Hong Kong Film Delegation Promotes Cinema at 38th Tokyo International Film Festival with Networking and Exchange Events.

2025-10-31 11:56 Last Updated At：12:08

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and Hong Kong Film Development Council lead industry delegation to participate in 38th Tokyo International Film Festival

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led an industry delegation to participate in the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). During the Festival, a series of "Hong Kong Cinema@Tokyo 2025" exchange activities was held to promote Hong Kong films to the international community and explore overseas markets for Hong Kong animation films and emerging filmmakers. Members of the delegation included the Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries and Secretary-General of the FDC, Mr Gary Mak; the Chairman of the FDC, Dr Wilfred Wong; director Soi Cheang; director of "Someone Like Me", Tam Wai-ching; actors Chan Ka-lok and Fish Liew, as well as animation filmmakers Raman Hui, Polly Yeung and Samuel Choy.

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Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and Hong Kong Film Development Council lead industry delegation to participate in 38th Tokyo International Film Festival 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 38th Tokyo International Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Night Networking Reception, organised by CCIDA and the FDC, was held yesterday (October 30), attracting nearly 200 industry representatives and filmmakers from around the world. The event aimed to help Hong Kong filmmakers expand their networks and promote the Hong Kong film industry. Speaking at the reception, Mr Mak said that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has been supporting the development of the Hong Kong film industry. He added that much focus has been put on deepening international exchanges and co-operation in recent years to encourage the industry's participation in renowned global film festivals, foster exchanges and explore business opportunities.

CCIDA and the FDC hosted two public exchange events during the Festival. The first event, "Soi Cheang Masterclass", featured the screening of "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In", which was well received in Japan, followed by exchanges between director Soi Cheang and Japanese audiences. The event attracted an enthusiastic response with over 400 attendees. The second event was a panel discussion featuring Japanese animation master Koji Morimoto as the speaker, joined by well-known director and animator celebrated as the "Father of Shrek", Raman Hui; producer and scriptwriter of animation film "Another World", Polly Yeung; and producer of animation film "The Excreman - On The Road", Samuel Choy. "Another World" and "The Excreman - On The Road" were supported by the Film Production Financing Scheme under the Film Development Fund (FDF). The panel discussion explored ways to transform creativity into globally appealing works and shared successful experiences on funding operations, project development, and promotion strategies.

In addition, Hong Kong film "Someone Like Me", supported by the Film Production Financing Scheme (Relaxation Plan) under the FDF, was selected for the TIFF's "Women's Empowerment" section and held its world premiere during the Festival. Meanwhile, the "Sons of the Neon Night" was nominated for the "Gala Selection" section, with three screenings scheduled during the Festival.

CCIDA also engaged in meetings with overseas film organisations and festival representatives, including the Japan Film Commission and Visual Industry Promotion Organization of Japan, to strengthen international ties and pave the way for future collaborations.

Buildings Department Relaunches Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses

Re-launch of Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses

Following the direction of earlier proposals, the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (April 1) the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs). The reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

"In view of the history and unique circumstances of the NTEHs (commonly known as village houses), the Government launched a one-off administrative reporting scheme in 2012 as a special arrangement. Under the scheme, owners could report to the BD about UBWs that were erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law. The reporting period ended in December 2012. The Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs. The DEVB also pointed out that in response to the views of villagers and Legislative Council members that the reporting period was too short, the Government prepared to re-launch the Reporting Scheme to allow owners who at that time did not report their UBWs to do so," a spokesman for the BD said.

Relevant stakeholders and Legislative Council members generally considered the above proposals practical and feasible, and they welcomed the proposals. The DEVB and the BD have also consulted Heung Yee Kuk on the relevant implementation arrangements.

The re-launched Reporting Scheme will maintain the original criteria, including:

(1) The types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates are the same as the original Reporting Scheme, meaning that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law and were not the First Round Targets (Note) are eligible. Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area of the main building.

(2) Same as the original Reporting Scheme, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.

"The BD will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous. Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets. If any relevant UBWs remain not reported after the application deadline of March 31, 2027, the BD will, after dealing with the First Round Targets, take priority enforcement action against the non-reported UBWs. The BD will formulate enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation," the spokesman added.

To enhance the efficiency of processing applications, reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD's website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. In accordance with the user-pays principle, an administrative fee of $600 is payable for each application. Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.

Details of the re-launched Reporting Scheme are available on the BD's website at https://www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/ubw/UBW-in-new-territories-exempted-houses/index_relaunch_reporting_scheme.html; Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will also use different channels such as distributing leaflets and posters to Rural Committees to enable villagers to know more about the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme.

Owners who had successfully participated in the Reporting Scheme in 2012 are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original Reporting Scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.

Note: The First Round Targets refer to UBWs with higher potential risks and more serious nature, such as village houses of four storeys or more, and enclosed rooftop structures covering more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area.

Hong Kong Film Delegation Promotes Cinema at 38th Tokyo International Film Festival with Networking and Exchange Events.

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