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HKBU launches new initiative to encourage filmmaking

The Academy of Film (AF) of the School of Communication has launched a first-of-its-kind film project with an aim of turning the brilliant ideas of students and graduates into feature and micro films by providing them with financial support, filming equipment and professional guidance.

To set students on the path of fulfilling their aspirations in film production, AF established "Studio i" in November 2014. This pioneering project is devoted to identifying and nurturing creative talents as well as inculcating students with knowledge of high-quality film production techniques so as to meet industry standards. Studio i also invited prominent film professionals to act as consultants to help students learn more about the latest trends and norms of the industry.

In line with the mission, Studio i invited existing students as well as graduates of classes from 2010 to 2014 to submit their movie ideas and scripts from November 2014 to April 2015. A total of 252 submissions were received.

After the first internal review process, Studio i invited famous film professionals, including Dr Johnnie To, Chief Honorary Consultant of Studio i; well-known producer Mr John Chong; renowned directors Mr Wong Sau-ping and Mr Anthony Chen; and famous scriptwriter Mr Yau Nai-hoi to sit on the judging panel and review the shortlisted scripts.

The panel chose three scripts.

Feature Film Project:
The Lost Juvenile (Name to be confirmed) by Hu Xinyue (Graduate of Cinema and Television)

Micro Film Project:
Man as a Dog (Name to be confirmed) by Diana Lam (Graduate of Professional Programme in Film)
The Good, the Bad, and the Zombie (Name to be confirmed) by Wong Po-yin (Graduate of Cinema and Television)

Dr Johnnie To praised the shortlisted scripts saying that these professional-standard submissions clearly illustrate the potential of the young generation. He also commented that the script of The Lost Juvenile is delicate and professional and he suggested that it could be developed as a Hong Kong-China co-produced film as the latter is where the story is set.

Professor Emilie Yeh, Director of AF, said that the number of submissions received hit a record high compared with similar competitions and the quality of the stories is much higher than expected. “I am glad that quite a few of the submissions were inspired by current social and political issues, such as the cash spill case that happened last Christmas Eve, and creativity was not compromised. In addition, I am pleasantly surprised to see that the work belonging to university students and fresh graduates are well-written and the plots are cohesive and thorough.”

Awardees are now working hard on the pre-production so that the films can be released by 2017. To foster cultural exchange among students and filmmakers worldwide, AF will help to release the films in the territory and submit them for participation in international film festivals.

	Hu Xinyue’s script is appreciated by the judging panel in Feature Film Project.