Press Releases

HKBU Academy of Film to focus on the Genesis of Documentary Film-Making in Hong Kong and Beyond

Realistic and also often riveting, the region's documentary films boast a unique lineage. The Academy of Film under the School of Communication of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) will host a conference devoted to examining the forces that influenced the region's documentary film tradition.

Scheduled for 9-10 January (Monday to Tuesday) at CVA 104, HKBU Communication and Visual Arts Building, 5 Hereford Road, Kowloon Tong, and organised by the Academy of Film, this year's conference is entitled "Public Service Documentary Film-making in Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Film Unit and Radio Television Hong Kong; and the Influence of the Griersonian and British Colonial official film tradition on the Region and Beyond".

Emphasis will be given to four aspects of the documentary tradition: the making of public service documentaries in the territory; colonial film units from 1940-1970; John Grierson's impact on local documentary films and the history of Hong Kong's documentary films.

Distinguished international film, communications and history scholars from many universities will discuss their latest research and explore the advantages and problems posed by the study important of this important genre. The keynote address will be given by Professor Brian Winston, Lincoln Chair of Communications, at Lincoln University.

For a complete list of speakers and topics, please visit: http://net3.hkbu.edu.hk/~docofilm/2012/

The Academy of Film is committed to illuminating this special niche of film-making, which has relevance, popularity and a rich tradition in Hong Kong. In keeping with this commitment, this is the second such forum the Academy has organised.

As an art form that better than any other vividly reflects the record of our times, documentary films provide an unmatched resource in the search to learn how we arrived at where we are. Part conversation, part history lesson, and partially a trip to the cinema, the panel of experts will unravel the cinematic link that ties together such fascinating and diverse topics as entertainment, post-World War Two geo-politics, Hong Kong's heritage of film-making, and Asian and African colonial policy.

For enquires, please contact Professor Ian Aitken at iwaitken@hkbu.edu.hk