Hong Kong Film Gala in Singapore Showcases Diverse Productions and Promotes Cultural Exchange

Singapore ETO supports Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Singapore to promote Hong Kong cinema

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) is continuing its support for the annual Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation (the Gala Presentation) in Singapore, which this year is featuring six recent Hong Kong productions across a diverse range of genres, from animation and drama to documentary and family entertainment. The event is organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy and is co-organised with the Singapore Film Society, with financial support from the Film Development Fund (FDF), the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), and the Singapore ETO.

The Gala Presentation opened this evening (December 18) with the film "Another World", a Hong Kong-produced animated feature supported by the Film Production Financing Scheme under the FDF. In "Another World", the spirit guide Gudo, who shepherds lost souls to their reincarnation, encounters Yuri, a young girl cursed by an obsession. To save Yuri from uncontrollable rage and prevent her curse from destroying the world, Gudo embarks on a perilous thousand-year journey. Director Tommy Ng and Producer Chan Gin-kai attended the post-screening session to share insights on the production. Earlier this afternoon they also joined an exchange session at LASALLE College of the Arts titled "Together We Dare to Animate the Future", engaging local students and industry practitioners.

Speaking at the pre-screening reception, the Director of the Singapore ETO, Mr Owin Fung, said, "To further strengthen Hong Kong films' international presence, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has introduced the Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme under the FDF. The Scheme provides up to HK$9 million per eligible co-production between Hong Kong filmmakers and their Asian or European partners, enabling Hong Kong films to go global and fostering deeper cultural exchanges and mutual learning."

Mr Fung added, "Over the past three years, films funded by CCIDA through the FDF have contributed nearly 30 per cent of Hong Kong's total box-office receipts - a testament to the effectiveness of government support. As outlined in 'The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address', CCIDA will continue to enhance publicity, exchanges, and business-matching efforts in both the Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, helping Hong Kong filmmakers broaden their international reach."

Other films featured in the Gala Presentation include "Someone Like Me", "Golden Boy", "Good Game", "Paws Land", and "My Life as McDull". Director Tam Wai-ching of "Someone Like Me" and actor Rosa Maria Velasco of "Golden Boy" will meet audiences in post-screening sharing sessions for their respective films. In addition, after the screening of the "Paws Land", an online conversation will be arranged for audiences and director Au Cheuk-man.

The Gala Presentation runs until December 21. For programme details, please visit www.afa-academy.com.

Singapore ETO supports Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Singapore to promote Hong Kong cinema Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Singapore ETO supports Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Singapore to promote Hong Kong cinema Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Singapore ETO supports Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Singapore to promote Hong Kong cinema Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Singapore ETO supports Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Singapore to promote Hong Kong cinema Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Remarks by DCS at media session (with photo/video)

The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, met the media this afternoon (December 18) on the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Following are the remarks at the question-and-answer session:

Reporter: Why did the Government decide to hand out more money to affected homeowners and tenants? Secondly, how likely is the annual rent subsidy for $150,000 to be extended after two years?

Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration: As we have explained in the opening remarks, while the Government has been trying to provide some emergency accommodation for the affected victims, including both landlords and tenants, we have (learned), through the feedback of our social workers assigned to look after individual households and also through district feedback, that many residents actually wanted to have another option of a rental subsidy to be given to them, so that they can, from the private market, rent suitable accommodation, which can fit into their daily routines, such as going to work, going to school, and going to see doctors. Also, because many residents have lived in Tai Po for a long time, they have their social network there. If they stay in the transitional housing elsewhere in Hong Kong, they have this problem of social dislocation. So we decided that - and also we have surveyed the stock of our public housing accommodation in Tai Po - actually we don't have any more such units left. So we think a sensible, practicable and effective solution is really to offer them this rental subsidy, which we think is not an excessive demand; it is reasonable.

Your second question is whether the rental subsidy will end after two years. I think Secretary Mak has already said that we think a normal tenancy lasts for about two years. We believe, within these two years, the final solution, or solutions, for the long-term housing and accommodation needs of the victims will already be offered and introduced. Of course, when the final offers have come out, we have to ascertain the response of the residents. We have two years to consider whether, if necessary, this rental subsidy may continue, but the overarching principle is that we can assure the victims that our solutions will be reasonable and no one will be left homeless - I mean, for the landlords - because of the lack of support from the Government.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Remarks by DCS at media session (with photo/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases