Press Release - October 4, 2004

A series of Hong Kong’s recent best film productions was unveiled today (October 4) at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto to mark the opening of the Hong Kong Film Festival (HKFF) organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) and the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto.

This followed the successful “Spotlight on Hong Kong” staged between September 24 and October 2 as the highlight of this year’s Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF).

Among the eight films recently directed by talented Hong Kong directors, Johnnie To’s award-winning “Running on Karma” was the opening film of the festival this evening. It was the CIFF Hong Kong Gala film screened last Saturday and met with widespread acclaims in Calgary.

Organized with the full support of the ROM, the HKFF aims to promote Hong Kong films and film talents, as well as to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the Canadian community about the works of Hong Kong’s film professionals.

Addressing the HKFF opening ceremony, the HKETO Director, Mr Bassanio So, said the film festival was also designed to promote the business opportunities available for Canada-Hong Kong co-productions, capitalizing on Hong Kong’s advantages under the “Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement” (CEPA) with Hong Kong as a fast track to the China market.

“Hong Kong film industry and its talented film professionals have made their way to the international film arena, contributing much to the vibrancy and versatility of the industry. They are ever ready to partner with their Canadian counterparts on any co-production initiatives,’ he said.

Joining Mr So at the HKFF Opening at ROM were Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Dr. Marie Bountrogianni; Member of Provincial Parliament, and Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mr Tony Wong; Councillor Norm Kelly of City of Toronto and Councillor Alex Chiu of Town of Markham, and the Director of “The Floating Landscape”, Ms Carol Lai, who specially flew from Hong Kong to officiate at the opening ceremony.

The HKFF, which is being held from October 2 to October 8, features “Running on Karma” by Johnnie To as the Opening Film. Other films of the HKFF include: “The Floating Landscape” by Carol Lai, “Magic Kitchen” by Lee Chi-ngai, “Golden Chicken 2” by Samson Chiu, “Lost in Time” by Derek Yee , “Heroic Duo” by Benny Chan, “Elixir of Love” by Riley Yip and “20,30,40” by Sylvia Chang.

As part of the HKFF, a seminar on Hong Kong-Canada co-production will be held tomorrow (October 5) at 11:00 am at ROM to examine how Canadian film makers and movie companies can make use of Hong Kong to explore the vast Asian market, especially that in China.

The HKETO Director, Bassanio So, will join other panel speakers from Goodmans LLP and Hong Kong Trade Development Council to examine the advantages of co-production with Hong Kong; the practical issues pertaining to such co-productions; and the strengths of Hong Kong as a film marketing and distribution centre.

Director Carol Lai will also share with the audience her professional views on Hong Kong-Canada and Hong Kong-China co-productions. She will also provide a practical guide for the Canadian film professionals to venture into the China market.

Tickets of the HKFF are available at the ROM Box Office and the CCC at $6.50 each for adults and $5.00 each for seniors, students, ROM members and group of 10 or more. Proceeds of the event will be donated to CCC for its Phase II Development.

The Hong Kong Film Festival is supported by Tour East (Holiday) as special sponsor, and Pacific Insurance Brokers Inc., RBC Financial Group, Living Realty Inc. and Downtown FineCars Group as silver screen sponsors. Fairchild Media Group, Ming Pao and World Journal support the film festival as media sponsors.

It is organized with the courtesy of Long Shong Group, Applause Pictures Ltd., Universe Entertainment Ltd & Sil-Metropole Organization Ltd, Filmko Film Distribution (HK) Ltd., and Columbia Pictures Film Productions & Columbia Tristar Film Distribution International.


For more information, please contact: John Tam, Chief Information Officer of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office at: (416) 924-5544 or email: [email protected] or Elison Chu, Senior Information Office, [email protected].

Photo shows HKETO Director, Mr Bassanio So (4th from right) and Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Dr. Marie Bountrogianni (5th from right), with other officiating guests and sponsors at the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Film Festival this (October 4) evening at the Royal Ontario Museum.

Click here to download a Chinese version of this press release in PDF format.