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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, at the opening ceremony of Fresh Wave 2010 - International Short Film Festival this evening (September 17):
Mr Ma (Fung-kwok, Chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development Council), Mr To (Kei-fung, Johnnie, Chairman of Film and Media Group, Hong Kong Arts Development Council), Ms Campion (Jane, film director), distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to join so many young filmmakers this evening for the opening of the Fresh Wave 2010 - International Short Film Festival.
Over the past six years, more than 60 talented young filmmakers have gained great exposure and valuable experience at Fresh Wave.
I congratulate the Arts Development Council for launching this platform for young filmmakers to create and screen their works.
This year the council has gone a step further by organising the Fresh Wave International Short Film Festival.
The festival not only showcases short films produced by local students and young filmmakers, but also 20 award-winning short films by overseas university students. This will certainly add an international flavour to the event, and broaden the perspectives of our home-grown film talent.
For a small city like ours, Hong Kong has an extraordinary cinematic history. Our new generation of filmmakers are able to benefit from the experience of those who have blazed a path for Hong Kong films over the years.
I would like to thank our established filmmakers for mentoring the younger generation and passing on their professional techniques and expertise in the industry.
Our film directors and producers have also helped to make Fresh Wave such a success since its launch in 2005.
The film industry is a flagship of Hong Kong's creative industries. Years of prolific film making in this city have contributed significantly to the development of our tourism and services industries. It has also opened a window on Hong Kong to the world and enhanced the image of our city overseas.
This is a valuable resource and the Government is committed to supporting the injection of new blood into our film industry.
Last year we launched the Hong Kong Film New Action project to promote our new film directors. Under the project, a delegation comprising emerging local directors was formed, led by the Film Development Council (FDC).
The delegation has so far visited Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and the Mainland of China to publicise and promote both local film directors and Hong Kong films in general.
Hong Kong and Mainland seminars and business-matching sessions were also organised for our new directors to meet overseas film production business people to explore new opportunities for co-operation.
In the past few years, our Film Development Fund has financed a number of training programmes to nurture young talent in this field, from script-writers to post-production technicians, from cameramen to digital film projectionists. The Fund also helps to incorporate animation film arts into our high school curriculum and to introduce film profession qualifications in our higher education.
This highlights the opportunities for young filmmakers to showcase their talents, and contribute to the growth of the local film industry.
I congratulate the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and everyone involved in this year's festival. I wish you all a memorable and successful Fresh Wave 2010.
Last but certainly not least, for friends from the Hong Kong arts and culture circle, this weekend is an important occasion for one of our most influential arts institutions. From today to this Sunday, the Arts Development Council will hold polling to elect representatives of various arts interests to sit on the council. These representatives will play an important role in the planning, promotion and support of arts development in Hong Kong. So I look forward to the keen participation of over 7,000 eligible voters in the polling.
Thank you very much.
Ends/Friday, September 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:47
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