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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), Brussels, is bringing the Hong Kong Film Panorama to Lisbon, Portugal, from January 9 to 13 in co-operation with its local partner, Zero em Comportamento.
The Hong Kong Film Panorama is an annual film festival organised by the HKETO, Brussels, which brings some of Hong Kong's latest film productions to new audiences across Europe. This is the fourth time that HKETO, Brussels, in collaboration with Zero em Comportamento, the organiser of the renowned international independent film festival IndieLisboa, is bringing the festival to the Portuguese capital.
Eight recent Hong Kong films will be screened at the Cinema City Classic Alvalade, namely Ms Ann Hui's "A Simple Life", Mr Yim Ho's "Floating City", Mr Herman Yau's "Love Lifting", Mr Alan Mak and Mr Felix Chong's "Overheard 2", Mr Bill Yip's "Cure", Mr Oxide Pang's "The Detective 2", Mr Derek Yee's "The Great Magician" and Mr Daniel Lee's "White Vengeance". After Lisbon, the festival will continue its European tour in Barcelona, Madrid, Istanbul, Izmir and other major cities in Europe.
Speaking at the opening reception of the festival in Lisbon today (January 9, Lisbon time), the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Linda Lai, said that in addition to being one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities and a financial centre, Hong Kong also takes pride in itself as a creative hub and its films serve as a brilliant cultural ambassador. Many people around the world who have never visited Hong Kong get to know our city through our movies, which have enjoyed both popular success and international acclaim. A good example is the Panorama's multi-award winning opening film, "A Simple Life".
"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is keen to promote and nurture our creative industries. From 2015 onwards, the West Kowloon Cultural District that we are constructing on a 40-hectare waterfront site will begin operation in phases," Ms Lai said.
"We also assist small- to medium-budget movies through our Film Development Fund. One of the movies that have benefited from the Fund is Mr Herman Yau's "Love Lifting", which will be shown in this festival."
She added that beyond sponsorship and infrastructure, the Government also ensures that the right environment is in place for creative industries to flourish.
"Free speech and the free flow of information and ideas are key elements of Hong Kong's cherished values and they are guaranteed by our constitution document, the Basic Law."
Ms Lai invited the audience to pay an early visit to Hong Kong to enjoy its rich and diverse culture.
Ends/Thursday, January 10, 2013
Issued at HKT 05:00
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