CURRENT PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Hong Kong has a long history of film making dating back to the early 1910s. The industry prospered in the 1980s and grew steadily in the 1990s.

• We produced 154 films in 1995 earning a total of about $776 million from cinema release.

• Hong Kong has five well-established cinema circuits screening around 140 local films and another four screening around 190* foreign films in 1995. Cinema receipts in 1995 totalled $1.3 billion.

• In 1995, more than $360 million worth of videotapes, laser discs and other compact discs were exported, representing an increase of about 49% over 1994.

• Our film industry and related activities contributed 0.16% of Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product in 1994.

• Some 6 000 people were employed in the film industry in 1995, accounting for about 0.2% of Hong Kong's total working population.

• Hong Kong is one of the three major film producing territories in Asia (the other two are India and Japan).
  • In terms of per capita production, Hong Kong ranks first not only in Asia but also globally.

  • Hong Kong films enjoy a major market share in the film markets of South Korea, Taiwan and South-east Asia. The popularity of Hong Kong films in China is increasing.

  • Hong Kong is one of the pioneers in Asia to employ computer animation technology to achieve innovative film effects such as the juxtaposition of the dead and alive, past and present.

Note *
In 1995, a total of 317 foreign films were screened in Hong Kong, of which about 190 were English-speaking films, with the rest in other languages such as German and French. Since films in languages other than English are usually screened in one or a few cinemas and have an insignificant impact on box receipts, only the 190 English-speaking foreign films are counted.

THE GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT

We recognise the economic and cultural values of a vibrant film industry. We believe that the role of the Government is to maintain an environment in which the film industry can grow and prosper. To achieve this,

• We will continue to seize every opportunity offered by the global liberalisation of trade in services to secure better market access for our film products.

• We will continue to update and improve our legal framework which recognises and protects intellectual property rights.

• We will continue to support the statutory Hong Kong Arts Development Council in its role of enhancing the creative and artistic elements of film making.

• We will continue to maintain an active dialogue with the industry so that we can better understand its concerns and challenges.

POLICY DIRECTIONS

We propose to :

• maintain an updated and comprehensive database to provide the necessary information to facilitate film production in Hong Kong;

• consider measures to streamline the procedures and regulations for location shooting of films in Hong Kong;

• facilitate the industry in hosting an annual international film trade fair (or a film festival) in Hong Kong starting in 1997 so as to maintain Hong Kong's status as the centre for the trading of films and film-related products in Asia; and

• explore with local tertiary institutions the possibility of developing training programmes for the film industry.

THE PRIVATE SECTOR'S CONTRIBUTION

The success of the film industry is founded on the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the private sector. While the Government will do its best to facilitate further development of this industry, private sector players should continue to take the lead in improving the quality of film production and enhancing competitiveness.

The private sector makes its vital contribution by :

• enhancing the professionalism of script writers, production crews, performing artists and supporting staff so as to continue to improve the quality of Hong Kong films;

• devoting particular attention to improving the quality of film scripts;

• investing in modern equipment to meet the best international standards of cinematographic technology and improving training in production and editing skills; and

• encouraging the creative use of sound and visual effects in film production so that locally produced films will remain an attractive mode of public entertainment.

LONG TERM ISSUES

The film industry is an integral element of Hong Kong's services sector. Apart from contributing to our economy, a flourishing film industry is also an important aspect of the community's respect for freedom of expression and appreciation for artistic creativity.

Film producers in Hong Kong, like their counterparts in other parts of the world, have to compete for audience not only with other players in the industry but also alternative forms of entertainment. The decline in the market share of our film industry in 1994, both in domestic and overseas markets, is a reminder that growth and success can never be taken for granted.

To meet these challenges, the film industry must continue to improve its competitiveness by upgrading the quality of its production, investing in human resources and technology, and encouraging creativity and imaginative use of film-shooting techniques. It must also keep pace with the rising expectations of the local and international audience. The Government will play its part in maintaining a conducive environment which respects and protects freedom of expression and intellectual property rights.

Secretary for Recreation and Culture

March 1996