Hong Kong Film Delegation Shines at 27th Far East Film Festival in Italy.

2025-05-01 13:39 Last Updated At：13:48

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and Hong Kong Film Development Council lead industry delegation to participate in Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led an industry delegation to participate in the 27th Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine, Italy. Screenings of Hong Kong films and "Hong Kong Night" networking reception were held during the FEFF to promote Hong Kong films, increase overseas exposure for emerging Hong Kong film talents, build their international connections, and expand the global market for Hong Kong films. Members of the delegation included the Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries and Secretary-General of the Film Development Council, Mr Gary Mak, renowned director Tsui Hark, director and actress Sylvia Chang, directors Philip Yung, Anthony Pun, Oliver Chan, Jill Leung, as well as actors Jo Koo, Hedwig Tam, Natalie Hsu and Dylan So. The strong lineup showcased to the international film community the strength and new blood of the Hong Kong film industry.

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Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and Hong Kong Film Development Council lead industry delegation to participate in Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and Hong Kong Film Development Council lead industry delegation to participate in Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Being the largest Asian film festival in Europe, the FEFF in Udine held from April 24 to May 2 (Udine time) showcased the latest film productions and creative teams from Asia and received significant regional and international interest from the film industry, cultural sector and media. During the festival, the CCIDA and the FDC presented screening events "Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema" to showcase 10 Hong Kong films to industry professionals and audiences from all over the world. The films include "Four Trails", "The Last Dance" (Extended Version), "The Prosecutor" and restored prints of classic films "Shanghai Blues", "Mr Vampire" and "Green Snake". Director Tsui Hark and actress Sylvia Chang of "Shanghai Blues", director Oliver Chan and actress Hedwig Tam of "Montages of a Modern Motherhood", director Anthony Pun of "Cesium Fallout", director Jill Leung and actress Natalie Hsu of "Last Song for You" and director Philip Yung and actors Jo Koo and Dylan So of "Papa" participated in the meet-and-greet sessions of the respective films and the FEFF Talks.

The "Hong Kong Night" networking reception held last night (April 30, Udine time), assisted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, brought together around 200 representatives from the film, cultural sector, government, business sector and media, promoting exchanges and collaborations with international filmmakers. Mr Mak in his welcoming remarks extended congratulations to Tsui Hark and Sylvia Chang on receiving the Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement of the 27th Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy and was proud of the two important filmmakers of the Chinese film industry receiving the international honour. He added that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is committed to fostering the development of Hong Kong's film industry. The Film Development Fund (FDF) has supported over 120 films which involved more than 110 new directors and producers. The Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme under the FDF also supports film projects co-produced by filmmakers from Hong Kong and European/Asian countries to produce films with strong Hong Kong, European and Asian cultures, enabling Hong Kong films to go global and further strengthening Hong Kong's role as East-meets-West Centre for international cultural exchange.

In addition, the CCIDA and the FDC collaborated with the FEFF's programme FOCUS ASIA and organised HONG KONG LAB@FOCUS ASIA from April 29 to 30 (Udine time), inviting international film industry professionals and five potential Hong Kong producers and directors to share their experiences in co-production, cross-boundary financing and venture capital, as well as future strategies. Speakers include director Lawrence Kan of "In Broad Daylight", director Steve Yuen of "The Moon Thieves", producer Wong Hoi of "The Lyricist Wannabe", director Eric Tsang of "Hong Kong Family" and the Chairman of Hong Kong Movie Production Executives Association, Mr Johnny Wang. The CCIDA arranged a business matching session with an aim to foster project development between filmmakers from Hong Kong and various regions. Through collaborating with Italian film organisation, Cinecitta, the business matching session also connected producers from Hong Kong and Italy for direct liaison to explore future collaborations and film development opportunities.

Hong Kong Customs Seizes 29kg of Drugs, Arrests Two Passengers at Airport

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (May 26) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 11 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 18kg of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about $8.85 million. Two men were arrested.

The first case involved a 62-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 11kg of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market of about $2 million, inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The second case involved a 58-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Paris, France, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market of about $6.85 million, inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 27). For the second case, an investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 Film Delegation Shines at 27th Far East Film Festival in Italy.

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