"Hong Kong Thematic Film Festival in Shanghai 2019 - Apprenticeship and Succession", featuring the unique master-apprentice tradition and the distinct style of Hong Kong films, opened in Shanghai today (November 4). The Festival is one of the major events of Festival Hong Kong 2019 - A Cultural Extravaganza@Shanghai, and aims to foster exchanges between the film industries of Hong Kong and Shanghai.

     Jointly presented by Create Hong Kong of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Film Development Council and Broadway Cinematheque, the film festival will be held until November 10 at Palace Cinemas in Shanghai. Classic and recent Hong Kong films to be screened include "Final Victory", "The New One-Armed Swordsman", "Just Heroes", "As Tears Go By", "City on Fire", "Little Cheung", "Accident" and "In Your Dreams". There will be post-screening talks joined by the Festival Ambassadors for discussions with audiences.

     Officiating at the opening ceremony of the film festival today, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to the development of the Hong Kong film industry and believes that its prospects are very promising. In 2019, we injected $1 billion into the Film Development Fund for nurturing talent, enhancing local production, market expansion and building the audience. The Hong Kong Film Development Council has utilised the fund in grooming many talented new directors and artistes. It is encouraging to know the six films screened up till now have scooped 25 local and international awards."

     She added, "The relevant Central Authorities and the China Film Administration have endorsed five measures in April this year to further facilitate the entry of Hong Kong films and film practitioners to the Mainland market. This brings a positive and proactive impact to Hong Kong films, co-productions and Hong Kong artistes in entering the Mainland market. We look forward to boosting the co-development of the Hong Kong and Mainland film industries by closer collaboration between the two places under the new measures."

     Mrs Lam noted that since the implementation of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and its Supplements, the output and the production scale of films co-produced and co-funded by the Mainland and Hong Kong have grown tremendously, with the production of about 30 films a year and three out of the top 10 box office hits in the Mainland in 2018 being co-productions.

     Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Mayor of Shanghai, Mr Ying Yong; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau; the Director of the Shanghai Municipal Film Administration, Mr Hu Jinjun; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Dr Wilfred Wong; the Head of Create Hong Kong, Mr Victor Tsang; special guest Jackie Chan; Festival Ambassadors Kara Wai and Simon Yam; noted actor Eric Tsang; and new film director Tam Wai-ching.   

     For programme details and ticketing arrangements, please visit www.festivalhongkong.gov.hk/en/film.html.

Ends/Monday, November 4, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:47

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