The 47th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF47) opens tonight with two sold-out galas at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Asian premiere of Soi Cheang’s Mad Fate and the world premiere of Ann Hui’s Elegies.
The Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, officiated the open ceremony of the annual cinematic extravaganza in the presence of HKIFF47 festival ambassador Aaron Kwok and a host of distinguished guests.
In his opening remarks, Mr Lau noted the public had responded enthusiastically to the first HKIFF following the removal of all pandemic-related restrictions, snapping up more than half of all tickets within hours when they went on sale earlier this month.
Sharing the stage with director Cheang at the opening ceremony was the star-studded cast and crew of Mad Fate, including Elaine Chu and Yau Nai-hoi, Lee Chun-fai, Gordon Lam, Lokman Yeung, Ng Wing-sze, Berg Ng, Peter Chan, Wong Man-wai, Birdy Wong, and Pancy Chan. Meanwhile, director Hui was accompanied by two poets from her documentary Elegies, Huang Canran and Liu Wai-tong, in meeting and greeting the packed audience.
The 12-day HKIFF47, which takes place until 10 April in multiple venues across Hong Kong, features 197 films from 64 countries and regions, including 82 world, international, and Asian premieres. It also marks the return of overseas filmmakers such as Tsai Ming-Liang and Lee Kang-sheng, largely absent from the festival since 2019, to reconnect with the local audience.
The complete HKIFF47 programme and screening schedule are now available through HKIFF’s official website (www.hkiff.org.hk). The public can purchase tickets through URBTIX.
To download more information:
https://usercontent.hkiff.org.hk/Press/HKIFF47
