The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Film Development Council:

     The Scriptwriting Incubation Programme (SIP) introduced under the Film Development Fund has received an overwhelming response with nearly 1 550 applications. Assessment of Phase One of the competition has been completed and 45 works have been selected to enter Phase Two of the competition. Details of the selected works are in the Annex.
 
     The Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Dr Wilfred Wong, said, "It is very encouraging to see participants from the film sector and other different backgrounds presenting a wide spectrum of works for the competition. I look forward to seeing the shortlisted works develop further under the Programme and become quality screenplays in the next phase of the competition."
 
     The SIP aims at identifying and nurturing local screenwriting talents and helping to incubate quality screenplays, thereby enhancing the quality of Hong Kong productions. With total funding of $8 million, the SIP is being held in the form of a competition with multiple rounds. Funding support will be provided to the respective winners of the different phases. A maximum of 10 final winning screenplays will eventually be selected. Cumulatively, each of the final winning screenplays will be awarded a total amount of $410,000.
 
     Each of the shortlisted candidates entering Phase Two of the competition will be awarded a cash prize of $30,000. They will also be invited to join a seminar to learn about techniques for treatment and screenplay writing. The shortlisted candidates are required to submit the treatments in Phase Two. Up to 25 works will then be shortlisted for entering Phase Three of the competition.

Ends/Sunday, April 25, 2021
Issued at HKT 10:00

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