The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Film Development Council:
 
     The Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), Dr Wilfred Wong, welcomed "The Chief Executive's 2020 Policy Address" delivered today (November 25) in support of the development of Hong Kong's film industry.
 
     Hong Kong's film industry is going through a very difficult time under the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government announced in mid-July this year that around $260 million would be earmarked under the Film Development Fund to implement five major measures, namely the Directors' Succession Scheme, the  relaxation measures under the Film Production Financing Scheme, the Scriptwriting Incubation Programme, the short-term advanced training programmes organised by the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers and the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild respectively, and the enhancement to the First Feature Film Initiative with a view to increasing the number of local film productions, nurturing young directors and scriptwriter talents, and enhancing professional training to re-energise the Hong Kong film industry.
 
     "The support measures put forth are practical and sustainable. Not only could they render timely relief to the industry and film practitioners of different disciplines, but also facilitate the long-term development of Hong Kong's film industry. As the Chairman of the FDC, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Executive for the support to the film sector as delivered today in the Policy Address. The FDC will proactively take forward the relevant measures," said Dr Wong.

Ends/Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:40

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