A survey released yesterday revealed that Hong Kong's twin events for
the entertainment industry, the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market
(FILMART) and Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), provide the best
platform in Asia to market the latest products and to get financing for film
productions.
Almost 70 percent of industry respondents described Hong Kong's FILMART and
HAF platform as the most significant film event in Asia, followed by similar
events in South Korea and Japan.
The study was carried out by independent survey consultant Oracle Added Value
and included interviews with 340 international exhibitors and trade visitors at
FILMART, which is being held this week in Hong Kong.
Buyers said they planned to source more than half their films and digital and
TV entertainment products from Hong Kong. They revealed that South Korea and
Japan were second and third sourcing choices.
The positive views of the respondents were underlined by the huge turnout to
the two events.
HAF attracted 616 investors from around the world this year, 25per cent up on
last year, and more than 630 appointments were arranged for investors to meet
the directors of 25 selected film projects.
FILMART drew 400 exhibitors and close to 4,000 buyers, the highest attendance
in its 10-year history.
The survey described the Chinese mainland as Hong Kong's "promised land" for
market growth.
The majority of respondents said Hong Kong was the best place for overseas
film companies and entrepreneurs to meet their Chinese mainland counterparts to
discuss co-productions and marketing matters.
The survey showed that Hong Kong's action movies were still the biggest
money-earners, followed by comedy, horror and drama.
FILMART and HAF are part of the eight events featured in the current
Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2006, which started on March 20 and will run until
April 19.