The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) and Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) have jointly supported the participation of 11 Hong Kong films across many genres in three international film festivals in Italy and Greece.

     The Salento International Film Festival held in Tricase, Italy, is a major international film festival in the south of Italy. HKETO, Brussels and CreateHK supported the screening of three Hong Kong films, namely "Throw Down" and "A Hero Never Dies" by Johnnie To as well as "Operation Mekong" by Dante Lam, at the Salento International Film Festival held from September 4 to 8. 

     The Dragon Film Festival held from September 10 to 12 in Florence, Italy, is a major film festival with a focus on films from Asia, particularly Hong Kong. This year, the Dragon Film Festival screened five Hong Kong films, namely Stanley Kwan's "First Night Nerves", Ann Hui's "Our Time Will Come", Herman Yau's "The Leakers" and "A Home with a View" and Jessey Tsang's "The Lady Improper" with the support of HKETO, Brussels and CreateHK.

     In Greece, the Thessaloniki International Film Festival being held from September 29 to October 1 in Thessaloniki is a prominent international film festival in southeast Europe for classic films. HKETO, Brussels and CreateHK have supported the showing of three Hong Kong films in this year's film festival, namely "Boat People" by Ann Hui, "A Better Tomorrow" by John Woo and "Comrades: Almost a Love Story" by Peter Chan.

     These three film festivals have brought Hong Kong cinema closer to Italian and Greek audiences and put the Hong Kong film industry in the spotlight. Speaking at the opening ceremonies of these film festivals, the Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, said that the vibrant atmosphere of Hong Kong, with its Eastern heritage and Western influences, creates an environment that encourages creativity and diversity. Miss Chau added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has long played a complementary role in supporting the film industry, which has been the cornerstone of Hong Kong's creative industries.

     In Tricase, Miss Chau also spoke at a business seminar held to promote Hong Kong as the gateway for Italian companies to enter the Mainland and Asian markets. The business seminar was followed by a networking reception.    

Ends/Monday, September 30, 2019
Issued at HKT 18:55

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