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Two Hong Kong movies, "The Stool Pigeon" and "Love in a Puff", were among some 150 films featured at the 54th San Francisco International Film Festival, the longest-running film festival in the Americas.
More than 150 guests and filmmakers attended the reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, prior to the screening of "The Stool Pigeon" today (May 2, San Francisco time).
Welcoming the guests, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, Mr Jeff Leung, said that the two Hong Kong movies presented at the festival were both honoured at the most recent Hong Kong Film Awards. Mr Nicholas Tse was named best actor in "The Stool Pigeon" while "Love in a Puff" won best screenplay for Mr Pang Ho-cheung and Ms Heiward Mak.
Mr Leung said that Hong Kong is driven by talented people and is uniquely positioned as the hub where "East meets West". "Together with the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Basic Law, Hong Kong's film industry continues to flourish," he said.
"With a rich East-meets-West culture and its unique cityscape, Hong Kong is an excellent location for filming. Mega-movies, like 'The Dark Knight' carried out location shooting in Hong Kong.
"Over the years, many Hong Kong actors, directors and producers have become household names at an international level by producing highly popular movies. In the past 10 years, Hong Kong movies and film talent have won over 300 international awards," he continued.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been promoting the film industry, which is the flagship of the creative industries. The Film Services Office was established to promote Hong Kong films and support film productions.
"Through the implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between Mainland China and Hong Kong, we have broadened the horizon for Hong Kong to explore the Mainland China market. Hong Kong-Mainland film co-productions have grown rapidly and many have achieved major box office success in the Mainland China.
"We welcome filmmakers to capitalise on the experience of the Hong Kong film industry or make use of the state-of-the-art film production services and facilities we provide in Hong Kong. Through Hong Kong movies, more people will appreciate and understand the culture and dynamics of this Asia's World City," he concluded.
Ends/Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Issued at HKT 13:03
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