Astounding Success for Hong Kong Films at Cannes   The 59th Cannes Film Festival, which took place from May 16 – 27, proved to be a big success for Hong Kong cinema. A range of Hong Kong films, of a variety of genres, have successfully concluded deals at Cannes, with many of the business leads initiated at the March FILMART & HAF.       Hong Kong film companies that concluded deals at Cannes include: Milkyway Image (HK) Ltd Buyers from Australia, Europe and the Americas picked up Election 2, directed by Johnnie To. Election 2 is also expected to release in France during July and in the US later this year, supported by strong publicity campaigns. Emperor Motion Pictures Rob-B-Hood, directed by Benny Chan and starring Jackie Chan, has concluded sales agreements through Emperor Motion Pictures along with several of their own projects and other productions for which they acted as sales agents. Buyers of Emperor Motion Pictures portfolio span Asia, Western & Eastern Europe, the Middle East and South America. Mandarin Films Distribution Co. Ltd. Dragon Tiger Gate (HAF 2005), directed by Wilson Yip and distributed by Mandarin Films Distribution has attracted numerous buyers, including Japanese giant Gaga Communications. Media Asia Entertainment Group Limited Confession of Pain, directed by Andrew Lau, recorded encouraging sales with buyers from the Chinese mainland, Japan, France, Greece, Romania and Croatia. Johnnie To's Exiled also secured buyers from Japan, Romania and Croatia. Sundream Motion Pictures A Battle of Wits, 49 Days and Eye in the Sky were picked up by Sahamongkol Films of Thailand, while a Brazilian video production house also picked up 49 Days and Eye in the Sky. Sundream also managed to secure a co-production agreement with Huayi Brothers Film of the Chinese mainland at Cannes for the US$ 16 million production for Howling Arrow, to be directed by Sammo Hung.   Various buyers of Hong Kong films included those from Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Chinese mainland, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, Romania, Russia, Spain, Thailand, UK, USA and Middle Eastern nations.     FILMART & HAF Prove to be the Ideal Prelude to Cannes   FILMART & HAF have proved to be important film markets for Asia, as many companies utilised the extensive trade platform to kick-start business leads before wrapping deals at Cannes.   Mandarin Films Distribution began their negotiations with foreign buyers at FILMART before concluding their deals at Cannes. Howling Arrow also received a great deal of attention at FILMART before entering into a co-production agreement at Cannes. Universe has also managed to further co-operation agreements started at FILMART. Mr. Alvin Lam confirmed that he struck deals with many countries during FILMART, completing even more during Cannes. Joseph Lai, CEO of International Finance Development Films and Arts Ltd also said that negotiations he commenced during FILMART was signed and sealed at Cannes in regards to the selling of the distribution rights for 29 animation projects.   FILMART is once again proving to be Asia’s most significant film market. Hong Kong Pavilion a Hit at Cannes   The Hong Kong Pavilion at the Village International was a big success at this year’s Marche du Film at Cannes. Over 100 press interviews and business meetings were arranged, attracting more than 1,500 trade visitors. Hong Kong companies and filmmakers conducted their business meetings, networking and promotion events at the Hong Kong Pavilion which provided core business facilities, media support, meeting space as well as wall space for trailer screenings and promotional materials to be distributed. Moreover, the networking sessions, “Dim Sum Hours”, at the Pavilion was a hit with international visitors. Please click here to view some snapshots of Hong Kong Cinema at Cannes! For previous newsletters, please visit www.hkfilmart.com/haf/newsletter.htm.       Copyright © 2000-2006 Hong Kong Trade Development Council. All rights reserved. 38/F, Office Tower, Convention Plaza, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Terms of Use | Privacy Statement