If you want to work in the film industry in Hong Kong, you should consider a higher diploma in film from Hong Kong Baptist University’s Academy of Film. The school is located right in Hong Kong, home of one of the largest motion picture industries in the world. In this two-year program, students get the theoretical and hands-on knowledge that they need to pursue careers in film and television. HKBU began with a few courses in film and television in the 1970s, eventually establishing a Department of Cinema and Television in 1991. The Academy of Film was established in 2009 to offer a professional program in film (higher diploma), a bachelor degree program, and two master degree programs. The Academy also supports academic and creative endeavors of faculty and resident artists. The academy is also well-equipped with top-notch audio and visual facilities, including three multimedia HD screening theaters, two TV studios, photography darkroom, digital photography laboratory, four sound recording studios, three sound booths, six HD editing labs, 110 digital video editing workstations, two digital animation labs, and many other professional shooting equipment. In addition, the library has more than a million books and audiovisual holdings. All students at HKBU’s Academy of Film have the same coursework the first year to lay down a well-rounded foundation upon which to build their knowledge for several specialization tracks. The options available in the higher diploma program include script writing, directing, production techniques, post-production, and acting. At the end of the course, all students are required to submit a final project before graduation, according to the requirements of their respective specialization. Upon completion of the higher diploma program, graduates may opt to continue their studies in the Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing for Film, TV, and New Media or the Bachelor of Science in Film and Media Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University. Faculty at the Academy of Film are industry experts and practitioners from all aspects of film and television production, specializing in many areas including: creative writing, photography, cinematography, film and video directing, editing, audio production, sound design, digital media, film theory, criticism and history, and television studies. Classes are primarily workshops and projected-based learning, and complemented by lectures, tutorials, and seminars. Students are also encouraged to partake of the optional internship program, which can give them practical experience, giving them a competitive edge, and enhance networking opportunities. Graduates with a higher diploma in film will be prepared to become independent filmmakers and take on production related positions. In script writing, students learn to research and develop story ideas in order to write full scripts. Students enrolled in the directing option will learn about organization of the production process and visualization of creative ideas. Students in the track for production techniques will study cinematography, lighting and art direction. In post-production, students learn techniques of film editing and sound mixing. Students interested in acting for film and television will learn theory and partake in workshops to improve and hone their acting skills--such as voice and speech, movement and acting in front of the camera. Upon graduation, students will have a wide range of knowledge and first-hand experience across all positions in the film industry, whether in front of or behind the camera. In the higher diploma film program at HKBU, students will leave with specialized knowledge about the latest trends in local and foreign industries, as well as techniques in film production. Film students will have enhanced creativity and the necessary skillset required to be competent leaders in the film industry in Hong Kong. *Image courtesy of worradmu / FreeDigitalPhotos.net