*********************************************************
Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) today (March 19) launched the First Feature Film Initiative to identify and nurture talent for local film industry through a competition focusing on screenplays and production proposals.
With the full support of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), the Film Development Fund (FDF) will provide full funding within two years for three new directors and their production teams to implement their winning film proposals and make their first commercial feature films.
The winning teams are required to complete the whole film production and sales process involving planning, shooting and distribution, and in the process acquire practical knowledge in making a feature film.
Speaking at the launch ceremony today, the Chairman of the FDC, Mr Jack So, said that this new talent-nurturing project is the Government's latest measure in support of the film industry.
"The First Feature Film Initiative seeks to identify and nurture prospective film production talent to help promote the long-term development of local film industry. It also serves as a stepping stone for youngsters aiming for a career in the film industry. Existing film workers can also take the opportunity to switch to film directing," he said.
Mr So noted that the scheme is pilot in nature, with estimated expenditure of $9.95 million.
The First Feature Film Initiative takes the form of a competition divided into two groups, the Higher Education Institutions Group and the Professionals Group. There will be two prizes in the Higher Education Institutions Group, with each winning team receiving a maximum of $2 million from the FDF to make its first feature film. There will be one prize in the Professionals Group, in which the winning team will receive a maximum of $5 million from the FDF to make its first feature film. Each participating team will be nominated by specified higher education institutions or film organisations. The director of each team shall not have previously shot any commercial film with a running time of 80 minutes or longer.
For details of the scheme, please visit the website of CreateHK (www.createhk.gov.hk) or the website of the FDC (www.fdc.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:03
NNNN
