CreateHK launches grant scheme for small-budget film productions
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     Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) today (November 9) launched the Film Production Grant Scheme (FPGS) under the Film Development Fund to support small-budget film productions.

     The Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), Mr Ma Fung-kwok, said, "Since film producers are generally less inclined to invest in small-budget film productions due to their lack of commercial elements, the new FPGS aims to subsidise small-budget film productions in order to reduce film producers' investment risk and encourage more commercial investment in small-budget film productions."

     Under the FPGS, a grant at 20 per cent of the approved production budget or actual production cost (whichever is lower) with a cap of $2 million per film project will be provided to subsidise small-budget film productions with a production budget not exceeding $10 million. The grant can be used to cover expenditure on remuneration of local production crew and the cost of shooting and production (including post-production) conducted in Hong Kong.

     Mr Ma added, "The FPGS will be implemented on a pilot basis for two years. Applications will be received on a quarterly basis and a maximum of three applicants will be provided with the grants for each quarter."

     "We hope that the FPGS will spur filmmakers' creativity to come up with quality film projects and boost the volume of local film productions as a whole, thereby creating more opportunities to nurture new film talents."

     The first round of the FPGS is open for applications from today to December 4. For details of the scheme, please visit the website of CreateHK (www.createhk.gov.hk) or the website of the Film Development Council (www.fdc.gov.hk).

Ends/Monday, November 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:37

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