The 21st edition of the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) sprang into action for a four-day run at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The 21st edition of the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) sprang into action for a four-day run at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The opening ceremony of Entertainment Expo, Hong Kong this afternoon featured a high-profile cast of officiating guests, including: Paul Chan, Financial Secretary, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government; Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, HKSAR Government; Margaret Fong, Executive Director, HKTDC; Yang Zheng, Deputy Director-General, TV Drama Department, State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of TV Drama Department ; Terry Lai, Chairman, HKTDC Entertainment Industry Advisory Committee; and Leon Lai, Hong Kong Entertainment Ambassador. Also in attendance were representatives from the organisers and supporting organisations of the 10 events under the Entertainment Expo umbrella, including three founding events and seven core events. The Entertainment Expo continues through 25 April at venues across the city.
This years FILMART welcomes more than 800 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions. In addition to major film companies in Hong Kong, many overseas exhibitors have set up pavilions at FILMART to promote their local entertainment productions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, Korea, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, India and Vietnam. More than 330 exhibitors from 15 Belt and Road countries are also taking part in FILMART to tap global opportunities. These exhibitors include those from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Poland, Indonesia, Cambodia, Turkey and Mongolia.
Documentaries are a new focus at this years FILMART. In addition to more than 100 exhibitors showcasing their works, there will also be a seminar titled Opportunity for Documentaries in Asia, where moderator Ruby Yang, winner of the Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject, will discuss relevant topics with global industry leaders.
A number of screenings of award-winning documentaries are being held during the event for participants to gain a deeper understanding of the genre. They include My Voice, My Life and In Search of Perfect Consonance, directed by Ruby Yang, andThe Chinese Mayor, which won Best Documentary at the 52nd Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival.
Digital entertainment is another highlight of FILMART this year. The Hong Kong Animation & Digital Entertainment pavilion, sponsored by CreateHK, gathers more than 30 local digital entertainment companies featuring their services, including digital production and special effects, post production, mobile apps, smartphone games and multimedia design, such as 360-degree photography and virtual reality (VR).
In addition, two seminars related to digital production and special effects will be held, including Digital Entertainment Summit 2017: The Past and Future of Filmmaking, from Content and VFX Perspectives and The 10th Asian VFX and Digital Cinema Summit 2017. Industry experts will discuss the opportunities arising from the rapid development of related technologies and share their insights.
Multiple Hong Kong film companies are returning to FILMART, including China 3D Digital Entertainment Ltd, Distribution Workshop, Edko Films, Emperor Entertainment Group, Media Asia, Mega-Vision Project Workshop Ltd, Mei Ah Entertainment Group, One Cool Pictures Ltd, Pegasus Entertainment and TVBI. Fantastic Television Limited, Digital Domain and Fox Networks Group are making their debut to promote their latest entertainment productions to global buyers.
