Hong Kong’s film industry will receive extra government cash to promote the sector and the city abroad

More government money will be pumped in Hong Kong film industry help it enter international markets and promote the city’s culture abroad, the chief financial officer said.

On Sunday, Paul Chan Mo-po wrote in his weekly blog that films are an important part of the city’s cultural life and the industry can be used to showcase Hong Kong’s unique qualities to a global audience.

Chan highlighted the box office hit Twilight of the Warriors: Bricked upwhich earned a 10-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival last month.

“(It) shows that the cultural messages contained in a film can generate appreciation and resonance across time, space and regions,” the finance secretary wrote.

He added that the government has helped support the industry through the Film Development Fund.

Chan said that over the past two decades, the fund has financed 100 films and helped more than 100 emerging directors and producers realize their screen dreams.

He added that films made with government assistance have won more than 160 awards in Hong Kong and internationally over the years.

The Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon takes shape. Photo: Eugene Lee — Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon is taking shape. Photo: Eugene Lee

“New financing programs launched over the past two years have included helping local filmmakers and producers explore the mainland China market and intensifying exchanges with industry players in Europe and Asia,” Chan said.

“The government actively encouraged delegations to attend world-famous film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin and Venice.

“In the future, we will also actively participate in international film festivals held in Toronto, Busan and Tokyo, hoping to help local films enter more overseas markets as well as enable more international audiences to watch Hong Kong productions.”

Chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in an October policy speech that the city would contribute HK$1.4 billion to the film fund.

Chan added on Sunday that the government has also invested heavily in sports, from five-a-side soccer pitches to the Kai Tak Sports Park, the city’s largest sports facility construction project, which is scheduled to open next year.

He said the development was expected to create business opportunities for the retail, hospitality and tourism sectors, as well as attract major international sporting and cultural events to Hong Kong.

Chan also posted a video of himself playing soccer with a group of fathers and sons over the weekend to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday.

He said the rain gave them a good opportunity to play in cooler conditions.