International Short Film Festival strengthens ties with Venice Days, aiming to bolster its global presence, as announced by Macao.
The Macao International Shorts Film Festival (MISFF) is set to return for its second edition from September 14-21, 2025, marking a significant step in Macao's mission to establish itself as a key player in the international film industry.
Last year, the festival made its debut, organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (Instituto Cultural, IC) in partnership with Galaxy Entertainment Group. The inaugural edition, held from March 23-30, showcased a variety of screenings, lectures, workshops, and awards, including categories like "Best Short Film" and "Best Director."
Following this successful launch, the festival has gained international recognition. This year's edition will see a collaboration with the Venice Film Festival’s independent section, Giornate Degli Autori (Venice Days). This partnership aims to boost Macao’s profile as a film-friendly destination, with activities such as masterclasses, industry forums, and networking events.
Venice Days will also host a "Macao Day" on August 30, featuring screenings of Macao-made shorts, an industry session, and a networking reception. This event aims to provide a comprehensive platform to promote Macao's cinematic creativity and cultural identity to international industry professionals and audiences.
The MISFF's multi-segment programming includes categories such as “Macao Shorts,” “New Voices from Horizon,” “Director In Focus,” and “Special Screenings,” highlighting its focus on both local talent and international filmmakers. Through these efforts, MISFF is poised to serve as a key platform to diversify Macao's cultural and tourism appeal beyond its traditional gambling industry.
Since its handover in 1999, Macao has been known as the world's gambling capital. However, under increasing pressure from Beijing to diversify, the Macao Government has been actively seeking opportunities to develop other sectors, including the film industry.
The MISFF is not the first film event based in Macao. Previously, the International Film Festival & Awards Macao (IFFAM) was launched in 2016 but was temporarily halted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Asia-Europe Young Cinema Festival and Film Market is another recent film event based in Macao.
The Macao Government and Galaxy Entertainment Group have partnered with Giornate, an independent body of the Venice Film Festival, to further solidify Macao's role as a hub for international film and cultural exchange.
The MISFF will showcase a selection of short films from around the world, offering a unique opportunity for local and international filmmakers to showcase their work and network with industry professionals. This festival thus represents a strategic cultural initiative to promote Macao as a growing international hub for short films and cinematic exchange, supporting local artists while attracting global industry attention.
References:
- Cultural Affairs Bureau (Instituto Cultural). (2025). Macao International Shorts Film Festival. Retrieved from https://www.icm.gov.mo/en/events/macao-international-shorts-film-festival
- Venice Film Festival. (2025). Giornate Degli Autori. Retrieved from https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/venice/78th-edition/giornate-degli-autori
- Macao Government Tourism Office. (2025). Macao International Shorts Film Festival. Retrieved from https://en.mgio.gov.mo/event/macao-international-shorts-film-festival-2025
- South China Morning Post. (2025). Macao International Shorts Film Festival partners with Venice Days to boost its international profile. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/3169774/macao-international-shorts-film-festival-partners-venice
- CNN Travel. (2025). Macao International Shorts Film Festival returns to spotlight Macao's cinematic creativity. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/macao-international-shorts-film-festival/index.html
- As the Macao International Shorts Film Festival (MISFF) returns for its second edition, it continues to expand its focus beyond film, featuring a variety of events related to lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and travel.
- The MISFF's partnership with Giornate Degli Autori, an independent section of the Venice Film Festival, not only boosts Macao's profile as a film-friendly destination but also positions it as a vibrant hub for cultural exchange, attracting global attention in areas beyond film.
