More than a “Chinese Century”: the case of International Film Festival & Awards Macao

Date

2021-11-17

Advisors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

ISSN

1525-9951

Volume Title

Publisher

Cognizant Communication Corporation

Type

Article

Peer reviewed

Yes

Abstract

This paper contributes to debates around cultural event management in the Chinese century by investigating the case of the International Film Festival & Awards Macao (IFFAM). It first problematises the Chinese century concept by contrasting studies on film-related soft power in China as cultural diplomacy with the Macao Special Administrative Government’s use of festivals and events as place marketing strategies. It argues Macao does not fit comfortably into the soft power paradigm normally associated with China and uses the festival to illuminate areas of difference. Within this problematised context, the case study of IFFAM is built on existing studies of eventalisation as urban cultural policies. The analysis section demonstrates IFFAM differs from state-led film activities in mainland China. Findings presented and evaluated include official announcements about IFFAM by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), where the festival’s objective to ‘improve Macao’s international reputation’ are contrasted with the paradigms underpinning mainland China’s going-out international trade policy. Further findings relate to the festival’s programming strategies, and domestic and international reception of IFFAM in the past years, answering the question of whether Macao and IFFAM act as intermediaries, influencing cultural policy and film festival production practices in other regions of China and recentring film festivals’ focus from Europe to Asia. It emphasises the importance of IFFAM ‘s development in Macao because of its unique status and potential as an alternative, intermediary lens for observing the Chinese century.

Description

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version.

Keywords

cultural policy, cultural intermediaries, film festival, cultural diplomacy, Chinese century, soft power

Citation

Jordan, J. and Chan, H-M. (2021) More than a “Chinese Century”: the case of International Film Festival & Awards Macao. Event Management, 26 (4), pp. 899-913

Rights

Research Institute