Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Film Festival 2025 today (August 7):

Deputy Director Liu Guangyuan (Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)), Deputy Commissioner Pan Yundong (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR), Consul-General Ong (Dean of ASEAN Consuls-General in Hong Kong, Consul-General of Singapore in Hong Kong, Mr Ong Siew Gay), Deputy Director Wan Ning (Deputy Director-General of the Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR), Chairman Daryl Ng (Chairman of Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation), Commissioner Nicholas Ho (Commissioner for Belt and Road), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good evening. It is my pleasure to join you at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Film Festival 2025.

     Tonight, we come together to celebrate the transformative power of film - an art form that transcends borders, connects diverse cultures, and tells stories that resonate with people from all walks of life. This year's festival offers a curated lineup of over 20 acclaimed films, bringing remarkable stories from Southeast Asia to the Hong Kong audience. For the very first time, the festival also features outstanding works from four Belt and Road countries - Egypt, Hungary, Kazakhstan, and Türkiye - further enriching this cultural showcase.  

     This festival serves as a unique platform for dialogues and collaborations. I'm pleased to see filmmakers, directors, and actors from some 10 featured films participating in special sharing sessions, engaging with local youth and ASEAN students in Hong Kong. There will also be two collaborative talks between ASEAN and Hong Kong filmmakers, bringing in insightful cross-cultural discussions, paving the way for new ideas and partnerships.

     Such cultural exchange activities align perfectly with our strategic vision to establish Hong Kong as a leading East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Moreover, the activities also underscore Hong Kong's steadfast dedication to strengthening connections with countries along the Belt and Road region, solidifying its role as the "super-connector" between the Mainland of China and the global community.

     Creative industries are vital drivers of our economy, and the Hong Kong film industry stands as a flagship of our creative industry. I am sure many of you have grown up watching at least one or two Hong Kong films, enjoying TVB dramas, or listening to Canto pop hits. These treasures are truly some of the valuable cultural assets of Hong Kong that we are so proud of.

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is committed to promoting the development of Hong Kong's film industry. Recently, we have launched the Film Production Grant Scheme for Promoting Chinese Culture, encouraging Hong Kong film directors to incorporate Chinese cultural elements into film productions. We also encourage Hong Kong filmmakers to collaborate with European and Asian filmmakers through the Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme. Furthermore, Hong Kong film programmes are organised regularly in different countries to showcase Hong Kong's cinematic brilliance and to foster cultural exchange and collaboration. These efforts aim not only to bring diverse cultures to Hong Kong but also to share the richness of Chinese culture with the world.

     Before I close, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation for organising this wonderful event that furthers regional cultural exchange. I wish the ASEAN Film Festival 2025 every success and all of you an inspiring and enjoyable evening. Thank you very much.

Ends/Thursday, August 7, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:38

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