The organisers of the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (Filmart) have unveiled further details of this year’s event, which marks the 15th anniversary of the market.

New this year are a US pavilion, organised by the Independent Film & TV Alliance (IFTA), and a pan-European pavilion, organised by European Film Promotion (EFP).

The US pavilion will feature more than 20 American sales agents including such companies as Cinema Management Group (CMG), Epic Pictures, Lakeshore, Lionsgate and Nu-Image. The pan-European pavilion is being organised in addition to the country pavilions hosted by various national promotional bodies, including UniFrance and UK Film Export International.

In total Filmart organisers, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), say they’re expecting to attract a record 600 exhibitors and more than 5,200 visitors from around the world.

The market, which HKTDC assistant executive director Raymond Yip says is “aiming to deliver more value to exhibitors and visitors”, is also increasing its focus on the television industry and will host the first ever Asia Rainbow TV Awards (March 22) in partnership with the Hong Kong Televisioners Association (HKTVA).

Filmart will also feature a pavilion from Cambodia for the first time, in addition to the usual delegations from Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand and other South-East Asian nations.

Also new this year is Co-production Lab Hong Kong, organised by Ateliers du Cinema Europeen (ACE) and Sinapses Asia, with support from HKTDC, the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) and the European Union’s Media International.

Around 20 producers from Asia and Europe will take part in the four-day project-based workshop. The event will also feature panel discussions, consulting sessions, market presentations and advice from experts.

However, Asian Side Of The Doc, held last year by French documentary market Sunny Side of the Doc, is not returning this year and will instead take place in Seoul, Korea from March 7-10.

As usual, Filmart takes place as part of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong which this year features ten events (see full line-up below). New events this year include a special exhibition, Pixar: 25 Years Of Animation, which will be held at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum from March 17 to June 27, and the Hong Kong Asian Pop Music Festival, which will be held on March 23.

Two other founding Expo events celebrate anniversaries this year – the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) turns 35 and the Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA) will be held for the 30th time.  

Entertainment Expo Hong Kong Events 2011:

Hong Kong Filmart (March 21-24)

Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (March 21-23)

Hong Kong International Film Festival (March 20-April 5)

Asian Film Awards (March  21)

Hong Kong Film Awards (April 17)

Hong Kong Independent Short Film & Video Awards (March 16-20)

Hong Kong Asian Pop Music Festival (March 23)

IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award (March 25)

Digital Visual Effects Summit (March 21-24)

Pixar: 25 Years Of Animation (March 17-June 27)

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