In 2027, a new benchmark for international film festivals will be established in Macau.

‘The Actors Festival Macau’ Launches a Global Project Centered on Supporting Actors

In 2027, Macau is expected to emerge as a new cultural hub for actors worldwide. The international cultural project “The Actors Festival Macau,” which places supporting and scene-stealer actors—who have sustained films and OTT productions around the world—at the center, has officially entered its preparation phase.

This project is being led by Lee Seungwoo, who has served as the chief planner and successfully operated the supporting-actor-focused awards ceremony “Scene Stealer Festival” in Korea for four editions. From actor casting and media exposure to its operational framework, the awards ceremony has been run as a complete system, effectively validating the potential of a supporting-actor-centered model. This accumulated experience is fully reflected in the overall planning structure of this international project.

During the initial planning stage, Dubai and Macau were considered as the final candidate cities. However, based on four key criteria—ease of actor mobility, a stable visa environment, the ability to utilize the entire city as a stage, and above all, a city structure capable of most effectively realizing the philosophy of “Cannes for Supporting Actors”—Macau demonstrated overwhelming suitability and was selected as the final host city.

Regarding this decision, Chief Planner Lee Seungwoo stated, “This project is not an event limited to a specific region, but a world-scale project,” adding, “We determined that Macau is the most complete stage on which supporting actors can create their own ‘Cannes.’” He further noted, “Among cultural events held in Macau to date, this project is expected to record the highest volume of global media coverage.”

The Actors Festival Macau does not adopt an invitation model centered on specific stars or box-office appeal. Instead, it focuses on actors who have consistently contributed to the quality of films and OTT productions across various countries. Based on networks spanning Asia, Europe, and the Americas, the organizing committee is preparing to invite approximately 200 international actors. The actor invitation process goes beyond simple list compilation and is being advanced step by step, based on a structure that naturally highlights each actor’s career and roles.

The event structure itself also differentiates the festival from conventional film festivals. The Actors Festival Macau is designed as an open festival that is not confined to a single venue, but instead utilizes the entirety of Macau as its stage. Through 150 digital information kiosks and 200 LED red carpet installations, festival content circulates throughout the city, allowing Macau as a whole to function as a single cultural platform.

Currently, the festival planning team is in the preparation stage for main sponsorship discussions targeting six major casino groups that represent Macau: Wynn, MGM, Galaxy, SJM, Sands, and Melco. These companies are key industrial pillars of Macau and have played symbolic roles in shaping tourism, culture, and the city’s brand identity. The project is preparing preliminary materials to explain and discuss the main sponsorship structure of an international cultural festival with these corporations.

Meanwhile, the project has officially entrusted related work to CFB Lawyers, a leading law firm in Macau. CFB Lawyers is handling government approval procedures, legal structuring, CSR approval processes, and overall administrative procedures related to sponsorship, ensuring that the project is systematically prepared in compliance with Macau’s administrative requirements.

Regarding this, Chief Planner Lee Seungwoo commented, “Without CFB Lawyers organizing the approval structure and procedures from the initial stage, it would have been difficult to even begin this project,” adding, “I am deeply grateful for their professional handling of the work, and we will continue preparing the project with full responsibility through to the end.”

The Actors Festival Macau, scheduled to launch in Macau in 2027, aims to implement a new international film festival model centered on supporting actors. The project is currently focused on approval procedures and operational structuring, and will be advanced step by step in accordance with the official schedule going forward.