17th Edition of FILMART Among Expo's Nine Multimedia Events

Hong Kong, Mar 18, 2013 - (ACN Newswire) - Entertainment Expo Hong Kong, Asia's leading entertainment industry gathering, opened today and continues through 13 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and other venues throughout the city.

Entertainment Expo features nine multimedia events, including the 17th edition of the Hong Kong International Film and Television Market (FILMART). Along with film, the expo covers television, digital entertainment and music.

Expo Kick-off Ceremony

Hong Kong SAR Government Financial Secretary John Tsang was guest of honour at this afternoon's Entertainment Expo Hong Kong kick-off ceremony. Also taking part were: Hong Kong SAR Government Legislative Council member Ma Fung Kwok; Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Executive Director Fred Lam; HKTDC Entertainment Industry Advisory Committee Chairman Peter Lam; Hong Kong Entertainment Ambassador Leon Lai; and PRC State Administration of Radio, Film and Television International Cooperation Department Division Chief Zhou Ji Hong.

Along with FILMART, Entertainment Expo features: the Hong Kong International Film Festival, 17 March to 2 April; the Hong Kong Film Awards Presentation Ceremony, 13 April; the sixth Asian Film Awards, 18 March; the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum, 18-20 March; the Hong Kong Asian Pop Music Festival, 22 March; the IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award, which was held 26 February; ifva (Incubator for Film & Visual Media in Asia), 8-21 March; and the sixth Asian VFX and Digital Cinema Summit, 19 March.

New Exhibitor Record

FILMART 2013 welcomes 710 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, up 10 per cent over last year's exhibitor count. More than 6,000 buyers from all over the world are expected to take in the four-day event. Asia's major entertainment industry market, and one of the top three events of its kind in the world, FILMART continues through 21 March at the HKCEC.

For the first time, FILMART includes exhibitor pavilions from Italy, organised by the Italian Trade Commission, and from Canada. Other key pavilions are: UNIFRANCE and IIe de France; UK Film; KOFIC and KOCCA from Korea; UNIJAPAN, Okinawa Film Office, Hokkaido Contents Distribution and JETRO from Japan; the Independent Film and TV Alliance from the United States; and China Film Promotion Inc from the Chinese mainland.

Several other countries are also hosting pavilions: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Israel and Mexico.

Mainland Interest

More than 140 exhibitors from the Chinese mainland are taking part and, for the first time, the Qatar-based Al Jazeera Media Network is a FILMART exhibitor.

Seminar Spotlight

This morning, the first in a series of FILMART conferences - "The Selling and Branding of Chinese-Language Films Internationally" - took place. Other industry conferences over the next three days will examine book-to-screen projects, Asian film industry opportunities and mobile and social games.

TV World

FILMART's TV World, Animation & Digital Entertainment World, and Equipment & Post-Production Services allow industry professionals to tap into all aspects of the international entertainment market. TV World's exhibitor total of more than 250 is up some 30 per cent over last year. The theme of TV World's International Forum, 19 March, is TV programming and the new media, spotlighting the value of new media in engaging audiences.

Cinema Screenings

More than 350 screenings are taking place at FILMART, including over 80 world and international premieres. In addition, the ACE Co-production Lab Hong Kong returns, featuring co-production case studies between the European Union and mainland companies. ACE is organised by the ACE-European Producer Network (Ateliers du Cinema Europeen), with the support of the HKTDC, HAF and Media International (European Union).

Other highlights include the Business of IP Zone, which offers IP trading and management services from lawyers, auditors and IP consultants.

Entertainment Expo Video http://bit.ly/YlOs6O

Websites

Entertainment Expo Hong Kong: www.eexpohk.com
FILMART: www.hktdc.com/hkfilmart

About HKTDC

A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com . Follow us on Google+, Twitter @hktdc, LinkedIn.

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Source: HKTDC

Contact:

HKTDC
Corporate Communication Department
Joe Kainz
Tel: +852 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

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