The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (October 6) congratulated Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai on claiming the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award at the 27th Busan International Film Festival. The award is granted to Asian filmmakers who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the Asian film industry and culture.
      
     Mr Yeung said, "Leung's refined skills and acting charisma have fertilised the realm of art and visual culture in the films he participated in, bringing Hong Kong movies to the world stage successfully and showcasing the Hong Kong's cultural soft power. We sincerely congratulate Leung on winning this hard-earned and well-deserved title. We are so proud of him."
      
     Mr Yeung added that Hong Kong movies and filmmakers have gained recognition among their counterparts worldwide by winning a number of international awards in recent years, and the Government and the Hong Kong Film Development Council will continue to provide support on various fronts and push for sustainable development of the industry.
      
     The Busan International Film Festival, founded in 1996, is one of the most influential international film festivals in Asia. Past awardees of Asian Filmmaker of the Year have included directors Hirokazu Kore-eda and Abbas Kiarostami, as well as Hong Kong actor Andy Lau and Hong Kong directors Ann Hui and Tsui Hark.

Ends/Thursday, October 6, 2022
Issued at HKT 12:30

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