Regional Reels is a two-year, multi-country screen industry exchange initiative in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Screen Academy, funded by the ASEAN-Australia Centre. The project brings together 12 filmmakers - two each from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, and Australia - to co-develop cross-cultural screen projects that reflect the region’s diverse stories and to establish ongoing partnerships, trade, and investment opportunities. Regional Reels aims to develop a model to build cross-regional relationships between emerging filmmaking talent and strengthen their project development process through mentorship and a consortium of institutional project partners.
Who we are
Asia Pacific Cinematic Arts Research Network is a research group that advances screen practice through international collaboration, skills development, and capacity building across the region. With a strong record of DFAT‑supported initiatives, the group works in partnership with communities, educators, cultural institutions, and screen industries to develop capability and support locally grounded storytelling.
What we do
Our research emphasises ethical co‑creation, knowledge exchange, and models of practice that strengthen cultural preservation and sustainable creative sectors. Through long‑term partnerships and practitioner‑led research, the group contributes to inclusive screen ecosystems and enduring cultural and economic outcomes across the Asia Pacific.
Research Team
HDR Collaborators
- Vorakorn Ruetaivanichkul
- Prem Sagar Krishnan
Research Associates
- Katherine Chediak Putnam
- Jaclyn McLendon
Projects
Crossroads: Developing Partnerships and Cultural Understanding through Filmmaking
> Project Information
Crossroads brings together regional filmmakers from Australia and Indonesia to co-create horror short films rooted in each country’s unique cultural heritage, identity, and folklore. Designed for dissemination in schools and online platforms across both nations, the project aims to promote bilateral cultural understanding among youth and foster creative partnership. The project is funded by the Australia–Indonesia Institute and led by APCARN member Dr Katherine Chediak Putnam from the University of Southern Queensland.
Co-Create Cinema: Australia-Korea Film Lab
> Project Information
Co-Create Cinema is a collaborative filmmaking workshop that brings together emerging filmmakers from Australia and Korea. This project aims to deepen mutual understanding, enhance creative skills, and build lasting professional networks, while highlighting the importance of bilateral cultural exchange. Co-Create Cinema is funded by the Australia-Korea Foundation and led by the Asia Pacific Screen Academy in collaboration with Griffith Film School’s APCARN.
