Hong Kong Entertainment Expo 2026 Launches with Major International Events and Celebrations

Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 Kick-off Ceremony held today

The kick-off ceremony of the Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 was held today (March 17) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), bringing together an array of major international entertainment events. TheChief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (HKFDC), Dr Wilfred Wong, and representatives of the organisers of the events under the Expo officiated at the kick-off ceremony. Funded by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) and the Film Development Fund (FDF), the Expo is spearheaded by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

As one of Asia's most significant mega events in the entertainment industry, the five-week Expo encompasses events spanning various fields of film, television, music and digital entertainment, including exhibitions, a film festival, award ceremonies, summits and a financial forum. The Expo presents a rich and diverse programme for industry professionals and the public, attracting representatives from different countries and regions. The Expo also celebrates two major milestones this year - the 30th anniversary of the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) and the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

To further promote the Hong Kong film industry and facilitate international networking for Hong Kong filmmakers, CCIDA and the HKFDC are organising different events during FILMART. Miss Law attended one of the flagship events, the Hong Kong Night networking reception at the HKCEC this evening, which drew filmmakers and industry representatives from around the world, underscoring Hong Kong's position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

Another project during FILMART, Producers Connect, is also being organised to foster exchanges between global and local producers to explore cross-regional collaborations and co-productions; and the debut "AI Academy, AI Hub" thematic workshops are being launched with an aim to assist the industry in seizing new opportunities presented by artificial intelligence for the long-term development of the film industry.

As in previous editions, this year's FILMART has exhibitors coming from a wide range of countries and regions, including provinces and cities on the Chinese Mainland, as well as major film organisations from overseas and leading film companies in Hong Kong. The Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, and Dr Wong attended the opening ceremony of the Guangdong Pavilion this afternoon, demonstrating support for promoting deeper co-operation in the film and television industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The series of Hong Kong Entertainment Expo 2026 events will run until April 19. For more information onthe Expo, please visit eexpohk.hktdc.com/en/.

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, speaks at the Hong Kong Night @ FILMART 2026 today (March 17). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

This year's Hong Kong International Film & TV Market has exhibitors coming from a wide range of countries and regions, including provinces and cities in Chinese Mainland, as well as major film organisations from overseas and leading film companies in Hong Kong. Photo shows the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau (third left); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Dr Wilfred Wong (first right), attending the opening ceremony of the Guangdong Pavilion this afternoon (March 17). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The kick-off ceremony of the Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 was held today (March 17) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together an array of major international entertainment events. Photo shows the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki (centre); the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law (third left); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Dr Wilfred Wong (fourth right), and representatives of the organisers of the events under the Expo attending the joint celebration ceremony of the 30th anniversary of Hong Kong International Film & TV Market and the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong International Film Festival. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The kick-off ceremony of the Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 was held today (March 17) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together an array of major international entertainment events. Photo shows the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki (front row, centre); the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law (front row, fifth left); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Dr Wilfred Wong (front row, fifth right), and representatives of the organisers of the events under the Expo officiating at the kick-off ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Offers of 2026-27 civil service pay adjustment

The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) made pay offers to the staff side of the four civil service central consultative councils today (June 9), under which the pay for civil servants in the upper, middle and lower salary bands and the directorate will be increased at the same rate of 2 per cent for 2026-27, effective retrospectively from April 1, 2026.

"The Hong Kong economy has recorded substantial growth over the past year alongside a mild rise in living expenses and an overall upward pay trend in the market. The fiscal position of the Government has improved in 2025-26. That said, the Government needs to be prudent in managing public finances to cater for future developments as well as unexpected needs arising from changes in the geopolitical situation. After holistically considering and balancing all relevant factors, including the economic outlook, the increase in the cost of living in the past year, the Government's overall fiscal position and the principle of prudent financial management, the positive net pay trend indicators in every salary band, the claims from the staff side and civil service morale, the Chief Executive in Council (CE in Council) made the offers to increase the pay at the same rate of 2 per cent across the board,"a CSB spokesman said.

"After the CE in Council considers the response from the staff side on the pay offers and makes a decision on the 2026-27 civil service pay adjustment, the Government will submit the pay adjustment proposal to the Legislative Council Finance Committee for consideration as soon as possible,"the spokesman added.

Source: AI-found images