Latest news with #HongKongFilmDevelopmentCouncil
RTHK
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTHK
Lights, camera, action as Walled City show lives on
Lights, camera, action as Walled City show lives on Officials at the launch of the 'Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey' exhibition. Photo: RTHK Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says the show at the Kowloon Walled City Park is much bigger than two earlier versions. Photo: RTHK SAR tourism officials and film veterans on Friday hailed the launch of a new exhibition that allows people to take a deep dive into iconic 1980s life at Kowloon Walled City using replica movie sets, saying the attraction will create new economic benefits. The launch of the three-year show – "Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey" – came after the government on Tuesday unveiled a total of nine tourism hotspots, including the exhibition, to woo tourists for in-depth tours. In an opening ceremony for the exhibition, Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk said the show – which is located at Kowloon Walled City Park, the site of the original slum city – is much bigger than two earlier versions of the exhibition that were held at the airport and Kai Tak. The exhibition features replica movie sets from last year's "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In" hit film. "The film scene exhibition not only attracts more visitors to the park but also connects to scenic spots in Kowloon City, such as the Kai Tak Sports Park, urban views and Thai-style cuisine in the district," Cheuk said. "Through various tourist routes within the area, tourists can experience the authentic culture of Hong Kong and taste different delicacies. "At the same time, this can boost consumption in the area and create economic benefits." The exhibition is the third to feature the hit movie and will present more iconic sets from the film, including a barber, tailor and fish-ball shops as well as a bing sutt precursor to today's cha chan teng. Visitors will be able to explore the exhibition using interactive technology to experience the lives of residents living in the walled city back in the 1980s. Officials will also roll out designs using augmented technology in the district from the third quarter of this year. Hong Kong Film Development Council chairman Wilfred Wong said the show will allow visitors to learn more about Hong Kong's history. He added that large projection screens installed on rooftops will give people a sense of what days and nights are like living in Kowloon Walled City, with special sound effects, such as of planes reverberating over the district.
South China Morning Post
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Award-winning director Soi Cheang appointed to Hong Kong Film Development Council
The award-winning director of the Hong Kong box office hit 'Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In', Soi Cheang Pou-soi, has been appointed a government adviser on policies on the development of the local film industry, it was announced on Friday. Advertisement Cheang is among four new faces given seats on the Hong Kong Film Development Council, serving a two-year term, starting from next Tuesday. The other three are Anne Chan On-yee of AR Asia production company; David Ding Kai of Sil-Metropole Organisation; and film producer and actress Ivy Ho Wan-ming. Meanwhile, prominent businessman Wilfred Wong Ying-wai and award-winning film director Mabel Cheung Yuen-ting have been reappointed to serve another term as the chairman and vice-chairman of the council respectively. Wong also chairs the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society. Advertisement The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law Shuk-pui welcomed the appointments. 'The newly appointed and reappointed members have rich experience in the film industry and community services. I trust that they will provide valuable advice to the government in fostering the long-term development of Hong Kong's film industry,' she said.
Associated Press
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
FILMART & EntertainmentPulse Attracted Over 7,600 Global Industry Players
Showcasing new developments across entertainment industry value chain FILMART and EntertainmentPulse drew industry players from 42 countries and regions, attracting more than 7,600 global participants, promoting cross-regional, cross-media and cross-industry collaboration and strengthening Hong Kong's position as a centre for cultural and artistic exchange There was significant growth of ASEAN exhibitors and buyers with over 50% and 15% increase respectively year-on-year The inaugural Producers Connect programme, jointly organised by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Creative Industries Development Agency, the Hong Kong Film Development Council, and Hong Kong Trade Development Council received an overwhelming response, drawing more than 1,300 participants to discuss the collaboration opportunities across various markets AI applications and Asian animation took centre stage, bringing together industry experts to explore the synergy between innovative technology and creative industries HONG KONG - March 20, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE) - Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) and EntertainmentPulse drew to a successful close today, attracting more than 7,600 industry players from 42 countries and regions, promoting cross-regional, cross-media and cross-industry collaboration. The four-day event brought together more than 760 exhibitors from 34 countries and regions. The event was more international this year, with particularly strong growth in participation from ASEAN countries which saw exhibitor numbers surge by more than 50% while buyer attendance from the region rose 15% year-on-year. Producers Connect opens new avenues for global film collaborationThe inaugural Producers Connect programme, jointly organised