SIFFORUM | Hong Kong Cinema’s Industry Veterans Join Rising Talent for Groundbreaking Dialogue

A forum showcasing Hong Kong’s latest outstanding films and new talents was held as part of the Shanghai International Film Festival on Monday, June 15.

Veteran directors and emerging creative teams gathered for a groundbreaking, in-depth dialogue, titled "Hong Kong Cinema: A Legacy in Succession," during which they displayed their strengths and explored new opportunities.

Gary Mak, secretary-general of the Film Development Council, expressed gratitude to the festival for its support of the Hong Kong film industry. Delighted to see numerous Hong Kong films being screened this year, he noted the Council would continue to promote targeted funding programs to sustain film production and cultivate talent for the industry.

During a roundtable session, industry figures including Derek Yee, Stephen Fung, Keane Wong, Wong Hoi, Norris Wong, and Nick Cheuk shared their own career insights.

Derek Yee, a renowned director with four decades of experience, praised young filmmakers' abilities to absorb new knowledge and expressed his delight in collaborating with them. "They allow me to relive experiences I've gone through before," he said. "I can also recapture the original passion and dreams I held when I first started making films."

Stephen Fung pointed out that both a solid script and talented actors are critical for a film to earn market recognition. He advised young directors to actively engage socially to expand their professional networks and connect with more outstanding collaborators.

Wong Hoi and Norris Wong, co-directors of comedy-drama Good Trip, spoke about their experience working with lead actor Nick Cheung and producer Mabel Cheung. Regarding them as highly respectable mentors, the two directors have been deeply impressed by their meticulous and rigorous work ethic, as well as their understanding and support.

The creative teams behind three Hong Kong films – Dog Day Evening, Bird of Paradise, and Unidentified Murder – also shared their filmmaking stories.

Yukki Tai, the lead actor in this year’s Dog Day Evening, explained that the film features only a single shooting location, which required the crew to experiment with ways to develop a rich narrative within limited space.

Joey Wu, making her feature directing debut with Bird of Paradise, revealed that her inspiration came from her own mother, whose life has always been centered around her family. “I want every mother to remember to live for herself,” she said. “No matter how old she is or what role she takes on, she can still pursue the things she loves.”