On June 14, the Hong Kong Cultural and Creative Industries Development Authority (CCIDA) officially announced a film cooperation funding program between Hong Kong filmmakers and Vietnamese filmmakers, along with a number of other cultural cooperation programs.

A delegation from CCIDA also made a working trip to Hanoi to meet with Vietnamese filmmakers, television directors and designers on June 13 to directly introduce the agency's film funding project for Vietnamese filmmakers and promote the Hong Kong Fashion Design Week.

Art films like Phan Dang Di or commercial films like Tran Thanh both have opportunities.

Mr. Gary Mak, representative of CCIDA, said that the Hong Kong-Asia Film Cooperation Funding Programme will fund eight co-production projects between Hong Kong filmmakers and partners from other Asian countries.

Accordingly, Vietnamese filmmakers have the opportunity to receive a funding package of 9 million Hong Kong dollars (about more than 29 billion VND) for each approved film project.

These film projects require one Hong Konger and one Vietnamese in the three roles of producer, director, and screenwriter.

The film production team must ensure that 60% of its staff are Hong Kong people.

Additionally, 30% of post-production costs must be spent in Hong Kong.

Regarding the criteria for Vietnamese directors to be considered for these funded projects, Mr. Gary Mak said priority will be given to directors who have won awards at international film festivals or domestic awards.

Mr. Gary Mak gave an example of director Phan Dang Di "definitely qualified" to participate in reviewing these funding projects.

The finished film will be released wherever it was filmed and there are no revenue requirements.

Regarding Vietnamese directors, Mr. Gary Mak said he really likes films by directors of Vietnamese origin such as Tran Anh Hung, Trinh Thi Minh Ha, or director Phan Dang Di with the film Bi, don't be afraid!, Pham Thien An with the film Inside the golden cocoon...

Praising these art films, Mr. Gary Mak said that CCIDA's funding is for a variety of films, not just art films like those of Tran Anh Hung, Phan Dang Di...

Blockbuster commercial films like those made by Tran Thanh also have a chance to receive funding from this agency.

Celebrating from high fashion to… workwear

Regarding Hong Kong Fashion Design Week, Mr. Gary Mak said it will be held for the first time next November on a large scale, a super fashion event in Asia, focusing on creative elements and promoting joint activities.

This fashion design week will bring together everything from high fashion to workwear, making workwear also a style statement.

Attending the meeting with the CCIDA delegation, designer Cao Minh Tien expressed his joy at having more opportunities for Vietnamese designers, especially traditional costume designers like him, to approach Asian fashion and introduce Vietnamese culture and identity to the international community.

In addition, CCIDA also announced the "CreateSmart - Variety TV Program Initiative", a new program to support Hong Kong TV stations to co-produce variety TV programs with partners in Asian countries, including Vietnam.