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FILMART boosts European alliances with Bridging The Dragon partnership; “Dust to Dust”, “Fly Me to the Moon” filmmakers shows up for 2024 #EntertainmentPulse
26 February 2024
Co-production is one of spotlights at this year’s FILMART, at which a European delegation of film producers, investors and government bodies will be led by Bridging the Dragon.
About 15 European film producers and institutional representatives are part of the initiative, which aims to offer delegates an insight of the growing Asian content industry, matchmaking opportunities and contacts with local institutions.
Exhibiting at FILMART for the first time, Bridging the Dragon and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Hong Kong Film Development Council are co-organising two panel discussions on 12 March to talk about co-production.
Bridging The Dragon’s presence in Hong Kong this year follows decades spent connecting film industries in Europe and Mainland China.
Cristiano Bortone, Director, Producer and MD of Bridging The Dragon, highlights the importance of building mutual knowledge, understanding, and trust among industry professionals as key factors for successful co-productions.
Bortone says the Hong Kong Film Development Council’s new film incentive, specifically designed for collaboration with Europe, is “of critical importance”.
The new grant scheme, launched at the European Film Market in Berlin this month, offers more than US$1 million per project to Hong Kong film coproductions with Europe.
Bortone underscores the potential for the incentive to “lead to a new season of collaboration between our talents and the introduction of Chinese themed stories to the broader western audience”.
Describing FILMART as the “biggest film market in Asia and a natural entry door into the Asian market”, Bortone says Asia is still “relatively off the map of most European producers”.
“Through a mix of more official events such as panels and institutional meetings, and a more private matchmaking activity our hope is to encourage the development of new and daring collaborations,” he adds.
Bridging The Dragon’s presence at FILMART comes amid rising ambitions within Asia’s production community as well as upgraded incentive plans, location services and facilities.
“The whole of Asia has developed,” Bortone says, adding: “The new territories express now a bigger and bigger audience and a new and enthusiastic film community is eager to bring its stories a...
Co-production is one of spotlights at this year’s FILMART, at which a European delegation of film producers, investors and government bodies will be led by Bridging the Dragon.
About 15 European film producers and institutional representatives are part of the initiative, which aims to offer delegates an insight of the growing Asian content industry, matchmaking opportunities and contacts with local institutions.
Exhibiting at FILMART for the first time, Bridging the Dragon and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Hong Kong Film Development Council are co-organising two panel discussions on 12 March to talk about co-production.
Bridging The Dragon’s presence in Hong Kong this year follows decades spent connecting film industries in Europe and Mainland China.
Cristiano Bortone, Director, Producer and MD of Bridging The Dragon, highlights the importance of building mutual knowledge, understanding, and trust among industry professionals as key factors for successful co-productions.
Bortone says the Hong Kong Film Development Council’s new film incentive, specifically designed for collaboration with Europe, is “of critical importance”.
The new grant scheme, launched at the European Film Market in Berlin this month, offers more than US$1 million per project to Hong Kong film coproductions with Europe.
Bortone underscores the potential for the incentive to “lead to a new season of collaboration between our talents and the introduction of Chinese themed stories to the broader western audience”.
Describing FILMART as the “biggest film market in Asia and a natural entry door into the Asian market”, Bortone says Asia is still “relatively off the map of most European producers”.
“Through a mix of more official events such as panels and institutional meetings, and a more private matchmaking activity our hope is to encourage the development of new and daring collaborations,” he adds.
Bridging The Dragon’s presence at FILMART comes amid rising ambitions within Asia’s production community as well as upgraded incentive plans, location services and facilities.
“The whole of Asia has developed,” Bortone says, adding: “The new territories express now a bigger and bigger audience and a new and enthusiastic film community is eager to bring its stories and expertise to the world”.
Other highlights of EntertainmentPulse, the concurrent conference track of FILMART, include a deep dive into Hong Kong’s film strengths and opportunities. Entitled “Meeting of Brilliance: A Dialogue between Two Generations of Filmmakers on Hong Kong Movies”, it aims to inspire young creative talents and pass on the baton among generations.
Two recently critically acclaimed Hong Kong films exemplify the extraordinary collaboration of emerging directors with industry luminaries.
Esteemed directors Soi Cheang (鄭保瑞) and Stanley Kwan (關錦鵬), who are renowned for their iconic creations like "Limbo" ("智齒") (2021) and "Rouge" ("胭脂扣") (1987), will share the stage with Jonathan Li (李子俊), who received the Best Director award for "Dust to Dust" ("第八個嫌疑人") at the 2023 Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards, and Sasha Chuk (祝紫嫣), recognised with the Best Screenplay for her debut film "Fly Me to the Moon" ("但願人長久"). Together, they will share their unique collaborative work experiences.
▶ Sponsored content brought to you by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) / FILMART. Published in ContentAsia's 26 February-10 March 2024 eNewsletter
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