About 200 investors, distributors, producers and filmmakers from
Asia's major Chinese-language film markets - the Mainland, Hong
Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia - gathered in Hong Kong
recently for the first Hong Kong Film New Action - Business
Forums and Promotional Sessions.
Their purpose in meeting was to discuss co-production
possibilities and developing business by integrating their
markets, talents and financing.
At the opening ceremony, Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and
Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, said: "The Hong Kong SAR
Government is actively promoting the creative industries and the
film sector is an important pillar. We fully support the
development of our film industry and attach great importance to
nurturing young talent."
Mrs Lau pointed out that the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer
Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) in 2003 has broadened
the horizon for film development. "Our filmmakers have since
acquired rich experience in collaborating with the Mainland on
joint productions. Film practitioners from all over the world
are most welcome to capitalize on the experience of Hong Kong
and the benefits of CEPA in opening up the film market of the
Mainland," Mrs. Lau said.
The event was organized by the Hong Kong Film Development
Council (HKFDC), which set up promotional booths for more than
30 of Hong Kong's new generation of film directors to help them
foster financing partnerships with people from different
markets.
Chairman of the HKFDC, Mr Jack So, said that Chinese-language
films are well worth developing, pointing out that, "box-office
records for these films are on the increase and the number of
screens is increasing by 1.5 per day." |
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