LCQ14: Supporting cinema industry
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Question:
There are views that a number of cinemas in Hong Kong have closed down one after another in recent months and the industry is facing challenges such as rising operational costs and competition from streaming platforms, raising concerns that the wave of cinema closures may continue to spread. On the other hand, as cinemas serve as both an important platform for film exhibition and an important outlet for public consumption, culture and entertainment, the industry's long-term development is in dire need of government support. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of cinema closures and new openings in each of the past five years;
(2) whether it has compiled statistics on the following information of the cinemas in each of the 18 districts across the territory at present: (i) the number of cinemas, (ii) the seating capacity, (iii) the number of seats per 1 000 population, (iv) the number of screens, and (v) the average ticket price; and how such figures compare with those from five years ago;
(3) as regards districts with "zero/few cinemas", whether the Government will, by making reference to past practices, consider including a cinema requirement in the land lease of individual land sale sites, stipulating that the cinema shall not be converted to other uses within the first seven years of operation; whether it has formulated measures to increase cinema supply; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(4) of the following information on the Cinema Day, which has been sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and held since 2023: the annual (i) number of participating cinemas, (ii) number of screenings, (iii) attendance, (iv) box-office takings, and (v) amount of government funding; whether it has assessed the effectiveness of the Cinema Day in supporting the development of the cinema industry; whether the authorities have other measures in place to further support the cinema industry?
Reply:
President,
Regarding the questions raised by the Hon Chan Pui-leung, my reply is as follows:
(1) and (2) As at July 10, 2025, there are 52 cinemas in Hong Kong, representing a decrease of nine cinemas (15 per cent) as compared to 2020 (five years ago). Although the number of cinema closures has increased in recent years, various operators have taken over some of the closed cinemas. The number of cinemas opened and closed, and the average ticket price over the past five years are set out in Annex 1.
Currently, there are cinemas in all the 18 districts except for Wong Tai Sin. The cinema closed earlier in Wong Tai Sin has been taken over by a new operator, and will be reopened in mid-July. A comparison of the number of cinemas, screens, seats and seats per 1 000 population across all districts in Hong Kong in 2020 and 2025 is set out in Annex 2.
(3) Over the past two years, cinema industry has been encountering various challenges, including the rise of streaming platforms, downturn in global film industry, lack of blockbusters with strong appeal, high cinema rental and operational costs, and changes in audience viewing and consumption habits. In addition, both the Hong Kong and global film markets are still adapting to various post-pandemic changes and challenges. Despite the closure of some cinemas over the past two years, we have also seen new cinemas opening and seizing business opportunities. The Government will continue to closely monitor the difficulties and needs of the industry and maintain close communication with the trade. In fact, Cinema Day and 1st October Movie Fiesta: Half-Price Spectacular 2024 (1st October Movie Fiesta) launched by the Government aimed at supporting the cinema industry. Moreover, the Government has provided a range of support of different nature and levels, including nurturing talents and implementing multiple film production support schemes, which will also bring benefits to the cinema industry. However, the provision and operation of cinemas should be market-driven. At present, the Government has no plan to incorporate requirement for provision of cinema in the land sale condition of government land leases.
(4) Cinema Day and 1st October Movie Fiesta have brought confidence and impetus into Hong Kong's film market. By offering concessionary ticket prices, both initiatives promote film culture to the public, allowing families and friends to enjoy movies in cinemas at affordable prices, thereby cultivating the habit of cinema-going and building audience, which in turn benefits the film industry in the long term. Both the Government and the Hong Kong Theatres Association consider the events effective in bringing new audience to cinemas, with attendance figures significantly increased compared to the same period in previous years and breaking records in attendance and box office receipts. In addition, medium-to-small-scale and niche films have received more attention during the events. Furthermore, restaurants and shops near cinemas offered discounts at the day of the events, providing additional incentive of watching movies at cinemas and boosting consumption in surrounding shops. Overall speaking, Cinema Day and 1st October Movie Fiesta benefit the cinemas, film industry, businesses, and the general public. The number of participating cinemas, screenings, attendance, box office receipts, and amount of government funding of both initiatives are set out in Annex 3.
Both Cinema Day and 1st October Movie Fiesta have received positive feedbacks from the public and the film market. The Government will continue to support Hong Kong film industry by enhancing both quality and quantity of Hong Kong films through the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, with a view to bringing confidence and impetus into the market through quality Hong Kong films. Meanwhile, the Government will also continue to fund projects and activities that build local audience, to cultivate the habit of cinema-going and support the steady development of Hong Kong films and cinema industries.
Ends/Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Issued at HKT 12:25
Issued at HKT 12:25
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