Hong Kong Film Panorama held in Portugal

The Hong Kong Film Panorama, an annual event initiated by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) to introduce Hong Kong films to European audiences, was held in Lisbon for the first time in 2009. Its success prompted HKETO, Brussels and its co-organiser, Zero de Comportamento (organiser of the renowned international independent film festival IndieLisboa) to bring the festival to the Portuguese capital again this year.

Addressing over 80 guests at the opening reception, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Mary Chow, said that the film industry and other creative industries made up one of the six new economic sectors that Hong Kong seeks to promote.She noted that with the Government's efforts to nurture creativity generally and to assist small to medium budget movies through the Film Development Fund, Hong Kong films were receiving increasing international recognition.

"In September this year, a director from Hong Kong, Mr John Woo, was presented a lifetime achievement award at the International Film Festival in Venice.In February this year, Alex Law's Echoes of the Rainbow received a Golden Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival," Miss Chow said.

After Dublin in Ireland and Antwerp in Belgium, Lisbon is the third stop on the European tour of the 2010-11 edition of the Hong Kong Film Panorama.

Eight Hong Kong films were screened at the City Classic Alvalade Cinema in Lisbon between November 24 and 28, including five made in 2009: Felix Chong and Alex Mak's "Overheard", Ann Hui's "Night and Fog", Johnnie To's "Running out of Time", Wai Ka-fai's "Written by" and Herman Yau's "Rebellion".The programme is completed by three classic thrillers, Benny Chan's "Invisible Target", Johnny Mak's "The Long Arm of the Law", and Kirk Wong's "Crime Story".
Cinema and wine were at the centre of conversation at the opening reception of the Hong Kong Film Panorama in Lisbon on November 24 (Portuguese time).

Source: HKSAR Government