Hong Kong is taking its commitment to film collaborations with Europe to the next level with the launch of a new grant scheme. Under this scheme, the Hong Kong government is offering more than $1 million per project to film co-productions with Europe. The announcement was made at the European Film Market in Berlin, where a select group of producers and directors from Hong Kong are sponsored to visit.
This new initiative, called the Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme, is an extension of the successful Hong Kong-Asian program launched in January last year. Both programs aim to provide additional support amidst the challenging developments in the film industry. The scheme invites filmmakers from Hong Kong, European, and/or Asian countries to come together, develop joint ideas, foster new talent partnerships, and apply for a single round of support in 2024.
Operated by the Hong Kong Film Development Council and promoted by CreateHK, the scheme aims to offer significant financial support to successful film projects. Each project can receive a grant of up to HK$9 million ($1.1 million), depending on the size of the film's production budget. For projects with budgets below this ceiling, the grant can cover the entire production cost. However, for larger projects, filmmakers will be expected to source the remaining funds from other public or private sources.
Dr. Wilfred Wong, the chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, expressed his excitement about extending collaboration to Europe. He stated, 'Riding on the success of the first phase, we are so glad that we are further extending our collaboration footprint into Europe and announce the launch of the 'Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme' at the Berlinale. This scheme aims to provide funding for film projects co-produced with filmmakers from European and Asian countries, enhancing their exposure in international markets and fostering in-depth exchanges and mutual learning.'
Last year's Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme received numerous applications, and the successful recipients for those grants are expected to be announced within the coming weeks. The new scheme hopes to build upon this success and attract even more innovative and captivating film projects.
As part of their commitment to fostering international collaborations, a delegation from Hong Kong is attending the Berlinale. The delegation includes notable producers such as Debbie Lam, Jacqueline Liu, and Saville Chan, along with talented writer-directors Sasha Chuk and Chan Tai Lee. By participating in such global events, Hong Kong aims to strengthen ties with the international film community and create opportunities for fruitful partnerships.
The launch of the Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme signifies the territory's dedication to supporting the film industry and promoting the exchange of ideas and talent on a global scale. By offering substantial grants to film projects, Hong Kong hopes to encourage filmmakers from Europe and Asia to create compelling co-productions and expand their reach in international markets.
With the successful recipients of last year's grants soon to be announced and the launch of this new scheme, the future looks promising for the Hong Kong film industry. It is an exciting time for filmmakers in Hong Kong, Europe, and Asia as they have the opportunity to collaborate, create, and tell distinctive stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.
