CHINA: Hong Kong celebrities open gala entertainment expo to boost ailing film industry

Record ID: 607163

  • Title: CHINA: Hong Kong celebrities open gala entertainment expo to boost ailing film industry
  • Date: 23rd March 2006
  • Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (MARCH 20, 2006) (REUTERS ACCESS ALL) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE DONALD TSANG AND OTHER CELEBRITIES INAUGURATING THE ENTERTAINMENT EXPO WIDE SHOT OF AUDITORIUM WITH DONALD TSANG AND OTHER CELEBRITIES INAUGURATING THE ENTERTAINMENT EXPO HONG KONG FILM STAR JACKIE CHAN ON A CAMERA CRANE HONG KONG FILM STAR JACKIE CHAN ADDRESSES AUDIENCE FROM CRANE
  • Embargoed: 7th April 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA1X8YC6KM6OIC9YX8EN7ZYLE
  • Story Text: Hong Kong's chief executive Donald Tsang inaugurated the annual Entertainment Expo with a bevy of top local celebrities and directors on Monday (March 20) night in an effort to boost the ailing film industry in the territory.
    Internationally-known Hong Kong stars like Jackie Chan and acclaimed director Wong Kar Wai were present to lend support to the event which promises to showcase the best of Hong Kong films annually.
    More than 1,500 celebrities and guests attended the opening which also dished out awards for the most charismatic actor and actress. The awards went to Hong Kong stars Tong Leung and Maggie Cheung respectively.
    The four-week expo organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) also includes a international film festival featuring more than 200 movies.
    International action superstar Jackie Chan said he hopes this annual event will propel the local film industry to greater heights.
    "In the recent years, Hong Kong films have been experiencing huge shocks and challenges, but we are getting stronger when facing strong competition. We will be welcoming the new film era with a positive attitude," he said.
    Acclaimed director Wong Kar-wai who will become the first Chinese director to chair the Cannes Film Festival in May urged Hong Kong filmmakers to maintain the local flavour in their films.
    "Today, Hong Kong film is part of China's film industry. Of course, we are happy to share the huge Chinese market, but at the same time we should maintain our character and explore our own market with existing resources," he said.
    Hong Kong's film industry is still reeling form a decade-long slump which has seen box office receipts for local films at a record low.
    Hong Kong filmmakers are also increasing looking at cross-border collaborations with other Asian countries and even Europe to increase the profile of their films internationally.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Audio restrictions: This clip's Audio includes copyrighted material. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing the audio contained in this clip.
Register