MUMBAI: Asian international film and television market Filmmart takes place in Hong Kong from 22-24 March 2005. It is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and takes place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Taking Filmmart's platform by storm are 37 French film companies and film commissions, occupying more than 200sqm of exhibition space. French companies taking part include Unifrance, Film France, the French Association of Producers of Films and Audiovisual Programmes, Ile De France Film Commission, Invest in France Agency and TV France International. France will have a celebration French Dayon 23 March 2005.
French participation in this year's Filmmart doesn't stop there. Ecran Total editor Franck Priot will be chairing one of Filmart's key seminars entitled Franco-Chinese Cinema Partnerships, complementing the current cultural celebrations linking France and China. One panel will discuss the subject Making films together : what do we have in common?. The second panel discussion will look at how the two countries can partner as far as locations, infrastructures, and know-how tools are concerned.
HKTDC director of service promotion Raymond Yip, enthused, "This is a very good sign for Hong Kong and Asia that the French film and television business community is looking east again. This is by far the largest delegation of film and television professionals that have descended upon Asia from France. I am certain that 2005 will be a turning point in the growing interest of Hong Kong as a film and entertainment capital."
Running alongside Filmmart is the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF). Here exhibitors with production-ready film projects vie for financing. This year, 28 projects have been selected for presentation from more than 200 submissions by filmmakers and producers across Asia. This specialised industry event is co-organised by HKTDC and the Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories Motion Picture Industry Association.
Both Filmmart and Haf are anchor events within the inaugural Entertainment Expo Hong Kong. Entertainment Expo, from 22 March - 6 April 2005. This mega entertainment event will bring together film and television programming, film financing, a film festival, film awards, music and digital entertainment..
