HKFA to Present "Treasure-Hunt Stories: A 25-Year Cinematic Journey" Exhibition for 25th Anniversary Commemoration

Film Archive to present "Treasure-Hunt Stories: A 25-Year Cinematic Journey" exhibition

The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present the exhibition "Treasure-Hunt Stories: A 25-Year Cinematic Journey" at the HKFA Exhibition Hall in Sai Wan Ho from July 31 to May 9, 2027. The exhibition highlights the HKFA's dedicated efforts in preserving the history and culture of Hong Kong cinema through acquisition and restoration since its establishment, and is part of the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the HKFA.

A worldwide quest for cinematic treasures

The HKFA's acquisition efforts have spanned Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. The exhibition features detailed interview videos with frontline acquisition staff and donors, recounting the HKFA's overseas acquisition stories, including the largest overseas acquisition in the HKFA's history - tens of thousands of invaluable items from North American cinemas donated by theatre owner Mr Gordon Fung. Precious film footage recovered from around the world are also shown in the videos, including a restored clip of the colour negative of Bruce Lee's early work "The Orphan" (1960), "The Dividing Wall" (1952) by renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhu Shilin, Patrick Tse's "Winter Love" (1968), and Leslie Cheung's "Days of Being Wild" (1990), guiding visitors through the triumphant journey of Hong Kong films across the seas with first-hand accounts.

Recovering pre-war cinematic treasures from a San Francisco basement

The HKFA visited the villa of Mr Jack Lee Fong, owner of the Palace Theatre, in San Francisco, the United States, and discovered in his basement numerous Chinese nitrate films from the 1930s and 1940s. These included several long-lost pre-war Hong Kong films such as "The Light of Women" (1937), as well as one of China's earliest sound films, "Struggle" (1933), which is believed to be the only surviving work of Unique Film Productions (Shanghai). Mr Fong subsequently donated over 100 film prints to the HKFA for permanent preservation. The exhibition recreates Mr Fong's basement in a scene, allowing visitors to experience the surprising moment of discovering these film treasures.

Homage to 25 representative donors

Facing the challenges posed by the local climate to the conservation of film artefacts, the HKFA has been racing against time over the past 25 years, proactively acquiring, restoring, and preserving endangered film collections. Thanks to the trust and support of the public and the industry, the HKFA has received a large number of donations. The exhibition features a curated selection of around 100 film clips from the 1930s to the 2000s, chosen from the donations of 25 representative donors for visitors to select and screen.

Restoration station: where science meets craftsmanship

Most of the classic films in the HKFA's collection undergo a meticulous restoration process by professionals before returning to the silver screen. The exhibition features the workbench and professional tools used by conservators to inspect and repair films, including a manual film rewinder, a 35mm tape splicer, and a film synchroniser. Visitors can also experience the film inspection process with films and a magnifying glass on the workbench to gain a better understanding of the technical side of film restoration.

The exhibition also offers interactive experiences and photo spots. In collaboration with the Hong Kong Design Institute, two simulation games designed by students are available for visitors to experience the acquisition and conservation of film. In addition to a film vault recreated on a 1:1 scale with light boxes, the exhibition features various interactive installations, including a four-metre-wide "Film Can Wall" with rotating circular panels for visitors to learn about film. There will be film canisters of different sizes for visitors to feel their weight, and an enlarged film scrolling installation for visitors to match film frames from before and after restoration.

Two seminars will be held to complement the exhibition. Details will be available at the HKFA website later. Admission to the exhibition is free. For details, please visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2026/25a-fa-exhib/pe-event-2026-25a-fa-exhib.html or call 2739 2139 for enquiries.

"Treasure-Hunt Stories: A 25-Year Cinematic Journey" will be held starting tomorrow (July 31) at the Hong Kong Film Archive Exhibition Hall. There are photo spots at the exhibition, including the film vault recreated on a 1:1 scale with light boxes. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Treasure-Hunt Stories: A 25-Year Cinematic Journey" will be held starting tomorrow (July 31) at the Hong Kong Film Archive Exhibition Hall. In collaboration with the Hong Kong Design Institute, two simulation games designed by students are available for visitors to experience the acquisition and conservation of film. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Treasure-Hunt Stories: A 25-Year Cinematic Journey" will be held starting tomorrow (July 31) at the Hong Kong Film Archive Exhibition Hall. The exhibition features the workbench and professional tools used by conservators to inspect and repair films. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Treasure-Hunt Stories: A 25-Year Cinematic Journey" will be held starting tomorrow (July 31) at the Hong Kong Film Archive Exhibition Hall. A curated selection of around 100 film clips is available for visitors to select and screen. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Treasure-Hunt Stories: A 25-Year Cinematic Journey" will be held starting tomorrow (July 31) at the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) Exhibition Hall. The exhibition recreates the San Francisco basement scene where the HKFA recovered pre-war cinematic treasures. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Treasure-Hunt Stories: A 25-Year Cinematic Journey" will be held starting tomorrow (July 31) at the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) Exhibition Hall. The exhibition features detailed interview videos with frontline acquisition staff and donors, recounting the HKFA's overseas acquisition stories. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Treasure-Hunt Stories: A 25-Year Cinematic Journey" will be held starting tomorrow (July 31) at the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) Exhibition Hall. The exhibition highlights the HKFA's dedicated efforts in preserving the history and culture of Hong Kong cinema through acquisition and restoration since its establishment. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (July 30) detected two drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 18 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 3kg of suspected cannabis buds, with a total estimated market value of about $7.9 million. Two persons were arrested.

In the first case, a local woman, aged 35, arrived in Hong Kong from Zurich, Switzerland, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $7.3 million, inside her check-in suitcase. She was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, a Malaysian male passenger, aged 27, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3kg of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $0.6 million, inside his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.

Investigation of the two cases are ongoing.

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 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.

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 drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases