The Hong Kong Independent Short Film and Video Awards (IFVA) officially kicked off their 14th year of competition on Thursday. The platform has been a breeding ground for new local talent. IFVA director Teresa Kwong Pui-see (right) pointed out that director Nelson Yu Lik-wai, this year's only Hong Kong representation at the Venice Film Festival with Plastic City, was a former winner.

She was joined at the press conference by two of this year's judges. Oxide Pang Chun - who with his brother Danny Pang Fat just remade their first movie Bangkok Dangerous for Hollywood - is a perfect choice as arbiter of film talent. We're not so sure about the other guy, Canto-pop singer Juno Mak Chun-lung, who has zero film directing experience. However, he says he's a big fan of horror flicks. Nevertheless, they both had some advice for budding entrants. The visually oriented Pang urged applicants to fully utilise the advantage of the high-definition era, while Mak suggested young artists think outside the box.

'Use your imagination,' Mak emphasised. 'Don't worry that you may not be able to turn your ideas into a film, it's more important to have a great idea. Don't limit yourself. If I wasn't a judge, I'd probably want to submit a work of my own. I think when I retire from music I'd like to be a full-time director.'