FILMART Draws International Buyers to Hong Kong

The 23rd edition of Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), attracted nearly 9,000 buyers.

The four-day gathering saw more than 60 scheduled events, with exhibitors featuring various shows and movies, networking with potential partners, discussing avenues of investment and brokering international deals. Long-time FILMART exhibitor Acort International, for example, reached a distribution agreement for a film titled World W4R with buyers from Korea, Vietnam and India on the second day of the exhibition. In another instance, Chinese animator Fantawild Animation reached a broadcasting agreement with an Indian TV station for the company’s animation Boonie Bears on the third day.

FILMART also featured 14 thematic seminars from nearly 60 industry heavyweights. Speakers included David Weiland, executive VP for Asia at BBC Studios; Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia; Sean Park, marketing director of YouTube for international markets; Jim Packer, president of worldwide TV and digital distribution at Lionsgate; and Yu Gong, founder and CEO of iQIYI. There were also more than 300 screenings that took place of the four days, over 100 of which were on-site premieres of various productions.

This year, the event focused on the development of film and TV in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, exploring cooperation and development opportunities for TV and film companies within the region.

Another key event, the 17th Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), took place as part of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong. HAF, one of the region’s film-financing platforms, showcased 42 shortlisted projects, including 19 work-in-progress projects.

Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Curator and HAF Director Jacob Wong said: “Both the number and total value of this year’s awards have set new records, affording more resources and opportunities for filmmakers to realize their dreams. As a mission, HAF will continue to support the robust development of emerging talents in Hong Kong and Asia by seeking out promising filmmakers with interesting film projects.”