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Some 300 movie fans today (March 14) spent a romantic evening together in Osaka, Japan, enjoying the premiere of the Hong Kong movie "Romancing in Thin Air", a touching love story directed by leading movie maker Johnnie To.
Speaking at the "Hong Kong Night" reception held before the premiere, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Ms Sally Wong, said that over the past few decades Hong Kong producers, actors, directors and cinematographers have become household names internationally with their high-quality productions.
"We exported about US$37 million worth of films in 2010, and last year our films and talents won altogether 42 awards in 17 film festivals worldwide," she said.
Ms Wong pointed out that the film industry is one of the six new economic growth engines in which Hong Kong enjoys clear advantages for further advancement.
"The Government strives to create an environment conducive to the long-term healthy development of our film industry, and provides financial support through the Film Development Fund and the Film Guarantee Fund," she said.
"Another important factor that reinforces Hong Kong's leading role as Asia's media hub is the implementation of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. This unique trade pact between Hong Kong and the Mainland has broadened the horizons for Hong Kong's film industry.
"We sincerely welcome overseas film industries to collaborate with their Hong Kong counterpart and capitalise on the latter's experience and networks in the Mainland to make the most out of the exciting opportunities emerging in China," Ms Wong added.
At the reception, Ms Wong was joined by film talents whose works have been selected for screening in the Hong Kong Film Festival now being held in Osaka.
Running from March 11 to 18, the Hong Kong Film Festival is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, in partnership with the Osaka Asian Film Festival.
Six films, including "Romancing in Thin Air", are being shown in the festival. The other five movies are Tsang Tsui-shan's "Big Blue Lake", Carol Lai's "The Second Woman", Peter Chan's "Wu Xia", Derek Tsang and Jimmy Wan's "Lover's Discourse" and Adam Wong and Saville Chan's "Friends".
The film festival is part of a series of events to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Ends/Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:53
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