Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation: New Tour Kicks Off This Autumn
Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation kicks off this September in Malaysia, followed by Singapore and Thailand from September to October.
Organized by the Asian Film Awards Academy, sponsored by Create Hong Kong and Hong Kong Film Development Fund, and fully supported by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices around the region, the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation is returning for a new season. Starting in September of this year, cities across Asia will host Hong Kong cinema-related programs, including screenings of Hong Kong films, exhibitions, as well as seminars and sharing sessions related to Hong Kong film productions.
The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation is committed to promoting film and cultural exchange. By showcasing the appeal of Hong Kong cinema and its outstanding talents, the event gives a chance for audiences throughout the region to explore a new generation of Hong Kong films, thereby promoting the sustainable development of the Hong Kong film industry. The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation provides a platform for film industries around the world to build closer cooperation with the Hong Kong film industry and its filmmakers, gathering film professionals from across Asia and Hong Kong for in-depth discussions.
In the past, the Asian Film Awards Academy has held Hong Kong film-related activities in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. The Way We Keep Dancing director Adam Wong, Drifting director Jun Li, Keep Rolling director Man Lim Chung, as well as One Second Champion star Lim Min Chen attended post-screening seminars at the events to share their experiences of making films in Hong Kong.
The new season of the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation kicks off this September in Malaysia with In Broad Daylight as its Opening Film. Produced by Derek Yee and directed by Lawrence Kan, the film has received wide recognition as an official selection of New York Asian Film Festival, Barcelona’s Asian Summer Film Festival and Shanghai International Film Festival. Starring Jennifer Yu, Bowie Lam and David Chiang, the film follows a newspaper reporter who goes undercover at an elderly care home after receiving a tip about abuse in the home.
Director Lawrence Kan says, “I’m delighted that my film has been chosen as the Opening Film of Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Malaysia. I look forward to attending the event to share my film with audiences and discuss filmmaking with local filmmakers.”
The Malaysia showcase also includes: The Asian premiere of Wish Comes True, a directorial effort by veteran screenwriter Ling Chi Man starring Ling Man Lung and Lim Min Chen; and the Southeast Asian premiere of Amos Why’s Everyphone Everywhere, about three best friends who reunite 25 years after their school days. David Chiang from In Broad Daylight and Director Amos Why from Everyphone Everywhere will also attend the event in Malaysia.
Following the Malaysia showcase, the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation tour makes its way to Singapore in late September. Director Ho Cheuk Tin, writer and producer Amy Chin, and actor Mak Pui Tung will travel to Singapore to attend the opening ceremony and the screening of Opening Film, Over My Dead Body. The film uses dark humor and an absurdist comedic style to depict current social phenomena and relationships between family members and neighbors. Starring Teresa Mo, Ronald Cheng and an ensemble of talented Hong Kong actors, the film will have its Singaporean premiere at the event.
Director Ho Cheuk Tin and actor Mak Pui Tong will also attend the Singaporean premiere of their film The Sparring Partner during the event. After inspiring widespread discussions and critical acclaim during its theatrical release, Mak won the Best New Actor award at the 16th Asian Film Awards for his performance. This highly-anticipated screening will be the first time Ho and Mak attend a film event in Singapore after sweeping multiple awards. In addition to the post-screening talk, Ho and Mak will also attend a seminar about Hong Kong film production and a new actors panel, respectively, to interact with local filmmakers, film students and cinephiles.
Director Ho Cheuk-tin says, “I’m honored that my films Over My Dead Body and The Sparring Partner will have their Singaporean premieres at the event. I hope that audiences in Singapore will like these distinctly different films. I look forward to taking part in the local university seminar to share my experiences of working in Hong Kong cinema and exchange ideas with young people in Singapore.”
Actor Mak Pui Tung says, “I thank the Asian Film Awards Academy for inviting me to the Singapore showcase of the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation. I look forward to taking part in the “Chinese-language Cinema New Actors Forum” and exchange ideas about the art of acting with fellow actors from around the region.”
Currently being prepared to be held in October, the Thailand showcase will host the “Next Generation: Emerging Directors Exhibition & Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” event, co-organized by the Asian Film Awards Academy and Create Hong Kong. The “Next Generation: Emerging Directors Exhibition” will showcase films supported by the Hong Kong Film Development Fund and recreate scenes of Hong Kong films using intricately designed props and settings. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation features screenings of numerous Hong Kong films, including A Guilty Conscience, the record-breaking blockbuster that became the first local film to gross over HK$100 million at the Hong Kong box office. Director Jack Ng, actress Renci YEUNG will visit Thailand to attend the opening ceremony and meet audiences.
