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In response to a news report today (February 19) about the film "From the Queen To the Chief Executive" being rejected as the opening film for the forthcoming 25th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department said:

"The Hong Kong International Film Festival adopts artistic merit as the selection criterion. Any screening must be with the consent of the film owner. It is the Festival's practice to select a high quality Chinese film as the opening film as far as possible and preference will be given to the selection of a suitable Hong Kong film for world premiere.

"This year, all HKIFF films are selected by programmers in consultation with film advisers and endorsed by the Festival Joint Committee comprising representatives of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the joint organizers of the 25th HKIFF," he said.

The spokesman said that a suitable Hong Kong film has been selected as the opening film in accordance with the established criterion and procedures. Details of the Festival will be announced in early March.

"The film "From the Queen to the Chief Executive" has been invited to participate in the Festival. The film company's reply has not yet been received," the spokesman added.

End/Monday, February 19, 2001

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