Since its launch in 2007, the Film Development Fund (FDF) scheme for financing film production has approved 13 applications of different genres, including animation, kung-fu, romance, ethical and suspense films. These films have engaged six directors who are directing commercial productions for the first time, demonstrating that the scheme is effectively nurturing talent for the industry, the Chairman of the Film Development Council (FDC), Mr Jack So, said today (June 14).
Mr So today will attend the premiere of "Break Up Club", the fifth FDF-financed film to be screened in Hong Kong. The estimated production budget for the film is $5.86 million and the amount financed by the Government is about $1.76 million.
"Encouraging more commercial investment in film productions and creating more employment opportunities for local film makers is one of the FDF's objectives. 'Break Up Club' has engaged Hong Kong new generation director, Ms Barbara Wong. This shows that the scheme has played an important role in the nurturing of film talent," Mr So said.
Mr So stressed that the FDC would continue its full support for the development of the local film industry and would encourage the production of more quality films of different genres to help the sector nurture new blood.
In October 2007, the Government injected $300 million into the FDF and expanded its scope to partly finance small-to-medium budget film productions. The 13 applications approved so far involved a total funding of about $38.19 million.
Monday, June 14, 2010