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Some members of the film industry refused to offer the government any advice or opinion on the expansion of the Avenue of Stars as they did not want to endorse the controversial public-private partnership.
The South China Morning Post learned that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department held a closed door invitation-only meeting yesterday with some members of Hong Kong’s film industry to consult them on the plan.
It is the third consultation meeting that the government has staged since the controversy erupted in August.
READ MORE: Lights out for Avenue of Stars as iconic Hong Kong site set to shut down for three years despite public outcry
Shu Kei, chair of the school of film and television at the Academy for Performing Arts, who attended the meeting, said only a handful of industry figures and representatives from a few industry associations, including the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild, the Society of Film Editors and the Hong Kong Film Arts Association, were invited.
Shu said he was invited to attend the meeting only one week ago.
“[The department] claimed that it wanted to consult the industry about the design of the expanded Avenue of Stars, but they did not bring up the background of the project, future execution and how it will be managed,” Shu said.

He said those attending were briefed about the design, and one proposal was to house all film-related elements in a 3,000 sq ft film museum. “But they were citing references to the Shanghai Film Museum, which has 75,000 sq ft,” he said.
Shu said he urged participants not to offer any ideas on the current design. “We must clarify why we have this plan ... why we were consulted only after the decisions were made? Why did the government hand this to New World?” he said. “If we offer any opinion, it would make it look like we endorse the plan even though we don’t.”
“The biggest stakeholder of this harbourfront is the public. The department claimed there would be a public consultation only in January,” Shu added.
It is understood that New World Development contacted the Hong Kong Film Awards Association last year regarding the proposal.
A source close to the association said it supported the idea to improve the facilities on the Avenue of Stars.

“We also asked questions like whether the developer got support from the government,” said the source. “But apparently the plan made public today was different from the one we were told about last year.”
The Victoria Waterfront Concern Group will submit a petition letter to Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor over the Avenue of Stars saga and then file a complaint with the Legislative Council today.
The department said focus group meetings were organised this month and last to gauge opinion from local groups, young people, the film and tourism sectors and other concern groups. The department said the Hong Kong Film Awards Association and other industry groups also attended the meeting yesterday.
The department will seek public opinions from October 26 to November 6 at the Cultural Centre, the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, City Hall and Shatin Town Hall.


Some film industry representatives boycott controversial Avenue of Stars consultation

Shu Kei urged meeting participants not to give views on the current design. Photo: SCMP

Shu Kei urged meeting participants not to give views on the current design. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Shu Kei urged meeting participants not to give views on the current design. Photo: Gary Cheung 

The Avenue of Stars is now closed for redevelopment. Photo: Nora Tam

An artist's impression of what the new Avenue of Stars will look like. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Lights out for Avenue of Stars as iconic Hong Kong site set to shut down for three years despite public outcry

Tourists look on as a Chinese actor mirrors the fighting skills of film icon Bruce Lee at the Avenue of Stars, which offers great views of the Hong Kong skyline. Photo: Samantha SinPhoto: Edward Wong

Tourists pose with statues on the Avenue of Stars, which offers great views of the Hong Kong skyline. Photo: Samantha Sin

An artist’s impression of the proposed food hub on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. Photo: SCMP Pictures

The project would add three new buildings to the waterfront, where New World Development is a major business owner. Photo: May Tse

The Leisure and Culture Services Department and New World estimated that pedestrian flow on the now-quiet eastern section of the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade would increase by more than 10 at peak hours after the construction of more attractions - from the present 200 people per hour to 3,000. Photo: Edmond So

A girl poses for picture with a plaque bearing pop singer Leon Lai-ming's handprints on the Avenue of Stars. Photo: Sam Tsang

Many tourists come to the avenue to pose with Bruce Lee's iconic statue on the harbourfront. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong developer to start revamp of Avenue of Stars next month, despite doubts over expansion plan

The renovation work to revamp Tsim Sha Tsui's Avenue of Stars will begin next month. Photo: Edward Wong

Hong Kong government pledges consultation on controversial Avenue of Stars revamp

The government has pledged to come up with plans to consult the public on the controversial proposal to revamp the Avenue of Stars. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong government defends controversial Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront redevelopment plan 

A general view of Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront. Photo: Felix Wong

The Bruce Lee statue on the Avenue of Stars is one of the attractions that would be temporarily unavailable if it is closed. Photo: Felix Wong 

The proposed project would affect much of the existing waterfront. Photo: SCMP Pictures

A film industry exhibition venue, as illustrated in this artist's impression, is among the proposed new buildings. Photo: SCMP Pictures

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