Set to run till 4 April with over 240 titles from 66 countries and regions, the 40th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF40) opened tonight at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre with the World Premiere of Chongqing Hot Pot and Asian Premiere of Trivisa. Chongqing Hot Pot is directed by critically acclaimed director YANG Qing, starring CHEN Kun, BAI Baihe, QIN Hao and YU Entai. The film is a comedy about three high school classmates opening a hotpot restaurant in Chongqing and turning out as an epic failure. Trivisa is directed by three local and talented young directors, Frank HUI, Vicky WONG and Jevons AU, starring Richie JEN, LAM Ka-tung, Jordan CHAN. The film is regarded as a return to the best Hong Kong gangster noir that Johnnie TO excelled at in the 90’s.
Directors and star-studded cast of the two opening films, including director YANG Qing, star CHEN Kun, BAI Baihe and QIN Hao; director Frank HUI, Vicky WONG, Jevons AU, producer YAU Nai-hoi, cast Richie JEN, LAM Ka-tung and NG Chi-hung were all present to kick off the 15-day festival.
Dr. Wilfred WONG, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS), attended the event with officiating guest Mr. Gregory SO, GBS, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. Dr. Wong said that “The Hong Kong International Film Festival has reached a remarkable milestone of 40th anniversary this year. Over the years, the Festival has been dedicated to showcasing the latest works and classics of cinema from all over the world. By nurturing and discovering emerging talents, the Festival continues to prove it is a major event in the international cultural calendar. We are pleased to bring film talents to Hong Kong to meet our local audiences and are grateful for the support of our government, sponsors, partners, competition juries, filmmakers, film companies, distributors, archives, the press and many other friends for their unwavering support throughout the years.”
HKIFF40 will be held from 21 March 2016 to 4 April 2016, with over 240 titles from 66 countries and regions, 63 of which are world, international or Asian premieres. The full programme is available at www.hkiff.org.hk. Tickets for the public can now be booked online at www.hkiff.org.hk and at all URBTIX outlets.