Editorial | A chance to revive Hong Kong’s film industry
- New, more flexible rules for co-productions introduced by Beijing is an opportunity for local production houses to contribute more to the development of creative industries here and on the mainland
Hong Kong had a well-deserved reputation as the Hollywood of the East. With an annual output of more than 100 films during its heyday, it was said that wherever there were Chinese, there were Hong Kong movies.
Some home-grown filmmakers and artistes have also made it to the international stage, winning top awards and inspiring foreign productions. But the decline of the industry over the past 20 years has seen professionals heading north. Like it or not, the entertainment boom on the mainland has become the lifeline of the local film industry.
In a welcome move, the mainland authorities have decided to relax some of the restrictions on co-productions with Hong Kong filmmakers. This includes lifting the requirement of having mainland-related plots and giving at least one-third of the leading roles to performers from across the border.
Additionally, film companies can apply for incentives to distribute and promote outstanding mainland works and cross-border co-productions in Hong Kong, Macau and overseas. Local productions and filmmakers will be eligible for awards at mainland film festivals. Fees for establishing co-production projects will also be waived.
The changes came after years of lobbying by the local industry and the efforts of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. More importantly, it is a recognition of the central government’s support for the city’s development strategy in the creative industries.