Movers and shakers in cinema flock to the French Riviera every spring for one of the industry’s most prestigious events – the Cannes Film Festival.
This year, the largest ever Hong Kong delegation attended Cannes.
The Hong Kong Film Development Council (HKFDC), Create Hong Kong and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) organised Hong Kong Films @ Cannes pavilion, featuring premieres, exhibitions and seminars.
A highlight was the Hong Kong Night at Plage des Palmes, officiated by Kevin Yeung, Hong Kong SAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, which attracted over 600 international producers, directors, artists, distributors, buyers and film commission representatives.
Guests included director Soi Cheang and actors Louis Koo, Raymond Lam, Terrance Lau, Tony Wu and German Cheung, from Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In who received a standing ovation at their film’s screening. It marked the first time in 11 years that a Hong Kong film had been shown at Cannes.
The Hong Kong pavilion featured Cappu, Celestial Pictures, Edko Films, Entertaining Power, Fortune Star and mm2 Hong Kong, while major film production companies, such as Emperor Motion Pictures, Media Asia, One Cool Pictures and more, were also present.
HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Dr Patrick Lau said: “Further to HKTDC’s FILMART in Hong Kong in March, we jointly organised Hong Kong Films @ Cannes 2024 together with the Hong Kong Film Development Council and Create Hong Kong, attracting many international distributors who held discussions with Hong Kong companies.”
“The screenings of Hong Kong films received very positive feedback. We believe in the strength of Hong Kong’s creative and film industry and will continue to leverage our platform in Hong Kong to create more opportunities for global cooperation and to further promote Hong Kong as a centre for international cultural exchange.”
Following the Twilight of the Warriors premiere, it was announced that a trilogy was in the works and the film’s sales and production company, Media Asia, had sold the film distribution rights in Cambodia, Eastern Europe, India, Indonesia and Korea.
Exhibitors were pleased with their participation at Cannes. Mani Man, Deputy General Manager, mm2 Hong Kong, expressed that the Hong Kong Films @ Cannes 2024 campaign had been exceptional, with seminars, forums, networking, and screenings that significantly promoted the Hong Kong film industry and connected us with international industry players.
Gigi Ko, Vice President, Distribution of Celestial Pictures, which features classic Shaw Brothers movies, also concluded deals with firms from France, Vietnam and other countries and regions.
The Hong Kong Perspective in Asia’s Film Market seminar explored Hong Kong’s role as the East-meets-West cultural exchange and regional IP trading hub.
In addition to being a regional hub for buying and selling Asian films and TV dramas, Hong Kong is recognised as a leading platform for co-production.
The HKFDC runs a Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme to subsidise film projects co-produced by filmmakers between Hong Kong and European/Asian countries to facilitate cross-regional collaboration.
Franck Priot, CEO and Producer at France’s Ghost City, said: “My hope is that Hong Kong, aided with the Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme, can act as a bridge between these markets and Europe.”
Cedric Behrel, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Trinity CineAsia, commented: “We see an encouraging wave of new filmmakers with potential for more collaboration between Hong Kong and Europe.”
A series of forums on film collaboration in Asia, co-production, Hong Kong’s action cinema and emerging talents were also held with veteran filmmakers, such as Stanley Kwan, Soi Cheang, Vincci Cheuk, as well as emerging talents including Oliver Chan, who highlighted the diversity of Hong Kong cinema.
“This year is the largest Hong Kong delegation to ever attend Cannes and there were a lot of events organised during the fortnight showcasing Hong Kong’s filmmaking talent,” said writer-director Oliver Chan.
