Hong Kong Film Delegation Shines at Shanghai International Film Festival, Showcasing Emerging Talent and Cinematic Innovation

Hong Kong film industry participates in Shanghai International Film Festival to showcase emerging talents

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led an industry delegation to participate in the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). By participating in major film festivals in the Chinese Mainland and organising Hong Kong film screening events, the promotion aimed to enhance the exposure of Hong Kong films and filmmakers in the Chinese Mainland and showcase the latest works of the Hong Kong cinema to a broad audience.

The delegation included the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai; Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries and Secretary-General of the FDC, Mr Gary Mak; the Chairman of FDC, Dr Wilfred Wong; producer Derek Yee, director Keane Wong and actor Stephen Fung of the film "Afterpiece"; director Philip Yung and actor Sean Lau of the film "Papa"; along with a cohort of new-generation directors and actors, collectively demonstrating the robustness and the thriving power of the new blood of the Hong Kong film industry.

Film productions by Hong Kong's emerging filmmakers are attracting significant attention at this year's SIFF. "Afterpiece", funded by the Directors' Succession Scheme under the Film Development Fund (FDF), was selected as the opening film. Furthermore, director Mak Tin-shu was nominated for the Asian New Talent of the Golden Goblet Awards with the film "Dog Day Evening", financed by the Film Production Financing Scheme (Relaxation Plan) (FPRP) under the FDF.

CCIDA and the FDC organised the "Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema" (Making Waves) screening programme during the SIFF, featuring six films directed by emerging Hong Kong directors, including "Afterpiece", "Dog Day Evening", "Bird of Paradise" (a winning film project in the higher education institutiongroup of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative), "Papa" (a film project financed by FPRP), "The Snowball on a Sunny Day" and "Unidentified Murder". The programme aimed to highlight to audiences the diverse charms of Hong Kong cinema through these films.

CCIDA and the FDC hosted "Hong Kong Cinema: A Legacy in Succession" at the SIFFORUM, introducing the different film production financing and funding schemes under the FDF, while inviting Hong Kong veteran and emerging directors for a cross-generational dialogue and in-depth exchange on the development and innovation of the film industry.

In addition, Miss Lai, Mr Mak and Dr Wong met with the Executive Deputy Director-General of the China Film Administration, Mr Mao Yu, and representatives of international film and cultural institutions including Toronto International Film Festival and British Council, to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and overseas film industries. CCIDA and the FDC have long been committed to driving the development and innovation of the Hong Kong film industry, and will continue to provide steadfast support for film production and talent nurturing through various funding schemes, empowering emerging filmmakers to step onto and excel on broader stages.

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led an industry delegation to participate in the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival. Photo shows Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai (second right); Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries and the Secretary-General of the FDC, Mr Gary Mak (second left) and the Chairman of the FDC, Dr Wilfred Wong (third left), meeting with the Executive Deputy Director-General of the China Film Administration, Mr Mao Yu (third right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) hosted "Hong Kong Cinema: A Legacy in Succession" at the SIFFORUM, introducing the different film production financing and funding schemes under the FDF, while inviting Hong Kong veteran and emerging directors for a cross-generational dialogue and in-depth exchange on the development and innovation of the film industry. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Hong Kong Film Development Council organised the "Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema" screening programme during the Shanghai International Film Festival, featuring six films directed by emerging Hong Kong directors. Photo shows the creative team of one of the films featured, "Bird of Paradise" (a winning film project in the higher education institution group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film productions by Hong Kong's emerging filmmakers are attracting significant attention at this year's Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). "Afterpiece", funded by the Directors' Succession Scheme under the Film Development Fund, was selected as the opening film. Photo shows "Afterpiece" held its world premiere at the SIFF with an overwhelming response. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film productions by Hong Kong's emerging filmmakers are attracting significant attention at this year's Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). Director Mak Tin-shu was nominated for the Asian New Talent of the Golden Goblet Awards with the film, financed by the Film Production Financing Scheme (Relaxation Plan) under the Film Development Fund. Photo shows "Dog Day Evening" held its world premiere at the SIFF, after which the director and actors attended a post-screening sharing session to engage with audiences in person. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led an industry delegation to participate in the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). Photo shows Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai (first left); the Chairman of the FDC, Dr Wilfred Wong (centre) and Hong Kong filmmakers, attending the opening ceremony of the SIFF. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude

To deepen young people's understanding of national strategies and the international landscape, the Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps (IDYL) organised a series of summer exchange tours under the theme of "IDYL Belt and Road Exploration Tours", including the Guangxi Tour to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Singapore and Malaysia Tour to Singapore and Malaysia, engaging a total of 60 IDYL members as scheduled. Through a diverse range of activities, the tours aimed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI) as well as the culture and development of the relevant countries or regions, enabling young people to tell good stories of Hong Kong from their perspectives.

Led by the Deputy Director of Immigration (Enforcement, Systems and Management), Mr Choi Chi-yuen, and Deputy Commissioner of the IDYL Advisory Committee Mr Chu Man-yin, members of the Guangxi Tour visited cities such as Nanning, Fangchenggang and Chongzuo between July 20 and 26 to conduct on-site studies of the country's efforts to drive forward the New Western Land-Sea Corridor, which was at the forefront of its collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. They also went to visit the China-Vietnam border, namely the Dongzhong, Dongxing and Youyiguan control points, to gain an in-depth understanding of immigration operations and trade developments along the China-Vietnam border, thereby better understanding the country's strategic layout in regional connectivity.

In addition, tour members visited the Guangxi Silver Wing Power Technology Company Limited to learn about the country's development of high-tech industries, and conducted exchanges with local young people at the Nanning Vocational and Technical University. They experienced Zhuang culture and jointly explored the way of passing on traditions while pioneering the future.

The six-day, five-night Singapore and Malaysia Tour was also held from August 5 to 10. Travelling to various cities in Singapore and Malaysia, tour members visited Singapore's Changi Airport and Tuas Checkpoint to obtain insights into the air and land immigration control facilities and policies of the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, and went to local enterprises to experience firsthand the economic opportunities brought by the B&RI.

During the journey, tour members also paid a visit to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Malaysia to understand overseas consular protection work and the country's pursuit of promoting the B&RI. They also went to the Xiamen University Malaysia to find out how the Chinese Mainland's higher education integrates into the B&RI, and exchanged views with local young people and overseas Chinese. The itinerary also included visits to landmarks such as the National Museum of Singapore, the Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Ancestral Hall and the Petronas Twin Towers, allowing tour members to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Both exchange tours under this year's IDYL Belt and Road Exploration Tours were partially funded by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Youth Development Commission. The IDYL will continue to organise exchange programmes of various themes to deepen young people's understanding of national affairs, facilitate their integration into the overall national development, and broaden their international horizons. Young people will be encouraged to capitalise on Hong Kong's unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland while being closely connected to the world, and proactively tell the world good stories of China and Hong Kong with their experiences and insights gained during the journeys.

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps' Belt and Road summer exchange tours conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases