Hong Kong movies showcased at Osaka Asian Film Festival (with photos)

     The 19th Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) from March 1 to 10 is running a "Special Focus on Hong Kong" feature programme, showcasing the vibrancy of Hong Kong's film industry to Japanese movie lovers.

     As part of the programme, the Hong Kong Gala Screening featuring Hong Kong film "The Moon Thieves" was held in Osaka, Japan, tonight (March 5). "The Moon Thieves" was also chosen as the Special Opening Film of the OAFF this year.

     Speaking at the reception before the screening, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, said that this has been the 13th consecutive year of collaboration with the OAFF to present a wide range of Hong Kong films to Japanese audiences.

     "We are much obliged to the OAFF for curating the 'Special Focus on Hong Kong'. This year, a total of seven Hong Kong movies that span across various genres are presented, including 'The Lyricist Wannabe' contending for the festival's prestigious awards," she said.

     She also introduced to players in the film industry the Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme, which subsidises film projects co-produced by Hong Kong filmmakers and their Asian/European counterparts, noting that it will start accepting applications in the second quarter of 2024.  

     At the screening which was attended by some 300 film fans, Miss Au was joined by director Yuen Kim-wai and actor Kazuya Tanabe of "The Moon Thieves", as well as other Hong Kong film professionals whose works have been selected for screening at the film festival. Yuen and Tanabe also participated in a sharing session with the audience after the screening.

     The "Special Focus on Hong Kong" programme was supported by Create Hong Kong, the Film Development Fund and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo).