The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) is one of Asia's oldest international film festivals. Founded in 1976, the festival features different movies and filmmakers from different countries, and takes place in Hong Kong.[1]
HKIFF screens around 230 films from more than 60 countries in different major cultural venues across the territory every year.[2] New films are featured as gala premieres, with the directors and cast presenting on the red carpet and meet-and-greet sessions in theatres.[3]
History
Previously operated by Urban Council and Leisure and Cultural Services Department, from 1977 to 2001, and Hong Kong Arts Development Council, from 2002 to 2004, HKIFF was officially incorporated as an independent, charitable organisation – Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited after completing its 28th edition.[4][5] The Hong Kong SAR Government has continued to subsidise the festival through venue provision and partial funding.[6]
HKIFF Firebird Awards include three categories: Young Cinema Competition, Documentary Competition and Short Film Competition. The results are decided by three jury teams consisting of film industry professionals such as film critics, directors and film festival delegates. Besides Firebird Awards, HKIFF also established FIPRESCI Prize in HKIFF23 to recognize enterprising filmmakers and promotes young talent in Asian cinema.[8] Starting from HKIFF41, Audience Choice Award is held during the film festival when the audience members who purchased tickets and festival passes could vote for their favorite films.[9] From HKIFF43, the Young Cinema Competition was divided into "Chinese Language" and "World" sections.[10]
^"Hong Kong themes give hometown heroes an on-screen presence at HKIFF". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
^"Mainland offers Hong Kong's film industry a brighter future". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
^"Hong Kong Film Festival 2018 preview". Screen. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
^Adler, Carlye (2003-12-03). "Gov't to let go of Hong Kong fest". Variety. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
^"New subvention arrangement for Hong Kong International Film Festival Society announced". www.info.gov.hk. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
^"Update on the Work of Create Hong Kong" (PDF). Legislative Council, Hong Kong SAR Government. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
^"Billboard Radio China - The 42nd Hong Kong International Film Festival Kicks Off". www.billboardradiochina.com. Archived from the original on 2018-06-19. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
^"HKIFF closes with gifts and Greenaway". SCREENZ. 2015-04-06. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
^"HKIFF41 honors filmmakers with awards of five competition sections and the Audience Choice Award". www.filmfestivals.com. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
^"HKIFF43 Winners of Firebird Awards Announced at Gala". HKIFF. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
Notes
^HKIFF44 was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When the cinemas finally reopened, HKIFF Society decided to bring the cancelled programme to local residents through a five week-long CineFest (September 30 - November 5).
^ a bDue to Covid-19-related travel restrictions, all the master classes were held online.
^Following the government's announcement extending its social distancing measures to curb the escalating Covid-19 pandemic, HKIFF46 scheduled initially between 31 March and 11 April was postponed.