International Film Creation Camp 2026: Fala Chen Encourages Young Directors to Dream Big, Lam Ka-tung Calls for Better Use of Veteran Actors
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The International Film Creation Camp 2026 wrapped up at Sands China's integrated resort in Macau from September 18 to 22, bringing together established industry figures and emerging filmmakers. Actor-turned-producer Lam Ka-tung called for better utilization of veteran actors, sharing his experience casting the legendary Tse Sui-lai as lead in The Old Dog. Actress Fala Chen encouraged young directors and female creators to pursue their dreams, recounting her transformative four-year drama studies in New York and her recent transition to directing.
Key Points
- The International Film Creation Camp 2026 was held September 18–22 at a Sands China integrated resort in Macau, with Lam Ka-tung and Fala Chen as featured speakers
- Lam Ka-tung revealed that many veteran actors with decades of experience are confined to stereotypical or marginal roles, emphasizing that the industry should provide broader stages for both newcomers and seasoned performers
- Using The Old Dog as an example, Lam Ka-tung noted he specifically invited veteran actor Tse Sui-lai to headline the film, stating that veteran actors are "treasures" that have yet to be properly utilized
- Fala Chen shared that she relocated to New York at age 32 to pursue drama studies, spending four years rediscovering herself after nearly a decade of relentless acting work that left her feeling her youth was "vacuumed"
- After four years of training, Fala Chen concluded that "acting cannot truly be taught," though she acquired valuable tools in screenwriting, directing, and stage work that complemented her previous on-camera experience
- Fala Chen is currently developing her self-written and self-directed short film Bloodline, expressing enjoyment in collaborative creation with her team from the ground up
Why It Matters
The discussions at this camp reflect broader concerns about Hong Kong cinema's generational transition. Lam Ka-tung's advocacy for veteran actors addresses a structural imbalance where experienced performers with decades of skill are sidelined, while his openness to directing if presented with a compelling script signals potential career evolution . Fala Chen's journey from actress to director, marked by deliberate self-reinvention through overseas studies, offers a powerful template for Hong Kong talent seeking to expand beyond regional boundaries into global markets .
The discussions at this camp reflect broader concerns about Hong Kong cinema's generational transition. Lam Ka-tung's advocacy for veteran actors addresses a structural imbalance where experienced performers with decades of skill are sidelined, while his openness to directing if presented with a compelling script signals potential career evolution . Fala Chen's journey from actress to director, marked by deliberate self-reinvention through overseas studies, offers a powerful template for Hong Kong talent seeking to expand beyond regional boundaries into global markets .