For the third consecutive year, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) has sponsored the Vienna International Film Festival (Viennale) in Austria to showcase Hong Kong movies. The action film "Shock Wave" directed by Herman Yau and starring Andy Lau had its first screening on October 20 and will be shown again on October 28 (Vienna time); and on October 22 and 24 (Vienna time), the drama "The White Girl" co-directed by Jenny Suen and Christopher Doyle made its debut in Vienna. The 55th edition of Austria's biggest international film event is being attended by more than 94 000 visitors who can enjoy a well-chosen selection of about 300 new films from all over the world.
      
     In the evening on October 23 (Vienna time), HKETO Berlin co-hosted the Viennale Industry Cocktail together with the Viennale at the InterContinental Vienna to welcome more than 100 representatives of the Austrian and international film industries. Invited on stage by the Viennale’s Interim Artistic Director, Mr Franz Schwartz, the Director of HKETO Berlin, Ms Betty Ho, illustrated Hong Kong’s outstanding performance in the past 20 years, ranging from the completion of new infrastructure projects to achievements in economic performance as well as academic and cultural pursuits. "These were made possible under the principle of 'one country, two systems', which enables Hong Kong to fully utilise our strengths to progress further. We stay together, we have made progress, and we are ready for new opportunities," Ms Ho said, making reference to the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) this year.
      
      Films like "Infernal Affairs" and directors such as Wong Kar-wai and Johnnie To as well as legendary actors like Chow Yun-fat, have been crucial for Hong Kong gaining its reputation as an inexhaustible source of film talents. And the future shines bright as well, with young film makers and actors bringing inspirations and new ideas to diversify and enrich Hong Kong's film industry. "The HKSAR Government is dedicated to encouraging the healthy development of creative industries. In the new Chief Executive’s maiden Policy Address delivered two weeks ago, it was announced that we would inject HK$1 billion into the CreateSmart Initiative to boost support for design and creative industries. On film, in particular, we will promote further development of the local film industry, and nurture more professionals for film production or post-production," Ms Ho continued.
      
     The renowned works of the Hong Kong film industry is not only being showcased at the Viennale. It can also be seen at the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market which will take place in Hong Kong in March 2018. In addition, HKETO Berlin has also arranged screenings of Hong Kong movies at various film festivals in Europe. Earlier in July this year, a festival on Hong Kong movies was staged in Berlin. Hong Kong productions were also put on the big silver screen at occasions such as the Zurich Film Festival in Switzerland, which dedicated a special session named "Hong Kong Window" to new Hong Kong productions (September 28 to October 8, Zurich time). Hong Kong movies will also be shown at the Five Flavours Film Festival in Warsaw (November 15 to 22, Warsaw time).
      
About HKETO Berlin
      
     HKETO Berlin is the official HKSAR Government representative in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Austria as well as the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

Ends/Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:15

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