[2011.02.18] YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL HOLDS EXCHANGE TO PLAY MATCHMAKER

After free screenings, public survey and other activities, the first Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Youth Film Festival's Hong Kong regional events entered its most important segment: the creative investment exchange and closing ceremony. The exchange will take place on the 24th and the 25th in Guangzhou. Yesterday at the press conference the Guangdong Film Company chief Zhao Jun and a group of Hong Kong film producers including Wellington Fung Wing, Paco Wong, Lam Tsz Chung, Fung Chi Keung and others attended.

The organizers with the concept of "roots in South China, broadcasts nationwide" hoped the exchange would provide opportunities for Hong Kong directors and screen writers and Mainland film investors. They will not only solidify Cantonese film's existing market but also promote it to other regions in the nation and explore a wider range for independent producers and small to medium sized films. Zhao Jun said, Guangzhou film market has quite a potential, 1/6 of the Mainland's 10 billion box office with 1.67 billion. Thus he hoped for even better scripts in the future. Over 20 Hong Kong producers will attend the exchange, veteran film workers like Lawrence Ah Mon (Lau Kwok Cheung), Cheung Tat Ming, Derek Chiu Sung Kei, Lam Tsz Chung and Law Chi Leung as well as many film industry new comers.

Paco Wong years ago already had his eyes on the Mainland's enormous market and even became a trailblazer for the Guangdong "import film". He revealed, this year he would cultivate three new directors Chin Kwok Wai, For For and Fung Chi Keung and make two romantic and one police films. Paco Wong honestly said that investors were willing to invest 40 million on big directors but unwilling to invest 4 million on new directors. Thus new directors had difficulties finding investors. He also complimented the three directors as have certain performing art production experience. Although this time was Fung Chi Keung's debut as a director, he has participated in films like SHAOLIN SOCCER, CJ7 (CHEUNG GONG 7 HO), SPARROW (MAN JEUK) and 2 BECOME 1 (TIN SUN YUT DUI). His experience was full and was Stephen Chow Sing Chi and Johnnie To Kei Fung's official screen writer.