Production of First Feature Film Initiative projects commences (with photo)

The First Feature Film Initiative (FFFI) launched by Create Hong Kong entered a new stage today (July 3) as the winning teams began work on the production of their first commercial feature films.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the start of principal shooting, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Mr Ma Fung-kwok, said that the FFFI is the Government's latest measure in support of the film industry. It seeks to identify and nurture talent through a competition on screenplay and production proposals.

Mr Ma noted that the three new directors and their winning teams had been fully engaged in pre-production work for the past six months, working hard on refining the scripts and casting while facing difficulties of various kinds, but in the process had acquired valuable experience in making a feature film.

He said he believed that the FFFI would support young prospective filmmakers who showed a flair for innovation and demonstrated capacity in film production, and would help promote the long-term development of the local film industry.

Late last year, three winning entries were selected under the FFFI. The winning team in the Professionals Group is "Opus 1" (directed by Mr Cheung King-wai). The two winning teams in the Higher Education Institutions Group are "Weeds on Fire" (directed by Mr Chan Chi-fat) and "Mad World" (directed by Mr Wong Chun).

The Film Development Fund will make funding available to cover the full production costs of the winning teams' films, subject to a cap of $2 million per film for the winning teams in the Higher Education Institutions Group and $5 million for the winning team in the Professionals Group.

Thursday, July 3, 2014