Kamaluddin Directors of the Wathann Festival, Thaiddhi and Thu Thu Shein Lao’s only female and first horror film director, Mattie Do Aimed at aspiring filmmakers with a focus on career building outside of global production hubs, Meißner has curated a collection of interviews that reflects the diversity and ambition of filmmaking in South East Asia. The book is accompanied by a companion website (www.southeastasianfilmcareers.com) that includes 27 micro-documentaries on the included filmmakers. Review 'Independent Filmmaking in South East Asia is a timely exploration of independent filmmaking away from hegemonic centres of production. These authentic voices from the diverse cultures of South East Asia, expertly captured by Dr Nico Meissner, reveal exciting new entrepreneurial and filmmaking practices that give us hope for the plurality and wellbeing of World Cinema.'Erik Knudsen is a filmmaker and academic. He is Professor of Media Practice and Faculty Director of Research in the Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries at the University of Central Lancashire, UK. 'An inspiring book with pragmatic advice for filmmakers and rare insights for film programmers, policymakers and movie goers. Highly recommended for cinema students and faculty. Wherever you live, Nico Meissner’s interviews with 27 South East Asian filmmakers will convince you that while talent is important, patience and perseverance are the keys to success. ' Jeannette Paulson Hereniko, Founding Director, Hawaii International Film Festival (1981 to 1996) 'Independent Filmmaking in South East Asia is a timely exploration of independent filmmaking away from hegemonic centres of production. These authentic voices from the diverse cultures of South East Asia, expertly captured by Dr Nico Meissner, reveal exciting new entrepreneurial and filmmaking practices that give us hope for the plurality and wellbeing of World Cinema.' Erik Knudsen is a filmmaker and academic. He is Professor of Media Practice and Faculty Director of Research in the Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries at the University of Central Lancashire, UK. 'An inspiring book with pragmatic advice for filmmakers and rare insights for film programmers, policymakers and movie goers. Highly recommended for cinema students and faculty. Wherever you live, Nico Meissner’s interviews with 27 South East Asian filmmakers will convince you that while talent is important, patience and perseverance are the keys to success. ' Jeannette Paulson Hereniko, Founding Director, Hawaii International Film Festival (1981 to 1996) About the Author Nico Meißner is Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director (Learning and Teaching) at Griffith Film School in Australia. He is researching and writing on entrepreneurship in the creative industries and the intricate relations between storytelling and innovation. He was the inaugural Dean of the Faculty of Cinematic Arts in Malaysia and has taught filmmaking, storytelling and entrepreneurship in the UK, Finland, Portugal, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Colombia and Australia.