HKETO Berlin Supports Hong Kong Cinema to Shine at Zurich Film Festival

HKETO Berlin supports Hong Kong cinema to shine at Zurich Film Festival

Supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin), two Hong Kong films took the spotlight at the 22nd Zurich Film Festival held from September 24 to October 4 (Zurich time). The screening was sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Film Development Fund.

Speaking ahead of the screening of the opening film "We Are Born Good" on September 25, the Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, highlighted the exceptional achievements of Hong Kong's creative talent and their enduring contributions to the global film landscape.

"We are committed to broadening the international reach of Hong Kong cinema to Central and Eastern Europe. Hong Kong's distinct culture of openness and diversity continues to fuel our filmmakers in crafting extraordinary narratives that offer unique perspectives to global audiences," Mr Wong said.

Following the screening, HKETO Berlin hosted a reception for distinguished guests from the business, cultural and media sectors, creating a lively setting for conversation, exchanges and connections around Hong Kong's creative industries.

The festival programme also featured the acclaimed "Cold War 1994", giving European audiences another glimpse of the distinctive storytelling, atmosphere and cinematic craft that have helped Hong Kong cinema resonate far beyond the city's shores.

Mr Wong also attended the National Day reception hosted by the General Consulate of the People's Republic of China in Zurich on the same day, during which he exchanged views with the Acting Consul General, Mr Jia Lei, on the latest developments and collaboration between Hong Kong and Switzerland.

Mr Wong also visited the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich and met with companies stationed there to learn about their development plans and promote the advantages of Hong Kong.

About HKETO Berlin

HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin), Mr Indiana Wong (second left), and the Head of Public Relations of HKETO Berlin, Ms Stephanie Pall (third left), visited the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich on September 25 (Zurich time) and met with representatives of companies stationed there. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) supported the 22nd Zurich Film Festival in Zurich, Switzerland. Photo shows the Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (right), together with the Chief Executive Officer of the Zurich Film Festival, Dr Christian Jungen (centre), and the Head of Public Relations of HKETO Berlin, Ms Stephanie Pall (left), before the screening at the Zurich Film Festival on September 25 (Zurich time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (left), attended the National Day reception hosted by the General Consulate of the People's Republic of China in Zurich on September 25 (Zurich time) and exchanged views with the Acting Consul General, Mr Jia Lei. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin supported the 22nd Zurich Film Festival in Zurich, Switzerland. Photo shows the audience at the screening in Zurich on September 25 (Zurich time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin supported the 22nd Zurich Film Festival in Zurich, Switzerland. Photo shows the reception after the screening in Zurich on September 25 (Zurich time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) supported the 22nd Zurich Film Festival in Zurich, Switzerland. Photo shows the Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong (right), speaking before the screening of the opening film "We Are Born Good" on September 25 (Zurich time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD launches special enforcement operations against illegal feeding activities

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will launch one-month special operations starting tomorrow (October 1) to step up patrols and enforcement at various blackspots for illegal feeding of wild animals, including Kam Shan Country Park and Lion Rock Country Park, with a focus on combating the illegal feeding of wild animals such as monkeys and wild pigs.

A spokesman for the AFCD said, "Feeding wild animals causes them to rely on human feeding, weakens their ability to forage for food independently, and may lead to the congregation of wild animals, causing a nuisance to members of the public and affecting public safety. It also has adverse impacts on wild animals and the natural ecology. After frequent contact with humans, wild animals such as monkeys and wild pigs may lose their natural fear of humans, and may even become aggressive, actively snatching plastic bags or food held by members of the public, which may result in injury cases. Food residues left by feeders and animal faeces also soil public places and give rise to public hygiene problems."

The newly amended Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170), which came into effect on August 1, 2024, introduced a fixed penalty of $5,000, and increased the maximum penalty for the illegal feeding of wild animals and feral pigeons to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year to enhance the overall deterrent effect. As at August 31, 2026, the AFCD has issued 86 and 59 fixed penalty notices in respect of illegal feeding of monkeys and wild pigs respectively. There were 12 successful summons prosecutions, with the highest fine imposed at $10,500.

The AFCD has installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems equipped with AI technology at the car parks in Kam Shan Country Park to effectively identify illegal feeding activities, thereby assisting the department in deploying enforcement operations. From the commencement of the trials of the AI-enabled CCTV systems in early 2024 to August 31, 2026, there were 13 successful prosecution cases, with two other cases still under investigation.

In addition, the AFCD will continue to strengthen collaboration with various stakeholders to carry out diverse publicity and education activities, including a series of campaigns themed "All for No Feeding", to raise public awareness of the negative impacts of feeding wild animals and feral pigeons, as well as the feeding ban and associated penalties. Meanwhile, to step up publicity targeted at visitors to Hong Kong, during the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland, the AFCD will display promotional materials of "All for No Feeding" at MTR, cross-boundary coaches and boundary control points, and distribute leaflets at boundary control points to remind the public and visitors not to feed wild animals or feral pigeons.

The public may report any suspected illegal feeding activities by calling 1823.

Source: AI-found images