Key Highlights
- The first Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Vietnam was launched on November 6, 2023.
- Rewnown actors Sammo Hung and Louis Koo attended to support the event.
- A total of four acclaimed Hong Kong films were showcased at the gala.
- Government support for Hong Kong cinema through various funding schemes is highlighted.
The Launch of a Cultural Bridge: Hong Kong Film Gala in Vietnam
The first edition of the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Vietnam, co-organized by the Singapore Economic and Trade Office (Singapore ETO) and the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA), was inaugurated on November 6, 2023. The event aims to promote Hong Kong cinema’s vibrancy and creativity among Vietnamese audiences.
Highlighting Acclaimed Films
The gala showcased four recent and acclaimed Hong Kong films across diverse genres: “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In,” “Stuntman,” “Four Trails,” and “Last Song for You.” These selections were chosen to captivate a broad audience in Vietnam, covering action, drama, and documentary themes.
Government Support and Funding
In his opening remarks, Mr. Owin Fung, the Director of the Singapore ETO, emphasized the importance of Hong Kong films’ international presence. He mentioned that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has introduced a film collaboration funding scheme under the Film Development Fund (FDF).
This scheme provides up to HK$9 million for each eligible co-production between Hong Kong filmmakers and their Asian or European counterparts, facilitating global expansion of Hong Kong films.
Mr. Fung also highlighted that over the past three years, films funded by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) through the FDF have accounted for nearly 30% of Hong Kong’s total box-office receipts. He stated that the CCIDA will continue to enhance publicity, exchanges, and business-matching efforts in both Chinese Mainland and overseas markets to help Hong Kong filmmakers expand their reach.
Star Power and Audience Engagement
Rewnown actors Sammo Hung and Louis Koo traveled to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to lend their support and engage with local film enthusiasts. Before the screening, they joined an engaging sharing session in a cinema, where they shared their filming experiences and impressions of the visit and exchanges with Vietnamese film lovers.
Additionally, Director Herbert Leung from “Stuntman” will meet with industry professionals, students, and cinema enthusiasts during his stay in Vietnam. The gala presentation was held at Galaxy Sala in Thiso Mall Sala Shopping Center, one of HCMC’s newest and largest cultural and entertainment hubs.
The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Vietnam runs until November 8, 2023. For more information, interested parties can visit www.afa-academy.com.
