Hong Kong films featured in New York film festival

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Melissa Ng /David Hsieh at 212-752-3320
Daniel McAtee at 202-238-6360
Wing Yan Tong at 415-835-9315

June 11, 2009 - Hong Kong films featured a prominent position in the 8th New York Asian Film Festival. Ten films, five of which are productions by Hong Kong’s new generation of directors under the “Hong Kong Film: New Action” programme will join with 40 others from various Asian countries to compete for two honour awards - the Grand Jury Award and the Audience Award - in this year’s festival.

At a press event held earlier this evening in New York City, Director, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, (NYETO) Monica Chen introduced to an audience comprising more than 100 journalists, film critics, and film personnel the Hong Kong series.

She said, “The films are the productions of our next generation of film makers. These film makers are all gifted individuals; they possess the flair, the vitality, and the vision to continue the robust development of our creative film industry.”

The evening featured the premiere debut of the film HIGH NOON, directed by Mak Hei-yan. Director Mak flew all the way from Hong Kong to attend the event and hosted a “Q and A” session with the audience, following the film’s screening.

Director Mak was the youngest amongst the Hong Kong directors. At the young age of 24, she received a “Best New Director” nomination at the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards.

Ms. Chen noted that the Hong Kong Government had always been highly supportive of its creative industries. She said a dedicated agency, Create Hong Kong, was set up on June 1 to promote Hong Kong as Asia’s creative hub and to facilitate start-ups and to nurture a pool of creative human capital.

The agency manages the Film Services Office, the Film Development fund, and the Film Guarantee Fund. These three offices provide supports to the film industry, including film productions in Hong Kong, promoting Hong Kong films locally and overseas, and providing financial support for film industry projects, including film productions.

A director of the New York Asian film Festival, Mr. Grady Hendrix, acknowledged NYETO’s contribution in the festival. He noted that it was for the first time a government was involved as a partner in the organization of the festival and that the joint venture was an invaluable resource in widening New York audience’s perspective towards the Asian film culture.

The ten Hong Kong films featured in this year’s festival included:
- HIGH NOON
- EXODUS
- EYE IN THE SKY
- PLASTIC CITY
- TACTICAL UNIT: COMRADES IN ARMS
- WRITTEN BY
- IP MAN
- WARLORDS
- AN EMPRESS AND THE WARIORS
- MAGAZINE GAP ROAD.

Hong Kong film director Wai Ka-fai will attend the opening night of the festival on June 19. The night features the world premiere of his movie “WRITTEN BY”, which he wrote and directed. Joining him will be one of Hong Kong’s leading actor, Sean Lau Ching-wan, who played the lead role in the movie.

The New York Asian Film Festival runs from June 19 to July 5.