Review of Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), 2016-2017, China

The Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), to promote Hong Kong as the regional hub for distribution and production of film, TV programs and entertainment-related products in Asia pacific. As the largest of its kind in Asia, the event see the release and promotion of thousands film and television productions to potential buyers from around the world.

FILMART is one of eight events taking place as part of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong, coordinated by the HKTDC, covering a global mix of film, TV, music and digital entertainment. FILMART is now recognised as the world’s foremost film and TV marketplace facilitating important deals in film financing, distribution, production and post-production, and where cross-media and cross-sector collaborations are promoted.

In addition to the exhibition, other attractions of FILMART include networking activities, seminars, and screenings. Promoting digital entertainment is a major feature of FILMART. Sponsored by CreateHK, the Hong Kong Animation & Digital Entertainment pavilion has gathered more than 30 local digital entertainment companies to showcase their latest services, including 2D/3D animation, digital special effects, mobile apps, smartphone games and multimedia designs.

Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) 2017
The 21st edition of the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) sprang into action for a four-day run at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. A premier trading platform for the international entertainment industry, this year’s FILMART welcomes more than 800 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions.

In addition to major film companies in Hong Kong, many overseas exhibitors have set up pavilions at FILMART to promote their local entertainment productions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, Korea, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, India and Vietnam. More than 330 exhibitors from 15 Belt and Road countries are also taking part in FILMART to tap global opportunities. These exhibitors include those from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Poland, Indonesia, Cambodia, Turkey and Mongolia.

Multiple Hong Kong film companies are returning to FILMART, including China 3D Digital Entertainment Ltd, Distribution Workshop, Edko Films, Emperor Entertainment Group, Media Asia, Mega-Vision Project Workshop Ltd, Mei Ah Entertainment Group, One Cool Pictures Ltd, Pegasus Entertainment and TVBI. Fantastic Television Limited, Digital Domain and Fox Networks Group are making their debut to promote their latest entertainment productions to global buyers.

The Chinese mainland’s entertainment industry is developing fast and garnering more international attention. This year, FILMART welcomes more than 220 exhibitors from the mainland, the largest number in the event’s history. Many cities and provinces, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong, Sichuan, Guangdong and Hangzhou, are returning with regional pavilions, and the governments of Ningbo and Fujian are joining the show for the first time.

Digital entertainment is another highlight of FILMART this year. The Hong Kong Animation & Digital Entertainment pavilion, sponsored by CreateHK, gathers more than 30 local digital entertainment companies featuring their services, including digital production and special effects, post production, mobile apps, smartphone games and multimedia design, such as 360-degree photography and virtual reality (VR).

Documentaries are a new focus at this year’s FILMART. In addition to more than 100 exhibitors showcasing their works, there also be a seminar titled “Opportunity for Documentaries in Asia”, where moderator Ruby Yang, winner of the Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject, will discuss relevant topics with global industry leaders.

A number of screenings of award-winning documentaries are being held during the event for participants to gain a deeper understanding of the genre. They include My Voice, My Life and In Search of Perfect Consonance, directed by Ruby Yang, and The Chinese Mayor, which won Best Documentary at the 52nd Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival.

In addition, two seminars related to digital production and special effects held, including “Digital Entertainment Summit 2017: The Past and Future of Filmmaking, from Content and VFX Perspectives” and “The 10th Asian VFX and Digital Cinema Summit 2017”. Industry experts will discuss the opportunities arising from the rapid development of related technologies and share their insights.

Three seminars held during FILMART to examine topics related to the mainland market and provide industry participants with the latest market intelligence and analysis, including “What’s Next for the Chinese Film Market?”, “China Animation: Ready to Hit the International Market?” and the “Sino-Foreign Co-produced Films Summit”.

Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) 2016
The 20th Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), FILMART featured 800 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and regions, setting a new record for the event held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The show welcomed more than 7,300 buyers during the four-day fair.

FILMART is one of the founding events of Entertainment Expo Hong Kong. The Entertainment Expo umbrella includes 10 events covering film, TV, digital entertainment and music. FILMART is now recognised as one of the world’s foremost film and TV marketplaces, promoting cross-media and cross-sector collaborations and facilitating film financing, distribution, production and post-production.

FILMART has long been an important platform for the local entertainment industry to release new productions and announce new development strategies. More than 70 events, including seminars, press conferences and networking activities were held during this year’s FILMART. In addition to the participation of leading film companies such as Media Asia Distribution Limited, Mei Ah Entertainment Group Limited, Emperor Motion Pictures and Sun Entertainment Culture Limited; the Flagship Entertainment Group – a joint venture between Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), CMC Holdings and Warner Bros.

Entertainment Inc. unveiled its logo and line-up of films. The fair facilitated cross-border cooperation as well, with Malaysian exhibitor Animasia Studio inking a deal with the mainland’s Zero One Animation at FILMART to co-produce the 3D CGI film Chuck Chicken a.k.a. Kungfu Chicken. The animated TV series was a big hit when it previously aired on the Disney Channel in Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The film, Chuck Chicken – The Movie, has a budget of US$8 million and is slated for release in early 2018.

Major film industry players in Hong Kong keenly support FILMART as their prime trading platform, which is reflected through the repeat participation of major industry players including Pegasus Motion Pictures, Emperor Motion Pictures, Media Asia Distribution, Mega-Vision Project Workshop, Sun Entertainment, Mei Ah Entertainment, One Cool Film Production, China 3D Digital Entertainment, Distribution Workshop, TVBI, PCCW Media and MediaQuiz Production and Distribution.

The enormous size and potential of the Chinese mainland’s film market is captured at FILMART, with mainland exhibitors comprising the largest country of origin participation at the fair. A number of mainland provinces and cities have set up regional pavilions, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong, Sichuan, Guangdong and Hangzhou. Chongqing is staging its regional pavilion at FILMART for the first time, showcasing nearly 35 productions from around 10 producers and introducing Fuling, Yubei and Wulong as film locations. Blockbusters such as Transformers, Curse of the Golden Flower and House of Flying Daggers were shot on location in Chongqing.

Promoting digital entertainment is a major feature of FILMART. Sponsored by CreateHK, the Hong Kong Animation & Digital Entertainment pavilion has gathered more than 30 local digital entertainment companies to showcase their latest services, including 2D/3D animation, digital special effects, mobile apps, smartphone games and multimedia designs. Together with the exhibitors at the Animation & Digital Entertainment World pavilion, 200 digital entertainment producers are taking part in this year’s FILMART, including companies from France, Italy, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.

FILMART also featured a series of heavyweight speakers from the realms of film, TV, digital entertainment, post-production, animation and music. Among the guest speakers were the filmmakers of Taken, The Bullet Vanishes, and of animation works Monster Hunt, One Piece, McDull and Attack on Titan.

In addition to the exhibition, other attractions of FILMART include networking activities, seminars, and screenings. The programme of this year’s FILMART is enriched through collaboration with different organisations, and includes a variety of industry forums featuring leaders in the fields of film, TV, digital entertainment, post production, animation and music to share their insights. Among the guest speakers are the filmmakers of Mad Max: Fury Road, Taken, The Bullet Vanishes, and of animation works Monster Hunt, One Piece, McDull and Attack on Titan

HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong’s businesses. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world. With 50 years of experience, the HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in international markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room.