HKETO, Brussels promotes Hong Kong films at nine international film festivals in Europe in 2018/19 (with photos)

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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) supported the participation of Hong Kong films in nine film festivals in Europe in 2018/19, most recently at the CinemAsia Film Festival 2019 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, held from March 5 to 10.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the CinemAsia Film Festival on March 10 (Amsterdam time), the Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, said the vibrant atmosphere of Hong Kong, with its Eastern heritage and Western influences, creates an environment that encourages creativity and diversity.

Hong Kong films have gained increasing recognition from the international film industry over the years, with young talents on the rise. First-time film director Jun Li's film "Tracey", which was screened at the CinemAsia Film Festival 2019, has been nominated in nine categories, including the Best New Director category, in the upcoming 38th Hong Kong Film Awards.

Miss Chau remarked that Jessey Tsang's film "The Lady Improper", which would be screened that evening in its European premiere, contained a fine performance by Charlene Choi, who has been nominated for the Hong Kong Film Awards in the Best Actress category.

"I am delighted that filmmakers behind three Hong Kong films screened in the Festival, Mary Stephen, Jessey Tsang and Jun Li, are able to be here tonight. Mary Stephen, one of Hong Kong's most distinguished editors and directors, also gave a masterclass at the Festival," Miss Chau said, adding that the Festival also screened the Dutch premiere of Stanley Kwan's "First Night Nerves".

The CinemAsia Film Festival 2019 in Amsterdam was the last of nine film festivals supported by HKETO, Brussels in 2018/19. The other festivals were the 2018 Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival in Brussels, Belgium; the 5th Dragon Film Festival in Florence, Italy; the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy; the Asian Summer Film Festival in Vic, Spain; the Salento International Film Festival in Tricase, Italy; the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Thessaloniki, Greece; the Sitges Fantastic Film Festival in Sitges, Spain; and the Asian Film Festival Barcelona 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. Apart from supporting Hong Kong films screening in these film festivals, which were well received by European audiences, HKETO, Brussels also hosted networking receptions and/or supported the organisation of exchange sessions or masterclasses in these film festivals to provide valuable opportunities for Hong Kong filmmakers to discuss and exchange filmmaking experience and skills with European filmmakers.

Ends/Monday, March 11, 2019
Issued at HKT 21:31

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From left: the Managing Director of the CinemAsia Film Festival, Ms Pan Hui-hui; the Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau; the Artistic Director of the CinemAsia Film Festival, Ms Maggie Lee; and filmmakers Mary Stephen and Jessey Tsang are pictured at the closing ceremony of the CinemAsia Film Festival 2019 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on March 10 (Amsterdam time).

The Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau (front row, third left), is pictured on March 10 (Amsterdam time) with filmmakers Mary Stephen (front row, second left) and Jessey Tsang (front row, fourth left) as well as a group of audience members of the "The Lady Improper", which screened as the closing film of the CinemAsia Film Festival 2019 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.