Making Waves Film Program Showcases Hong Kong Cinema in Seoul with Emerging Filmmakers and Industry Exchanges

2025-10-18 18:50 Last Updated At：18:58

"Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema" showcases unique charm of Hong Kong films in Seoul

The fourth edition of "Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema" (Making Waves) touring film programme, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, was launched in Seoul, Korea, yesterday (October 17) and will run until October 20. As part of Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul, the programme features screenings of productions by emerging Hong Kong filmmakers, restored versions of Hong Kong classics and a series of industry exchange activities to reflect the city's diverse cinematic representations to Korean filmmakers and audiences, thereby fostering cultural exchanges between the two places.

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"Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema" showcases unique charm of Hong Kong films in Seoul Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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"Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema" showcases unique charm of Hong Kong films in Seoul Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speaking at the opening reception on October 17, the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, expressed her gratitude to the Korean film industry and audiences for their support of Hong Kong film. She said, "Film is a universal language that plays a vital role in strengthening cultural exchanges. In the past few years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has supported the screening of Hong Kong films in Korea for several times. "Montages of a Modern Motherhood" and "Measure in Love" (funded by the Film Development Fund (FDF)) were selected for the Busan International Film Festival last year and this year respectively. We are delighted to see that Hong Kong films are gaining increasing recognition at film festivals in Korea and beyond." Miss Lai added that the films selected for Making Waves combine the old and new with multiple themes from Hong Kong cinema, showcasing the captivating cityscapes and rich and nuanced culture of Hong Kong. She hoped that the film choices will resonate deeply with audiences.

The film list for Making Waves includes "Last Song For You", as well as "My First of May", "The Last Dance", "Papa", "Stuntman", "Peg O' My Heart", "Four Trails", "Mad Fate", and restored classics "A Moment of Romance" and "Shanghai Blues". Over half of the 10 titles were directed by emerging filmmakers. Four of the 10 were supported by the FDF, namely, "Last Song for You", "Papa", "Stuntman" and "Peg O' My Heart". With support from the FDF, the CCIDA works hand in hand with the industry to nurture local film talent and drive innovation in Hong Kong's filmmaking.

Making Waves also sponsors the in-person participation of emerging Hong Kong directors and actors. The Director of the opening film, "Last Song for You", Jill Leung, and actor Natalie Hsu attended a sharing session after the screening to engage with some 300 Korean filmmakers and audiences. The Director of "My First of May", James Hung; actor of "Papa" Dylan So; Co-directors of "Stuntman" Albert Leung and Herbert Leung; and the Director of "Four Trails", Robin Lee, will all have interaction sessions with audiences that will take place after screenings of their respective films.

Making Waves is sponsored by the CCIDA and presented by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society. Since its launch in 2022, the programme has visited 24 cities worldwide, bringing Hong Kong's unique cinematic representations to film practitioners and audiences in those places. By showcasing productions of new-generation Hong Kong filmmakers, the programme enhances their exposure to the international market, forging more business opportunities for Hong Kong's film industry.

The CCIDA also held discussions in Korea with several Korean cultural and creative industry organisations, including the Korea Creative Content Agency, the Busan International Film Festival, the Producers Guild of Korea, and the Korean Film Archive, to explore future collaboration opportunities.

Six illegal workers and an employer arrested in Hong Kong's anti-illegal worker operation Contribute.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Making Waves Film Program Showcases Hong Kong Cinema in Seoul with Emerging Filmmakers and Industry Exchanges

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