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A total of 14 Hong Kong films will be screened under the theme "Hong Kong Forever!" at the 13th New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) in Lincoln Center today (June 27, New York time) till July 10. Hong Kong's award-winning Queen of Comedy, Ms Sandra Ng and dynamic director-writer duo, Mr Alan Mak and Mr Felix Chong, attended the opening reception and the post-screening Qs and As sessions today.
Sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY) to celebrate the 17th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the series of films with most titles released in 2013 and 2014 showcase renewed vigor and strength of the Hong Kong films that made Hong Kong cinema known throughout Asia and the rest of the world.
Speaking at the opening night reception in Lincoln Center today, Acting Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, Mr Paul Cheung, said most of the Hong Kong films were brought to the film savvy audience in New York for the first time. There will be altogether nine Hong Kong movie premieres, i.e. one international premiere, six North American premieres and two New York premieres. They feature diverse genres of crime thrillers, comedy, drama and policiers, etc.
Mr Cheung added that, "The Hong Kong Government has been strongly supporting the long term development of the creative industry through various initiatives. For example, the Government injected US$39 million into the Film Development Fund in 2007. Since then, it has funded 30 films and over 100 film-related projects so far, and many of them have achieved remarkable results."
Ms Sandra Ng, who produced and led a star-studded cast in the third instalment of the franchise "Golden Chickensss" (2014), received the NYAFF's Star Asia Award on June 27, making her the first Hong Kong actress to receive the honour. It is the North American premiere of the "Golden Chickensss" to be shown at the Festival.
Making its international premiere at the Festival is "Overheard 3" (2014), the latest instalment of the hugely successful action thriller trilogy. The film's writing-directing team of Mr Alan Mak and Mr Felix Chong made their mark in co-writing and creating the classic Infernal Affairs trilogy. Its Hollywood version, "The Departed" (2006) won four Oscars that include Best Adapted Screenplay.
The Festival also has a separate programme sponsored by the HKETONY to pay tribute to the legendary film maestro Sir Run Run Shaw, who passed away in Hong Kong earlier this year. The retrospective will screen eight films, which are a mix of period martial arts, action and horror films, produced by the Shaw Brothers' Studio from 1967 to 1983.
Ends/Saturday, June 28, 2014
Issued at HKT 10:22
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