by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the Hong Kong Film Development Council, and HKTDC received an overwhelming response. The initiative attracted strong participation from international producers alongside veteran and emerging local filmmakers, including Oliver Chan, Tenky Tin, Jill Leung, drawing more than 1,300 participants to discuss the collaboration opportunities across various markets. A highlight of the programme, 'International Coproduction: Balancing Risk and Rewards', explored crucial aspects of creative talent integration, funding sources diversification and audience base expansion. Industry leaders including Gabriela Tocchio, Executive Producer of Gullane Films from Brazil, Justin Kim, Head of International Film Production at Korea's CJ ENM, and Natacha Devillers, Producer at France's Les Petites Lumières, shared insights on overcoming cultural differences and logistical challenges. The programme featured a 'Fireside Chats' series focusing on global market development strategies, emerging and European market opportunities, and intellectual property (IP) development and extension, providing local producers with valuable international perspectives while fostering cross-regional partnerships. Additionally, at the EntertainmentPulse forum, veteran film critic Thomas Shin, The Last Dance's director and producer Anselm Chan, screenwriter Cheng Wai-kei, alongside Papa's producer Amy Chin and director-screenwriter Philip Yung, discussed the transformation and prospects of Hong Kong cinema. Growing international presence connects global industry players This year's FILMART featured various regional pavilions with distinctive programmes to showcase their thriving film, television and entertainment industries to global participants - Thailand's Ministry of Culture hosted two forums highlighting its creative cultural industry capabilities; Indonesia themed its participation around fostering global partnerships, presenting diverse works; while the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) focused on Asia collaboration this year, Dato' Azmir Saifuddin Bin Mutalib, CEO, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) said, 'It was a great start on the first day of FILMART 2025, and among the discussions that concluded successfully is the discussion with the HK Cultural & Creative Development Agency on co-production funding, finalising an MoU with KOFIC Korea and discussion with Cambodia on market access.' The Investment New South Wales (NSW) of Australia made its debut appearance at FILMART, promoting local creative industry development, Helen Sawczak, NSW Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Greater China said, 'We are excited to be making our debut at FILMART and eager to connect world-class screen industry with global partners. As one of the premier international forums for film and entertainment, FILMART offers the ideal stage to showcase NSW's creative excellence while fostering cross-border collaborations and opportunities.' First-time participants including Armenia, the Czech Republic, and Kazakhstan, and, along with buyers from emerging markets such as Argentina, Bulgaria, Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan, underscore Hong Kong's crucial role as a bridge connecting global film and television markets. AI expands production horizons with Ne Zha 2 team sharing success story The exhibition's spotlight feature, the pilot project AI Hub, brought together ten exhibitors showcasing innovative AI solutions spanning across production, post-production, distribution, and promotional applications, attracting more than 3,900 industry professionals to take part in its interactive forums at the exhibition zone. Riding on the global success of Ne Zha 2, EntertainmentPulse hosted a forum titled 'Gearing up for the AI Opportunities', featuring special presentations from Hong Li Animation Studios and Heguang Post-Production, who shared their experiences in AI-powered special effects creation. Liu Baoyu, Vice General Manager of Heguang Post-Production, said 'We should make good use of AI while maintaining respect for traditional art, as we continue to explore new forms of artistic expression.' Jihong Chen, Partner of Zhong Lun Law Firm emphasised that AI proficiency is now crucial for staying competitive. Key events highlight industry developments and Asian animation's new opportunities The Digital Entertainment Summit was themed as 'Unlock Opportunities of the Dynamic Animation Market and Productions in Asia' and was jointly organised by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association. The summit featured two specialist panels namely 'Asian Animation Market Trends & Development' with speakers including Catherine Ying, Vice President of CMC Inc. and President of Pearl Studio; Francesco Prandoni, Global Licensing Team Leader at Production I.G, Inc. and Mia Angelia Santosa, Chief of Staff at Visinema; and Kang Yue, Senior Business Director at bilibili, who shared insights on market opportunities. The second panel, 'Prospects for Asian Animation Creation & Production in Asia', featured Karyabudi Mohd. Aris, Director of Marketing, Sales and Licensing at Les' Copaque Production Sdn., Nao Hirasawa, CEO of ARCH Inc., Polly Yeung, Producer and Scriptwriter at Point Five Creations, and Yu Zhou, Co-founder and President of Light Chaser Animation Studios, who explored the latest developments in Asian animation production. Phoenix TV and the UK Department for Business and Trade also jointly held a UK-China Screen Forum during FILMART and announced that the BBC Studio documentary 'Asia' and the iconic IP 'Walking with Dinosaurs' will be exclusively screened on Phoenix TV Chinese Channel and iQiyi respectively, further promoting UK-China film and television cooperation. The 23rd Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF23) was also held during FILMART, where 48 selected film projects participated in business matching sessions with investors, producers, and distributors from over 35 countries and regions