Hong kong-europe-asian film collaboration funding scheme now open for applications: up to $9 million grant available for co-produced films promoting cultural exchange
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Film Development Council:
The Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme (HKEA Scheme) under the Film Development Fund (FDF) is open for application from today (June 28) to November 22.
Announced in "The Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address", the HKEA Scheme aims to subsidise film projects co-produced by filmmakers from European and Asian countries to produce films featuring Hong Kong, European and Asian cultures. This would help promising Hong Kong filmmakers broaden their regional cultural horizons, achieve in-depth exchanges and learning thereby enabling Hong Kong films to go global.
The Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), Dr Wilfred Wong, said, "The Hong Kong-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme has been expanded to the HKEA Scheme. We hope that the HKEA Scheme can help Hong Kong filmmakers produce more films with an international perspective and expand into overseas markets."
The HKEA Scheme is the second phase of the co-production funding scheme after the launch of the Hong Kong-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme. A maximum of six films will be subsidised under the HKEA Scheme. Each approved film project will receive a grant of up to $9 million.
Under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency is committed to supporting the sustainable development of the film industry through the FDC and FDF. A $1.4 billion injection has been made into the FDF as announced in the 2024-25 Budget.
Details of the HKEA Scheme and the relevant application form are available on the website of the FDC (www.fdc.gov.hk/en/eafcfs).
Hong Kong Customs combats sale of suspected infringing jewellery at fair booths
Hong Kong Customs today (September 20) conducted an enforcement operation at the JGW September (Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong September) being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, seizing about 27 items of suspected infringing jewellery with a total estimated market value of about $160,000.
Customs received information alleging that infringing jewellery were displayed for sale at some booths at the JGW September which lasted for five consecutive days starting from September 16.
After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs officers today seized 24 items of suspected infringing jewellery from a booth. Customs officers also conducted premises search at an associated company located at Hung Hom, further seizing three items of suspected infringing jewellery.
During the operation, one man and one woman, aged between 47 and 65, were arrested for being suspected of contravening the Copyright Ordinance. One of them is the person-in-charge and one of them is a staff member. An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs attaches great importance to combating counterfeiting and infringing activities and will deploy officers to different exhibitions to conduct inspections from time to time. Customs will contact the relevant trademark or copyright owners immediately to confirm the authenticity of the goods when suspected counterfeit or infringing goods are found. The department will also take enforcement action after investigations and with the assistance of the trademark or copyright owners.
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action. Booth exhibitors are reminded to respect intellectual property rights and not to sell counterfeit and infringing goods.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Under the Copyright Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale an infringing copy of a copyright work commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 for each piece of infringing goods and imprisonment for four years.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs combats sale of suspected infringing jewellery at fair booths Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
