Hong Kong Film Delegation Showcases Talent at 76th Berlin International Film Festival and Celebrates Michelle Yeoh's Achievement

CCIDA and Hong Kong Film Development Council lead industry delegation to participate in 76th Berlin International Film Festival in Germany

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led an industry delegation to participate in the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) in Germany. A series of exchange activities themed "Hong Kong Cinema @ Berlin 2026" was held to promote Hong Kong cinema internationally and support emerging Hong Kong filmmakers in exploring overseas markets. The delegation also attended the Opening Ceremony of Berlinale at which veteran actress Michelle Yeoh was presented with a Berlinale life achievement award.

The Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries and Secretary-General of the FDC, Mr Gary Mak, attended the Opening Ceremony of Berlinale on February 12 (Berlin time), where Yeoh received the Honorary Golden Bear. He conveyed congratulations and gratitude from the CSTB to Yeoh, in appreciation of her contributions to the Hong Kong and global film industry.

CCIDA and the FDC organised a Hong Kong Night networking reception on February 13 (Berlin time) as a key event during the festival, which attracted over 200 filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world. The event aimed at helping Hong Kong filmmakers to expand their international network. Speaking at the event, Mr Mak remarked that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the FDC have actively supported the development of the Hong Kong film industry. By participating in international film festivals, Hong Kong filmmakers with promising potential are provided with opportunities to showcase their work and exchange ideas with global filmmakers.

To nurture new film talent, four emerging Hong Kong filmmakers were included in the delegation, including producer of "The Trough" Lorraine Ho; coproducer of "Shambhala", which was selected for the main competition of the 74th Berlinale, Fanny Chong; director and scriptwriter of "Smashing Frank" Trevor Choi; and Nicole Chu, who was selected for the 2026 Berlinale Talents from more than 3 000 applicants worldwide. CCIDA sponsored Ho, Chong and Choi to participate in the Berlinale Co-Production Market, and also invited FDC member Mr Frederick Tsui as a delegate to facilitate more collaborations and exchanges between the emerging filmmakers and international counterparts. CCIDA aims to make good use of this international platform at Berlinale and assist Hong Kong filmmakers in promoting new cross-regional projects.

During the festival, CCIDA members also met with representatives from various international film institutions and festivals, including the French National Centre of Cinema, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Udine Far East Film Festival and Bridging Visions, to continue expanding global opportunities for the Hong Kong film industry.

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led an industry delegation to participate in the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) in Germany and organised a Hong Kong Night networking reception on February 13 (Berlin time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led an industry delegation to participate in the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) in Germany. Photo shows the Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries and Secretary-General of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Mr Gary Mak (second right), meeting with representatives from the French National Centre of Cinema on February 13 (Berlin time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led an industry delegation to participate in the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) in Germany. Photo shows the Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries and Secretary-General of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Mr Gary Mak (centre); the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (fourth right) and other delegation members attending the Hong Kong Night networking reception on February 13 (Berlin time). Hong Kong director Ray Yeung (third left) who was invited by the festival to serve on the jury of Berlinale Teddy Award this edition also attended. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

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 to 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, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

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 Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases