Hong Kong has launched two film funding schemes to support co-productions with Asia and develop streaming content in a bid to take the local film industry to new heights.
The Hong Kong Film Development Council (HKFDC) announced the measures today at a press event titled New Power of Hong Kong Cinema, during which the winners of the ongoing First Feature Film Initiative (FFFI) were also announced (see below for full list).
Combined, the two new schemes are worth up to $15m (HK$117.6m) and come under the city’s Film Development Fund (FDF).
The Hong Kong-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme will select up to eight projects, which will each receive a grant of up to $1.15m (HK$9m). Some of the requirements include the involvement of least one Hong Kong and one Asian film practitioner among the three main creative roles of producer, director and screenwriter who must have been awarded or nominated in an internationally recognized film festival or local award. At least 30% of below-the-line expenditure must be spent in Hong Kong.
“By encouraging co-productions by filmmakers between Hong Kong and Asian countries, the Hong Kong Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme will help local filmmakers broaden their global visions and learn from the creative minds of other Asian countries with a view to bringing new energy to the local film industry,” said HKFDC chairman Dr Wilfred Wong.
In addition, the Content Development Scheme for Streaming Platforms will select up to eight teams through a competition. The shortlisted teams must submit a detailed proposal and full script of the first six to 12 episodes of a drama series and will be awarded up to $152,000 (HK$1.2m) for script development. Each of the winning teams will subsequently be awarded $573,000 (HK$4.5m).
Wong said this scheme took into account the “wide coverage of streaming platforms” and predicted it would “definitely help increase the exposure of Hong Kong productions internationally”.
Since 2005, the Hong Kong government has injected $196m (HK$1.54 billion) in the FDF to support Hong Kong film productions and film-related projects through various schemes such as the film production financing scheme (FPFS) and the FFFI.
Hong Kong productions to benefit from the FDF include recent box office hits Chilli Laugh Story and Mama’s Affair as well as The Sparring Partner, which opened last week to strong reviews. Further recipients released this year include Look Up and Sunshine Of My Life.
The winners of the 7th FFFI were also announced at today’s event. Six winning teams were selected and granted total funding of nearly $5m (HK$39m). Veteran producers who will pair up with first-time directors include Fruit Chan (Three Husbands), Soi Cheang (Limbo) and Saville Chan (The Way We Dance).
First Feature Film Initiative 2022 winners
Professional Group [each project awarded $1m (HK$8m)]
Spare Queens
Dir. Tom Chung-sing
Pro. Chan Hing-kai
Wri. Tom Chung-sing, Lee Po-chi
A manager of a struggling ten-pin bowling team must team up with her lifelong rival, putting their differences aside to face new challenges together.
Love & Sex On Streaming
Dir. Yu Sze-long
Pro. Ip Kwong-kim
Wri. Yu Sze-long, Ho Miu-ki
Having stumbled upon a sex video featuring his girlfriend and her ex-boyfriend, a young man has his perception of sex and love overturned by a camgirl and finds himself in the world of live streaming.
Stuntman
Dirs. Albert Leung Koon-yiu, Herbert Leung Koon-shun
Pro. Angus Chan Lo-chiu
Wri. Anatasia Tsang Hin-ling, Yip Wai-ping
A washed-up action film star pursues a comeback to recover his fame only to disrupt his relationship once again with his daughter.
Higher Education Institution Group [each project awarded $637,000 (HK$5m)]
Eternal Sunshine Life-saving Squad
Dir-wri. Li Sum-yuet
Pro. Fruit Chan
In 2000, cases of committing suicide by burning charcoal were increasing on the island of Cheung Chau. The islanders’ livelihood was affected and they formed the life-saving squad. A guesthouse owner set up “The Three No’s Rental Rules” and a part-time girl at the supermarket observed customers who might buy charcoal for committing suicide. Some islanders were on the lookout for distressed visitors. Occasionally, they succeeded in stopping the tragedy. Some survivors even joined the squad. At times, they made mistakes in the life-saving endeavours. With trial and error, they explored the essential needs in people’s hearts.
Dead End
Dir-wri. Isabella Lam
Pro. Soi Cheang
A young father makes a migration decision without notifying his relatives, creating tense moments in the family. Concurrently, several dead body cases in town remind him of his father’s death, leading him to suspect that his family is trying to hide something.
Bird Of Paradise
Dir-wri. Wu Chui-yi
Pro. Saville Chan
Eagerly wanting a last bloom of her youth, Mama Yeung conceals her stubborn husband and rebellious son, and steps into the world of pole dancing. But when her secret is accidentally revealed, it creates a dilemma between fulfilling her family’s needs and pursuing her dream.
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