The Asia Pacific Screen Awards has announced that it will introduce member voting rights for the first time for select categories of the fifth annual APSAs.

Past jury, nominations council, documentary and animation Academy members will determined the nominees and winners for best animated feature and documentary feature in the 2011 competition.
 
Children’s feature film Academy members will, along with past Jury and Council, decide on the nominees for best children’s feature film with the winner in that category to be determined by the international jury ahead of the APSA ceremony on Nov 24.
 
Academy members will view and vote on eligible films using eve – enhanced video encryption – a unique online screening platform developed by Brisbane-based digital media development firm The Media Architects. The eve application will allow members to watch eligible films securely wherever they are in the world.
 
The announcement was made from APSA’s International Launch in Cannes last night where a new script development fund specifically for children’s films was also announced. The fund is a partnership between APSA and Manila-based 4 Boys Films, established by APSA Academy member Butch Jimenez.
 
Two AUD$20,000 grants will be given to support new children’s feature films at creative inception that carry positive, life-affirming messages for and about children in the Asia-Pacific. It will be exclusively available to members of the APSA Academy, a group of the region’s leading film-makers comprised of past nominee, council members and international jury of APSA.

Topics