HK to hold Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2005

A mega entertainment event, "Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2005", will be held next year, Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology John Tsang announced Friday.

The event, to be held from March 22 to April 6, 2005, will bring together under one roof the Hong Kong International Film andTV Market (FILMART), the Hong Kong International Film Festival, the Hong Kong Film Awards Presentation Ceremony, the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum, and the Hong Kong Digital EntertainmentExcellence Awards.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of FILMART 2004, Tsang said that the already strong foundation of Hong Kong's film industry, coupled with the benefits brought about by the Chinese mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, had provided Hong Kong with a solid platform to seize business opportunities arising from multi-media convergence.

"The Entertainment Expo, encompassing different media forms such as film, television, digital entertainment and music, will bean excellent showcase of Hong Kong's artistic talents, technological achievements and entrepreneurial agility," he said.

"By bringing these mega events together, we hope to provide notjust better support for the organization of the activities but, more importantly, to consolidate Hong Kong's strength and our position as the leader in the various facets of the multi-media business."

Tsang said that with concerted efforts of the Government, the industries and supporting organizations like the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the event is expected to become the "Cannes of the East" in the not-too-distant future.

Source: Xinhua