Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation First Ever Hosted in Saudi Arabia, Showcasing Contemporary Hong Kong Cinema to Local Audiences

First ever Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation hosted in Saudi Arabia, bridging two cultures and cinematic worlds

The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation made its historic debut in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, from June 12 to 14, introducing contemporary Hong Kong cinema to local audiences for the first time.

Presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy, with support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (HKETO Dubai), the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, and the Film Development Fund, the inaugural Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Saudi Arabia took place at a leading cinema chain in the Saudi capital. The programme featured four new films from Hong Kong filmmakers, showcasing a diverse range of genres – from action thrillers and suspenseful dramas to deeply compelling human stories.

Nearly 200 guests attended the opening reception to interact with Directors Njo Kui-ying ("Road to Vendetta") and Chou Man-yu ("Behind the Shadows") who traveled to Riyadh to join the landmark occasion. Other distinguished guests included the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr Chang Hua; senior representatives from local government and regulatory bodies, including the Saudi Film Commission and the General Authority for Media Regulation; as well as members of the local business and cultural communities. The festival debut of opening film "Road to Vendetta", also its Middle East premiere, was screened to a full house with enthusiastic response.

To enable better audience understanding about Hong Kong cinema, post-screening sharing sessions were held with Directors Njo and Chou, who discussed the inspirations and creative processes behind their works. Additional films featured in the festival included "Ciao UFO" and "Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert".

Speaking at the opening reception, Director-General of HKETO Dubai, Mr Simon Chan, highlighted Saudi Arabia's remarkable cinematic renaissance and thriving creative industries driven by Vision 2030. He further noted that as the current official representation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in the Middle East region, HKETO Dubai has been actively working to promote diverse exchanges and liaison between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia across multiple sectors, including business, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

"The Government is committed to promoting the development of arts, culture and creative industries, with over $9 billion in total injected into the CreateSmart Initiative and the Film Development Fund. The Government also actively supports the development of our local film industry through funding schemes and industry activities for deepening cultural exchange and expanding markets. We are hopeful that hosting the inaugural Hong Kong film festival in Saudi Arabia will allow more local audiences to experience Hong Kong cinema, and strengthen cultural connections between Hong Kong and Middle East audiences and filmmakers in the industry," Mr Chan said.

HKETO Dubai will continue to support Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries by fostering cross-regional exchanges and creating new opportunities through collaboration with stakeholders in the Middle East region.

The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation made its historic debut in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, from June 12 to 14, introducing contemporary Hong Kong cinema to local audiences for the first time. Photo shows a local audience actively asking questions at the sharing session after the screening of the film “Road to Vendetta”. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation made its historic debut in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, from June 12 to 14, introducing contemporary Hong Kong cinema to local audiences for the first time. Photo shows Hong Kong director Chou Man-yu (centre) exchanging views with the audience at the sharing session after the screening of the film “Behind the Shadows”. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation made its historic debut in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, from June 12 to 14, introducing contemporary Hong Kong cinema to local audiences for the first time. Photo shows local film enthusiasts interacting with members of film industry from Hong Kong during the opening reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation made its historic debut in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, from June 12 to 14, introducing contemporary Hong Kong cinema to local audiences for the first time. Photo shows Hong Kong director Njo Kui-ying (left) exchanging views with the audiences at the sharing session after the screening of the opening film "Road to Vendetta". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation made its historic debut in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, from June 12 to 14, introducing contemporary Hong Kong cinema to local audiences for the first time. Photo shows local film enthusiasts exchanging views during the opening reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation made its historic debut in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, from June 12 to 14, introducing contemporary Hong Kong cinema to local audiences for the first time. Photo shows the Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (HKETO Dubai), Mr Simon Chan, speaking at the opening reception organised by the HKETO Dubai. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation made its historic debut in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, from June 12 to 14, introducing contemporary Hong Kong cinema to local audiences for the first time. Photo shows the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr Chang Hua (centre); the Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (HKETO Dubai), Mr Simon Chan (second left); with Hong Kong directors Njo Kui-ying (first left) and Chou Man-yu (first right); and the representative of the cinema (second right), at the opening reception organised by the HKETO Dubai. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health meets delegation of Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPPCC

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with Vice President of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Mr Wang Daping today (June 17) to exchange views on healthcare co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and to explore further strengthening collaboration.

Professor Lo welcomed the delegation and expressed gratitude to the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPPCC for its support in promoting exchange and co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Professor Lo said, "Hong Kong and Shenzhen enjoy close geographical and cultural ties, maintaining close and regular exchanges in healthcare. This meeting provided a meaningful platform for both sides to further exchange views on future co-operation plans across areas such as healthcare services, health and medical innovation and talent development."

At the meeting, Professor Lo introduced the characteristics and strengths of Hong Kong's healthcare system, including healthcare standards that are on par with international practices, research and clinical trial capabilities, as well as various initiatives rolled out by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to facilitate cross-boundary access to healthcare services for Hong Kong residents. The two sides also engaged in extensive exchanges on issues such as how to further leverage their complementary strengths and deepen healthcare co-operation to benefit residents in both places.

Professor Lo said, "The HKSAR Government will continue to strengthen healthcare exchange and co-operation with Shenzhen under the principles of complementarity and mutual benefit and on the premise of benefitting the healthcare development of the two places, with a view to enhancing the standards of healthcare services across the region through concerted efforts. We will fully leverage Hong Kong's distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, and jointly contribute with Shenzhen to propelling the important national strategy of 'Healthy China' and building a 'Healthy Bay Area'."

Secretary for Health meets delegation of Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPPCC Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Secretary for Health meets delegation of Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPPCC Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases