Hong Kong's filmmakers seek global connections at FilMart

Hong Kong is working to connect with filmmakers worldwide through its film industry event, FilMart. This year, the event features 750 exhibitors from 30 countries, reflecting a push towards international collaboration. One of the main initiatives at FilMart is Producers Connect. It is organized by various local agencies and offers sessions to help Hong Kong producers navigate the global film scene. Activities include workshops and business matching sessions. Jacob Wong leads efforts at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Industry Office. He noted that Hong Kong's film industry needs outside partnerships to thrive. Many filmmakers in Hong Kong are collaborating with China, and the government is exploring connections with Southeast Asia. Historically known for action and martial arts films, Hong Kong's cinema has evolved significantly, partly due to changing co-production rules with mainland China. These changes allowed more Hong Kong movies to be produced and distributed. Cornelia Klimkeit from European Film Promotion highlighted FilMart as an important stop between major film festivals. She indicated that it helps promote regional film industry events. Wong mentioned the importance of co-productions and funding collaborations with Southeast Asian nations. He expressed hope that these partnerships would benefit newer filmmakers. The days of producing over 200 films a year in Hong Kong are gone, as Wong described that era as a "miracle." He believes that producing exportable films in today's expensive filmmaking environment will be a challenge.