Hong Kong movies showcased at 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO) supported the screenings of five Hong Kong movies at the 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival held from July 16 to August 3 in Montreal, Canada. The screenings showcased the vibrancy and creativity of Hong Kong's film industry.
Speaking before the world premiere of "Good Game" on July 27 (Montreal time), the Acting Director of the Toronto ETO, Mr Gavin Yeung, highlighted the efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in supporting the development of Hong Kong's film industry and strengthening Hong Kong's role as a bridge between East and West for international cultural exchanges.
"The HKSAR Government actively finances the production of small-to-medium budget films, provides funding support for the industry professionals to participate in international film festivals, and subsidises training programmes to nurture young directors and film talent," said Mr Yeung.
He added that Hong Kong's film industry has been globally recognised. "Hong Kong boasts a rich pool of creative talent and is one of Asia's leading filmmaking hubs. Over the past decade, our films and filmmakers have received numerous prestigious international awards," he noted.
Also present at the screening was the writer and actor of "Good Game", Ken Law, who introduced the film before the screening and engaged with the audience during a post-screening Q&A session.
The other Hong Kong films featured at the Festival are: "Stuntman", "A Chinese Ghost Story III", "The Battle Wizard" and "Bullet in the Head".
Hong Kong movies showcased at 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong movies showcased at 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Buildings Department reminds industry to comply with new sampling and testing mechanism for scaffold nets
The Buildings Department (BD) today (January 28) held a seminar to remind the industry to comply with the requirements of the new sampling and testing mechanism for scaffold nets, as well as the fire safety measures that must be followed during building repair works. The BD will continue to inspect buildings undergoing major repairs, demand immediate rectification of non-compliance and pursue punitive action accordingly.
Following the promulgation of Practice Note for Registered Contractors 85 (PNRC 85) in December last year, which stipulates the new sampling testing mechanism for scaffold nets on external walls, the BD has been gradually receiving test reports and notifications of completion of scaffolding from registered contractors (including but not limited to registered contractors who procured scaffold nets through the Construction Industry Council's collective bulk procurement). To help the industry further enhance its understanding of, and compliance with, the new mechanism, the BD held a seminar this afternoon at CIC-Zero Carbon Park in Kowloon Bay.
A spokesman for the BD said, "About 650 contractors and subcontractors of the scaffolding industry participate in the seminar in person and online. The BD takes this opportunity to brief the industry again about the new arrangements detailed in PNRC 85 and reminds the industry to strictly adhere to the testing and installation requirements set out therein. These include taking samples of scaffold nets and obtaining test reports meeting the recognised fire retardant performance standards prior to the installation of scaffold nets for carrying out of relevant works on existing buildings."
The BD reiterated that it will vigilantly enforce the mechanism and has already launched inspections and site audits. If contractors have installed the scaffold nets without complying with the testing requirements set out in PNRC 85, or if the test results of on-site samples collected by the BD fail to meet the recognised fire retardant performance standards, the BD will order immediate cessation of works and removal of non-compliant scaffold nets under the Buildings Ordinance (BO). Reinstallation of the scaffold nets will only be permitted when test reports meeting the recognised fire retardant performance standards in accordance with PNRC 85 have been obtained. Moreover, the BD will follow up on non-compliance cases seriously, including taking appropriate punitive action.
During the seminar, the BD also reminded the industry that when carrying out building repair works, it is essential to observe and comply with the fire safety measures required by the BD and other relevant departments, such as the Fire Services Department and the Labour Department. These include maintaining fire barriers in good condition, storing combustible materials properly to avoid accumulation, and ensuring that combustible materials (such as foam boards) are not installed on external walls or windows, as these may lead to the spread of fire. Alternative measures for ensuring adequate standard of fire safety should be provided if any means of escape or fire barriers (including fire doors or fixed lights on escape staircases and protected lobbies) have to be temporarily removed/blocked.
"To ensure that construction methods do not pose fire safety risks to residents or the public, the BD has launched a special inspection operation of buildings undergoing major repairs since late last year. The inspections focus on whether fire barriers (including fire doors and fixed lights) have been removed; and whether combustible materials (such as foam boards) have been used to cover windows. As at yesterday (January 27), the BD had inspected 322 buildings and found that 13 of them had failed to comply with the relevant fire safety measures. The BD had informed the relevant registered building professionals and contractors on the spot and issued them with warning letters requiring rectification in seven days. Among them, two cases had failed to make rectification by the deadline, and two cease works orders had been issued. Depending on the situation, the BD may also consider instigating prosecution and/or disciplinary action under the BO, or referring the cases to the relevant law enforcement department for appropriate action," the spokesman continued.
Buildings Department reminds industry to comply with new sampling and testing mechanism for scaffold nets Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Buildings Department reminds industry to comply with new sampling and testing mechanism for scaffold nets Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
