Hong Kong films showcased at Vienna International Film Festival (with photos)

     For the fourth consecutive year, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) has sponsored the Vienna International Film Festival (Viennale) in Austria to showcase Hong Kong movies. The screening of First Night Nerves directed by Stanley Kwan has been scheduled for November 3 (Vienna time) and on October 28 (Vienna time), Derek Chiu's award-winning melodrama No. 1 Chung Ying Street has made its debut in Vienna. The 56th edition of Austria's biggest international film event is being attended by more than 90 000 visitors who enjoy a carefully picked selection of 300 new films from all over the world.
 
     In the evening on October 28 (Vienna time), HKETO Berlin hosted the Hong Kong Reception at the Kunsthalle Wien at Museumsquartier, welcoming representatives of the Austrian and international film industry. Invited on stage by Viennale's Director, Ms Eva Sangiorgi, the Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Bill Li, highlighted the importance of the film industry for Hong Kong's development into a value-added and diversified economy. "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will continue to promote the development of Hong Kong as a regional intellectual property trading centre and encourage commercialisation of intellectual property so that the development of our creative industries can further diversify," Mr Li said.

     Hong Kong is aspiring to become the arts and cultural hub in Asia. Known for its inexhaustible source of film talents, the city attracts young film makers and actors bringing inspirations and new ideas to enrich Hong Kong's film industry. "We will promote further development of Hong Kong's local film industry, and nurture more talents. We also welcome film production professionals from around the world to work in Hong Kong," Mr Li said, making reference to the recently published Talent List of Hong Kong. The Talent List of Hong Kong has been drawn up with a view to attracting high quality talents from all over the world to take advantage of the abundant opportunities in the city. It currently comprises 11 professions, including creative industry professions in film, music and digital entertainment. After the reception, guests were invited to join the screening of No. 1 Chung Ying Street under attendance of the film's director Derek Chiu who provided an introduction.
 
     The renowned works of the Hong Kong film industry are not only showcased at the Viennale, but can also be witnessed on the spot at the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market which will take place in Hong Kong in March 2019.
 
About HKETO Berlin
 
     HKETO Berlin is the official HKSAR Government representative in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Austria as well as the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Switzerland.