AwardsWatch

Recognition of Asia emerging directors and remarkable film projects

Hong Kong, 21 March, 2018 - The 16^th Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) concluded successfully today after the three-day investment forum and awards ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event gathered filmmakers, leading film financiers and industry professionals across the world to witness the first step towards their dreams. A total of 11 awards were presented to these promising and remarkable film projects.

HAF is the leading international event honouring excellence on the emerging filmmakers in Asia and offering them valuable opportunities to meet with industry professionals. The three-day event attracted leading film financiers, producers, distributors and buyers across the world, connecting them with talented filmmakers through business meetings and networking events. This year, HAF continues to organize WIP Lab to help filmmakers secure post-production funds, sales agents and film festival support. HAF will again partner with Marche du Film of Cannes Film Festival to present the “HAF Goes to Cannes” program, offering unprecedented screening opportunities and global exposure at the festival market in May for promising film projects seeking potential distribution partners and festival screenings.

HAF has been actively promoting the development of Asian film productions and it has built an important foundation for talented filmmakers to realise their visions. Throughout the years, HAF projects have found global success. This year, the 11 award winners were selected from a total of 25 HAF and 10 WIP Lab film projects. Many of the films touch on gender, family and contemporary social issues, while some others give voice to minorities in society. The total value of the awards presented amounted to approximately HK$1,400,000 (US$180,000) in cash and value in-kind, thanks to the generous support of various sponsors and partners.

1. HAF Awards (Presented by Create HK, Hong Kong Film Development Fund and HAF)

Mr. Wellington Fung, Assistant Head of Create Hong Kong, kicked off the ceremony by presenting two HAF Awards to Love in the Valley of Daughters (Hong Kong) and Saving One Who was Dead (Czech Republic) for Hong Kong Project and non-Hong Kong Project categories respectively. Each project received a cash prize of HK$150,000 (approx. US$19,200) in recognition of their originality and creativity.

2. mm2 Award (Presented by mm2 Asia Limited)

Still Human (Hong Kong) was honoured with the mm2 Award which aims to encourage Chinese-language film projects that exhibit good commercial and artistic quality. The winner was selected by the representatives of mm2 Asia Ltd. and received the cash award of HK$100,000 (approx. US$12,800).

3. Wanda WIP Lab Award (Presented by Wanda Pictures)

All WIP Lab Projects are eligible to compete for the award. The Wanda WIP Lab Award was presented the winner selected by the executives of Wanda Pictures. The cash award of HK$100,000 (approx. US$12,800) was awarded to From Black and White to Shades of Grey (China).

4. Wouter Barendrecht Award (Presented by Wouter Barendrecht Film Foundation, Create HK and Hong Kong Film Development Fund)

Dedicated to the memory of the late Wouter Barendrecht, the renowned film producer and one of the founders of HAF, the Wouter Barendrecht Award went to Let Me Rest in Peace (Japan). This cash award of HK$50,000 (approx.US$6,400) recognises a project by a director under 35 who has not made more than three feature films.

5. Network of Asian Fantastic Films Award (Presented by Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival)

The Network of Asian Fantastic Films Award was given to IMAH (working title) (Indonesia, France) with sponsored hospitality of US$2,700 (approx. HK$21,000) to participate in the 2018 Network of Asian Fantastic Films project market.

6. Wutianming Post-Production Award (Presented by China Film Foundation-Wutianming Fund for Young Talents)

The Wutianming Post-Production Award is to encourage and support young film talents. An in-kind award of RMB 300,000 (approx. HK$365,000) was given to Stonewalling (China), which will be offered post-production support by Shanghai Leading Digital Post.

7. White Light Post-Production Award (Presented by White Light Studio)

White Light Studio is designed to promote cinematic innovation and promising Asian directors. The two in-kind awards went to Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash (Indonesia) from HAF and Mosaic Portrait (China) from WIP Lab. Each project will be offered post-production services valued at US$15,000 (approx. HK$117,300) at their studio in Bangkok, Thailand.

8. G2D Post Production Award (Presented by G2D)

G2D will sponsor two in-kind awards for The Big Picture (South Korea) from HAF and AGANAI - The Atonement (Japan) from WIP Lab. Each winning project will be sponsored US$15,000 (approx. HK$117,300) towards a sound package for a film including foley, sound design, dialogue editing, atmosphere and a final mix.

9. HAF Goes to Cannes (Presented by Nicefilm)

“HAF Goes to Cannes” presents opportunities for filmmakers to look for sales agents, distributors and film festivals. Beijing Nicefilm Technology Co. Ltd., a TV and film production company in China, will provide a traveling subsidy of HK$100,000 in total to the projects selected for “HAF Goes to Cannes”, including The Man Who Surprised Everyone (Russia, France, Estonia), The Pencil (Russia), Sister (Bulgaria), The Sorcerer (Panama) and Still Human (Hong Kong).

Mr. Jacob WONG, Curator of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and Director of the HAF said, “The 16^th Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum was a great success. Thanks to the support from the fellow filmmakers and partners across the world. Many shortlisted and award-winning projects were very anticipating. We will continue to seek out and provide new opportunities for filmmakers in the region and strive to provide sufficient resources and unprecedented opportunities for the next generation talented filmmakers.”