FDC Chairman congratulates First Feature Film Initiative-funded project on winning Hong Kong Film Awards

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Film Development Council:

　　The Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), Dr Wilfred Wong, today (July 18) congratulated First Feature Film Initiative (FFFI)-funded film, "Hand Rolled Cigarette", for winning the Best New Director Award at the 40th Hong Kong Film Awards.
 
     The FFFI, launched by the government-financed Film Development Fund (FDF) in March 2013 with seven editions completed, seeks to identify and nurture talent in a new way through a competition focusing on screenplays and production proposals.
 
　　"Hand Rolled Cigarette" was the winning film project in the Higher Education Institution Group of the 4th FFFI. The winning team received full funding from the FDF to make their film. Apart from achieving critical acclaim and support from audiences, the film has had relatively good box-office results since it was commercially released in Hong Kong.
 
　　Dr Wong said, "The seven editions of FFFI launched so far have incubated more than 18 new directors and the scheme receives high acclaim from film practitioners. With the enhancement introduced since the 6th edition to increase the subsidy and winning quotas, FFFI should drive the film industry further by nurturing highly talented young film practitioners."
 
　　"Hand Rolled Cigarette" is directed by Chan Kin-long and has a screenplay co-written by Ling Wai-chun and Chan. The film stars Gordon Lam Ka-tung and Bipin Karma. It received seven nominations including Best New Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Costume & Makeup Design and Best Action Chorography. Chan won the Best New Director Award on Sunday.
 
　　The FFFI is one of the Government's initiatives to support the film industry. It takes the form of a competition in two groups, the Higher Education Institution Group and the Professional Group. The director of each participating team shall not have previously shot any commercial film of 80 minutes or above. The FDF will provide funding for the winning teams to implement their film proposals and make their first commercial feature films. The winning teams are required to complete the whole film production and sales process, involving planning, shooting and distribution, and in the process acquire knowledge from creative concept to practical experience in making a feature film.