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

Award-winning Spanish dance performance "PLAY" ignites sheer joy of play

Spanish dance group Aracaladanza Compañía will stage the lyrical and imaginative dance performance "PLAY" in early August as part of the summer arts festival International Arts Carnival (IAC) presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. With the Yuen Long Theatre turned into a playground, the show features agile and energetic dancers in quirky costumes who wield curious objects to bring sheer joy to audiences.

Everyday games and toys are reinvented through dance in this playground: swan-shaped floaties will perform "Swan Lake" ballet, pillows several times larger than a human will engage in a pillow fight, gigantic cat's cradles will form countless patterns, and there will even be a tap dance performed by a mischievous troupe of fluffy dogs, ensuring an endless stream of dazzling surprises.

The production has swept the awards for Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design and Best Original Score, and was named a finalist for Best Family Show at the 2020 MAX Awards in Spain. Designed for nothing but sheer joy, it invites all fun-loving children-at-heart to join the celebration.

"PLAY" will be held at 3pm on August 8 and 9, and 7.30pm on August 8 at the Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre. This programme is recommended for audience members aged 4 and above. Tickets priced at $220, $280 and $350 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the URBTIX mobile ticketing app.

Ameet-the-artist session will be held after the performance on August 9for the audience to exchange views with the performers. In addition, parent-child dance workshops (in English with Cantonese interpretation) will be held at 11am and 5pm on August 9 at the Dance Studio of Yuen Long Theatre, where participants will learn a short dance piece through games, improvisation and physical contact. The workshops will close with an enjoyable group drawing exercise and are suitable for children aged 5 to 11 and their families. Tickets are priced at $120 for children and $180 for parents.

For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.hkiac.gov.hk.

This year's IAC will present over 100 performances and related activities in July and August, bringing together artists from overseas, the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong for an exciting lineup of interactive, inspiring and family-friendly programmes, including acrobatics, dance, music, theatre and multimedia. The IAC will also offer film screenings, library activities, parent-child workshops, an online programme and exhibitions, providing the city with a fulfilling and diverse summer arts experience for families.

Spanish dance group Aracaladanza Compañía will stage the lyrical and imaginative dance performance "PLAY" on August 8 and 9 as part of the summer arts festival International Arts Carnival presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Everyday games and toys are reinvented through dance in the show. One performance features pillows several times larger than a human engaging in a pillow fight. (Source of photo: Pedro Arnay) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Spanish dance group Aracaladanza Compañía will stage the lyrical and imaginative dance performance "PLAY" on August 8 and 9 as part of the summer arts festival International Arts Carnival presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Everyday games and toys are reinvented through dance in the show. One performance features a tap dance performed by a mischievous troupe of fluffy dogs. (Source of photo: Pedro Arnay) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Spanish dance group Aracaladanza Compañía will stage the lyrical and imaginative dance performance "PLAY" on August 8 and 9 as part of the summer arts festival International Arts Carnival presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The show features agile and energetic dancers in quirky costumes who wield curious objects to bring sheer joy to audiences. (Source of photo: Pedro Arnay) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Spanish dance group Aracaladanza Compañía will stage the lyrical and imaginative dance performance "PLAY" on August 8 and 9 as part of the summer arts festival International Arts Carnival presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The show features agile and energetic dancers in quirky costumes to bring sheer joy to audiences. (Source of photo: Pedro Arnay) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Spanish dance group Aracaladanza Compañía will stage the lyrical and imaginative dance performance "PLAY" on August 8 and 9 as part of the summer arts festival International Arts Carnival presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The show features agile and energetic dancers in quirky costumes who wield curious objects to bring sheer joy to audiences. (Source of photo: Pedro Arnay) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases