On December 3, "Asian Cinema in Europe" panel of the 2nd Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) kicked off in Sanya, Hainan. International planners of different major film festivals gathered together to share their opinions towards the development of Asian film industry.

Roger Garcia, as the special art advisor of the second HIIFF and the former executive director of the Hongkong International Film Festival Society, stated when interviewed by hinews.cn reporter that the HIIFF has great potential and a bright future.

He added that the HIIFF has been held for two consecutive years, the one this year witnessing a significant improvement in terms of the number of invited guests and the scale of celebration. And he held the view that as some of the best film festivals in the world always take place in seaside resorts, like Cannes in France and Busan in South Korea, so the film festival held in Sanya will be an enjoyable experience for the visitors, for the holiday resort has a good infrastructure, such as hotels, restaurants and transportation.

Roger Garcia has been dedicated to promoting Asian films for a long time. He thought it is necessary in the market to set a dedicated section to Asian cinema, such as "Asian Cinema in Europe" panel this time, which helps bring the audience and filmmakers together. He added that the similar activities have been held in Southeast Asia, “It is good to try to bring the excellent filmmakers together in south China, such as Hainan island, to make better relations with these film industries of Southeast Asian countries, for many of them have Chinese communities who are used to watching Chinese films.”

Mr Roger Garcia is former Executive Director and is currently an advisor of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and the Asian Film Awards Academy. He has been a jury member, consultant, programmer, and advisor to many international film festivals in Asia, Europe, and the United States, including Berlin, Bucheon, Hong Kong, Locarno, Manila, San Francisco, Turin, Venice, the Udine Far East Film Festival, and the first ASEAN film awards in Vietnam. His writings on film have been published extensively by Asiaweek, the British Film Institute, Cahiers du cinéma, Far Eastern Economic Review, Film Comment, and Variety.