Hong Kong International Film & TV market (FILMART)

Hong Kong International Film & TV market (FILMART)

EXHIBITORS AND BUYERS - THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

FILMART and HAF have once again completed in applauses and cheers after a busy week of enchanting exhibitions and over 60 special events. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the exhibitors and buyers who have made FILMART and the 6^th HAF another record-breaking success!

The number of industry professionals visiting the 12^th FILMART has reached a new height of nearly 4,200. Among them, visitors from outside Hong Kong have increased by 7.4%, to 2,079, about half of the total. The 6^th HAF has also drawn over 900 participants and arranged over 500 project meetings for filmmakers, financiers, producers, bankers, distributors and buyers.

Results from the independent on-site survey conducted by Oracle Added Value showed that FILMART and HAF were voted as the most significant film-marketing and film-financing platforms in Asia.

The Gala Opening of the Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2008 (EE2008), held on 17^th March in Hong Kong, was an extraordinary ceremony, attracting more than 2,500 international celebrities, filmmakers, industry players and government representatives.

After a welcoming speech by Mr. Jack So, Chairman of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and a brief remark by Mr. Henry Tang, Acting Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr. Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Hong Kong Entertainment Ambassador, joined them to officiate the opening ceremony.

The memorable night also marked the launch of a series of special events including premieres, international conferences, press conferences and networking events during FILMART.

GLAMOROUS OPENING NIGHT OF THE ENTERTAINMENT EXPO HONG KONG

Held immediately after the Gala Opening of the Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2008 in the same venue, the star-studded presentation ceremony of the 2^nd Asian Film Awards (AFA) was officiated by Mr. Frederick Ma, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of HKSAR and Mr. Wilfred Wong, Chairman of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society.

Other celebrity guests include Asano Tandanobu, Chang Chen, Joan Chen, Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Vivian Hsu, Ryo Kase, Jeon Do-yeon, Tony Leung, Lau Ching-wan, Jet Li, Nakatani Miki, Nakata Hideo, Shu Qi, Song Hye-kyo, Song Kang-ho, Stefanie Sun, Suo Masayuki, Stephy Tang, Tsai Ming-liang, Hanvey Weinstein, Yakushimaru Hiroko, Miriam Yeung, Yamada Yoji, Shawn Yu, etc. Broadcasted live on TVB Pearl and re-transmitted by other international channels, the AFA presentation ceremony paid tribute to 33 nominated Asian films in 12 categories.

For the complete Awards winners list, please click here.

For more information about AFA Presentation Ceremony, please click here.

AFA

The 6^th HAF was another highlight of the Entertainment Expo, attending filmmakers included Nakata Hideo, Ning Hao, Cai Shangjun, Luc Roeg, Pang Ho-cheung, Yee Chih-yen, SABU, Alexi Tan, Chris Chong, Chan-fui, Li Yang, Kuo Chen-ti, Park Tae-choon, Carol Lai Mui-suet, and Otani Kentaro.

On 19th March, the most exceptional HAF Projects were rewarded in the 6th HAF Awards Ceremony to wrap up the fascinating event. Hong Kong director Pang Ho-cheung and Ning Hao from the Chinese mainland won the HAF Awards, while the Rome Film Festival Award went to Tang Xiru, also from the Chinese mainland, and Hong Kong’s Carol Lai Miu-suet, Thailand’s Nonzee Nimibutr took home the Technicolor Thailand Awards.

Among the winners, some received cash awards from HAF and the Rome Film Fest, which amounted to a total of approximately HK$317,000 (US$40,600), whilst others won in-kind services from Technicolor Thailand Ltd, which amounted to a value of HK$234,000 (US$30,000). For the Awards Recipients list, please click here.

The 32^nd Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) officially kicked off on March 18 with a Cocktail Reception. Special guests this year included: Mr. Wilfred Wong, Chairman of the HKIFF Society; Mrs. Rita Lau, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology); Mr. Ken Ng, Marketing Director of Giordano Concepts; Ms. Sammi Cheng, Hong Kong International Film Festival Ambassador; as well as the cast and crew of this year’s Opening Films, i.e. director Mr. Yamada Yoji and leading actor Mr. Asano Tadanobu from “Kabei - Our Mother”, and director Mr. Chang Tso-Chi and cast Mr. Tseng Yi-Che and Ms. Chen Pei-Chun from “Soul of a Demon”. For more information, please click here.

Other HKIFF highlights included about 19 world premieres and 35 Asian premieres, which were widely supported by local and overseas film fanatics, directors and stars. Besides, there were five red-carpet world premieres held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, namely, “The Filmmaker in Focus (Eric Tsang) Cocktail Reception and the World Premiere of Winds of September – The Taiwan Chapter”, “ Hong Kong Panorama 2007-2008: World Premiere of City Without Baseball”, “ Hong Kong Panorama 2007-2008: World Premiere of Besieged City”,“World Premiere of Run Papa Run”, as well as “World Premiere of Love is Elsewhere” . They all achieved unprecedented success.

The 32^nd HKIFF also honored outstanding filmmakers in the Asian Digital Competition, Humanitarian Awards for Documentaries, Fresh Wave Short Film Competition, FIPRESCI and SIGNIS sections at the Awards Gala held on 26th March. For the complete Award and Recipient list, please click here.

The 32^nd HKIFF was closed on 6th April. Marking a perfect finish to this year’s HKIFF was the "World Premiere of the Closing Film, Coffee or Tea", attended by local veteran director Shu Kei and his protege Mandrew Kwan Man-hin, as well as actors Kate Yeung, Angus Chan Siu-hei, Ben Hung Chin-ming and many other film industry celebrities and professionals. For more information about the closing of the 32^nd HKIFF, please click here.

HKTDC will once again lead the Hong Kong Pavilion, in the format of a business support centre, at the International Village for the Marché du Film 2008 (14 – 23 May) in Cannes.

The service and facilities at the Hong Kong Pavilion will be available to Hong Kong citizens, staff of Hong Kong entertainment companies, accompanied overseas guests, and HAF filmmakers. The eligible industry professionals can register as our pavilion users online so as to enjoy the service and facilities for free, such as the Internet, local phone and fax service.

Registered users can also leverage on the pavilion to maximize exposure of their films at such an important film market in the world and to showcase the strength of the Hong Kong cinema.

Act now and register as our pavilion users via the online system. For more information, please feel free to email Ms. Amy Tsang.

Hong Kong Companies in Cannes

The Marché du Film will see Hong Kong companies exhibiting their latest works at Cannes in May. The HKTDC will be organising a pavilion at the Riviera alongside the following companies:

Company Name	Booth No.:
Edko Films Ltd.	Riviera B9-03
J.A. Distribution (HK) Ltd.	Riviera B9-02
Mandarin Films Distribution Co. Ltd.	Riviera C10-02
Mei Ah Entertainment Group	Riviera C10-03
Universe Films Distribution Co. Ltd.	Riviera B9-01
Hong Kong Trade Development Council	Riviera C10-01

Updated listing of other Hong Kong companies and screening schedule of Hong Kong films at Cannes will be announced soon. Look out for more details in our upcoming newsletter.

See you at Cannes!

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For previous newsletters, please visit http://www.hkfilmart.com/filmart/newsletter.htm.