Closing Ceremony of 26th Hong Kong International Film Festival
Speech by Mr Darwin Chen, Vice-chairman of The Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Date: April 07, 2002

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The curtain is finally coming down on the 26th Hong Kong International Film Festival.

Speaking for myself, I have a particularly deep feeling for the Hong Kong International Film Festival. In the 70's, local cultural and arts activities began to flourish, witnessing the establishment of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre. As the Director of Cultural Services at that time and driven by the belief that cultural and arts activities should work towards a multi-dimensional orientation, I proposed to the Urban Council the setting up of the "Hong Kong International Film Festival" to present to Hong Kong people an array of outstanding films from around the world. Thanks to the support of numerous Councillors including Chairmen Hilton Cheong-Leen and F. K. Hu, the First Hong Kong International Film Festival was launched in 1977.

The first HKIFF used only one venue, the City Hall Theatre, and featured merely 37 films. Nevertheless, the response from the public was overwhelming. Tickets were sold out in four days to an audience totalling 16,000, reflecting the keen interest of the community for film arts programmes at that time. As a result, the Second HKIFF in 1978, with the participation and support of a host of film-workers, saw a significant increase in scope, showing 74 films and 6 video productions as well as the introduction of a special thematic event, "Hong Kong Films In Retrospect".

After 25 years of improvement and perfection, the Hong Kong International Film Festival has now become a significant annual cinematic event in the Asian region. To attract more audience participation, the showing venues have extended to many districts, including the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Hong Kong Arts Centre, the Kwai Tsing Theatre and the Hong Kong Film Archive. This year's Film Festival featured in 12 days over 200 productions, and the total audience was 10 times more than the First Film Festival. Abounding with novelty and innovations, this Festival's programme content also thrilled the audience.

This year, with the Hong Kong Arts Development Council as sole presenter, I was delighted to get involved again in the organisation of the HKIFF after 25 years, and to witness so many innovations, particularly in promoting the development of the local film industry. To me, a milestone achievement was the presentation of the 'HK - Asia Screenings', in collaboration with the Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association. The event attracted over 200 film-makers, producers and distributors worldwide who gathered in Hong Kong for mutual exchanges and screenings. Through this event, exchange and co-operation between the local film sector and those of other countries in the region have been enhanced, Hong Kong's position as a key player in the Asian film market has been reinforced, and we have taken a great stride forward in the international arena.

In retrospect, I must express my sincere gratitude to a group of old friends with whom I had the privilege of working closely in organizing the Hong Kong International Film Festival 20-odd years ago. They include Ms Ada Loke, Ms Judy Jim, Mr Sek Kei, Mr Law Kar, Mr King Hu, Mr Li Han-hsiang, Mr Roger Garcia, Mr Tony Rayns, Mr Prittam Singh, and many others. Without their hard work in the initial years, the Hong Kong International Film Festival could not have achieved its present success. Last but not the least, I must express my thanks for the generous support from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, all collaborative agencies, friends from the film industry and well over 100,000 film-lovers who made up this year's audience. Your enthusiastic participation and valuable contribution have made this year's International Film Festival another great success. On behalf of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, thank you all very much indeed.