Director Jack Ng says, “I hope that the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation will show Thai audiences a new generation of Hong Kong cinema. I also look forward to attending the event to share stories behind the making of A Guilty Conscience and the state of film production in Hong Kong with Thai filmmakers and audiences.”
More guests will be attending the event, Stay tuned to the latest announcement of Asian Film Awards Academy.
Josie Lin, Executive Director of Asian Film Awards Academy, says, “As the Hong Kong film industry gradually returns to normal, we’re seeing a more diverse range of genres and stories being told, including sci-fi, action, real-life stories, suspense thrillers, absurdist comedies and human dramas with strong Hong Kong flavor. I want to thank our co-organizers for all their assistance. Their hard work allows audiences from different countries to see the latest Hong Kong films. The Academy will continue to shoulder the important task of screening and promoting Hong Kong films across Asia in order to further advance the development of the Hong Kong film industry.”
The Malaysia and Singapore showcases will be co-organized by our long-term partners, Golden Screen Cinemas and Singapore Film Society, respectively. Our Thailand showcase will be held in conjunction with House Cinema, a popular film venue for local cinephiles. In addition, the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation is set to travel to Indonesia, Cambodia and Dubai. Stay tuned to the Asian Film Awards Academy’s official website and our regional partners’ official announcements for the latest news.
Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation
The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation, presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy, with the financial support of Create Hong Kong and Film Development Fund, is a grand programme that showcases exceptional talents of Hong Kong’s filmmakers to diverse audience across different regions. Our mission is to establish strong relations and bring together film professionals from ASEAN countries and Hong Kong for an in-depth discussion of the art of cinema. Since 2021, we have brought our spectacular events to international cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta, showcasing the boundless creativity and unparalleled diversity of Hong Kong films.
The Asian Film Awards Academy, a non-profit organisation, was founded by Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo International Film Festivals with the shared goal of celebrating excellence in Asian cinema. Aiming to promote and recognise Asian films and its talents, AFAA highlights, strengthens and develops Asian film industry through the annual Asian Film Awards and several year-round initiatives.
Create Hong Kong is a dedicated office under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to spearhead the development of creative industries in Hong Kong, with a vision to build up Hong Kong as a regional creative capital.
Film Development Fund was set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1999 to support projects conducive to the long-term development of the film industry in Hong Kong, including part-financing small-to-medium budget film productions, enhancing efforts to promote Hong Kong films in the Mainland and overseas, enhancing initiatives to train talents in various aspects of film production and distribution, and enhancing the interest and appreciation of Hong Kong films by the local audience.
Golden Screen Cinemas Sdn. Bhd. (GSC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the PPB Group (a member of the Kuok Group), operating a total of 590 screens in 70 locations across Malaysia and Vietnam, with 482 screens in 52 locations in Malaysia, and 108 screens in 18 locations in Vietnam through a partnership with Galaxy Studio. As the leading cinema exhibitor in Malaysia, GSC delivers innovative, integrated, and enriching lifestyle experiences through state-of-the-art cinematic technologies, merchandising, F&B, events, and more. GSC also owns Aurum Theatre, a boutique luxury cinema unlike any other in Malaysia, featuring opulent seats, bespoke service, and continental dining.
Singapore Film Society (SFS) is the largest organizer of film festivals in Singapore. They have collaborated with a wide range of partners from theatrical distribution, diplomatic missions, academic and cultural institutions to present the best of international cinema in Singapore.
Since 1958, Singapore Film Society has been passionately promoting film appreciation as art and entertainment, with the mission to bridge the gap between art-house cinema and the commercial film industry. SFS is renowned for its leading-edge programming and organizational skills in film festival management and marketing, including the annual European Union Film Festival, Japanese Film Festival, and Singapore Chinese Film Festival.
House cinema is considered to be the first arthouse/alternative cinema in Bangkok. Founded in 2004 and run by Sahamongkolfilm International, the leading film distributor in Thailand. For nearly 2 decades, various kinds of film has been presented here – from the low budgets to the blockbusters, from international award-winning films to Thai independents, with the belief that a diversity of programs will uphold the cinema culture. House relocated from its old venue (RCA) to Samyan Mitrtown mall in 2019 and rename itself as House Samyan ever since.
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