during the three-day event, further exploring investment opportunities for the Asian film and entertainment industry. To facilitate industry exchange and rights trading, FILMART also featured 24 screenings including 10 world premieres, 7 international premieres, and 5 Asian premieres, alongside pitching sessions and business matching activities. This year, the Hong Kong Entertainment Expo introduced the new 'Hong Kong Film Music Fiesta,' organised by the Hong Kong Film Composers' Association. Under the theme 'Echoes of Order and Chaos' and led by music directors Tomy Wai and Julian Chan, the showcase performed classic selections from various film composers, paying tribute to acclaimed filmmakers and musicians including Benny Chan, Teddy Robin, and Kenji Kawai, while exploring the timeless duality of justice and crime through action themes, showcasing the distinctive flair and creative excellence of Hong Kong film music. Additionally, there were three flash-mob performances all with a Hong Kong movie music theme, to demonstrate the distinctive appeal of cross-media collaboration between music and film, fostering more cross-sector partnerships. All registered attendees at FILMART can access the online IP catalogue which features over 1,600 creative IP projects, extending the four-day physical exhibition into a two-month networking platform, assisting the industry explore business opportunities and further strengthening Hong Kong's position as Asia's film and entertainment trading hub. The catalogue will remain accessible until 27 April 2025, enabling the industry to continue exploring global business opportunities. Photo Download: Media enquiries For enquiries, please contact: Raconteur PR: HKTDC Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Say My Name,' ‘Her First Taste,' ‘A Stranger at My Door' and ‘Seoulers' Share Honors at Evenly Spread HAF Project Market Awards
The honors were evenly distributed at the 2025 Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum awards with one film project winning three prizes and several others. The event kicked off with the announcement of an Asian Short Film Fund. More from Variety 'Drive My Car' Producer Backs First Feature from Sakamoto Yukari Isabel Sandoval Wraps 'Moonglow' Indonesian Actor Reza Rahadian Sets 'Pangku' Liu Xing's Mainland China-Hong Kong drama-romance 'Say My Name' won three prizes. Picking up two prizes each were Gong Yiwen's Mainland China drama 'Her First Taste,' Zheng Lu Xinyuan's Hong Kong-Mainland China drama 'A Stranger at My Door' and Hee Young Pyun and Jiajun 'Oscar' Zhang's South Korea-U.S. drama-suspense film 'Seoulers.' In his opening remarks, Dr. Wilfred Wong, chair of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, hailed the packed attendance at this year's market. 'The 2025 HKIFF industry project market, is an expanded version and a special edition that focused on teamwork and new ideas. Over the past three days, we have held over 1200 meetings connecting creators and field professionals across all genre, from action and science fiction to animation. This is an incredible achievement, because out of 400 submissions across 45 countries and regions, we have selected 48 projects that demonstrates bold creativity and skills,' Wong said. 'We're extremely excited this year to have introduced the new animation section. In response to the growing interest in this area. We are also proud that we have introduced and showcased two Indonesian films with the partnership of the Jakarta Film Week, highlighting the rising influence of Indonesian film in a cinematic landscape,' Wong added. In all, 24 awards worth $250,000 were distributed. Network of Asian Fantastic Films Award, which wins a trip to Bucheon for the festival. '2181 Overture' by Wang Kunlin. Udine Focus Asia Award, where the winner gets invited to Udine to participate in Focus Asia.'Seoulers' by Hee Young Pyun and Jiajun 'Oscar' Zhang. HKIFF China Genre Initiative Award carrying an in-kind prize worth HK$300,000 ($38,600) and mentorship. 'Seoulers.' Aputure Award, carrying an inkind prize of HK$300,000 ($38,600. 'A Stranger at My Door' by Zheng Lu Xinyuan. La Fonte Award, a prize including cash and in-kind worth HK$100,000 ($12,800). 'Dead Tide,' by Kethsvin Chee. Taipei Film Commission Award, prize of HK$50,000 ($6,400). 'Indigo Boy,' by Bill Chia. HAF x CNC Award, a new award with a cash prize of €10,000 ($10,900). 'A Stranger at My Door.' Maxtimes Pictures Award, a new award with a cash prize of HK$100,000 ($12,800). 'Innocent Flesh' by Lin Yihan. Under the HAF Goes to Cannes program, five work-in-progress projects are selected to attend the Cannes market. This year they are 'Her First Taste,' Reza Rehadian's 'Pangku,' 'Say My Name,' Tribeni Rai's 'Shape of Momo' and Sakamoto Yukari's 'White Flowers and Fruits.' AimMedia Potential Award where the winner receives a cash award of HK$100,000 ($12,800). 'Min' by Li Jiajia. Sky Animation Award where the winner receives a cash award of HK$100,000 ($12,800). 'A Mighty Adventure' by Toe Yuen. Pica Pica Media Post-Production Award carrying an in-kind prize of $30,000. 'A Woman Builds' by Huang Ji and Otsuka Ryuji. White Light Post-Production Award offering post-production services in Bangkok worth $15,000 each for an in-development project and a work-in-progress project. This year the award went to 'Yellow' by Yamaura Miyoh and 'Say My Name.' Red Sea Fund Award, another new award, comes with a cash prize of $5000 for an in-development project and $10,000 for a work-in-progress project. This year it was won by 'Besik. Homecoming' by Iskandar Usmonov and 'Name and Hair' by Li Jing. IDP Awards for one Hong Kong and one non-Hong Kong project with cash prizes of HK$100,000 ($12,800) each. 'Drive South Pray West by Penu Aree and Kong Rithdee and 'Waves Under the Sea' byu Chan Sileong. WIP Awards for one Hong Kong and one non-Hong Kong project with cash prizes of HK$100,000 ($12,800) each. 'Her First Taste' and 'Say My Name.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025
