The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (HKETO San Francisco) celebrated Chinese New Year along with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) at a spring reception held on March 6 in Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles time).
 
     Addressing over 200 guests at the Petersen Automotive Museum, the Director of HKETO San Francisco, Ms Jacko Tsang, said that Hong Kong’s economy has revived from the pandemic and the Government is making strides to accelerate the city’s economic development across different sectors.
 
      “On tourism, from leading regional and international trade fairs to world-class arts, culture and sports competitions and shows, we will create and attract a continuous flow of new and inviting experiences to Hong Kong,” she said.
 
      “The year 2024 kicked-off with the 17th Asian Financial Forum. In the coming months, we will welcome LIV Golf Hong Kong, Art Basel Hong Kong Show, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens and the finale of the electric motorsport E1 World Championship. I hope that you may have an opportunity to experience one of these events, or many others, this year,” she added.
 
     The Director, Americas of the HKTB, Mr Michael Lim, spoke at the event on the transformative developments taking place recently in Hong Kong. In his presentation, he reflected how Hong Kong, like the mythical dragon, is dynamic, culturally rich, confident, charismatic, and resilient. This was showcased with events taking place in Hong Kong, and in clips from two television shows recently filmed in the city: “Field Trip with Curtis Stone” and “Canvasing the World”. The HKTB also hosted a lucky draw at the event. One winner was awarded an art piece by renowned painter Sean Diediker, featured in “Canvasing the World”, inspired by the Tai Hang fire dragon dance.
 
     The spring reception ended with a lively performance by the RedBricks harmonica ensemble from Hong Kong. This concluded HKETO San Francisco’s Chinese New Year celebrations in the western United States.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (HKETO San Francisco) is supporting the “Sammo Hung: From Stuntman to Star” film series currently screening at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (the Academy Museum) in Los Angeles from May 5 to 27 (Los Angeles time). Presented by the Academy Museum, the series celebrates Hung’s varied career as a star, director and producer.
 
     A major force in the Hong Kong film industry, Hung has amassed around 200 acting credits, with more than 70 of them in leading roles. He has over 60 credits as an action director and more than 30 as a director. The founder of four production companies, he also oversaw over 30 films as a producer. The series features a selection of 12 films that Hung was involved with from the 1980s to the 1990s, including martial arts and action film classics such as “Project A”, “Pedicab Driver”, “Mr. Nice Guy” and more.
 
     Delivering remarks at the opening reception on May 5 (Los Angeles time), the Director of HKETO San Francisco, Ms Jacko Tsang, thanked the Academy Museum for bringing this fantastic series to Los Angeles. “Sammo Hung played a pivotal role in an important era of Hong Kong cinema, and we are very glad that his works are being revisited and recognised,” Ms Tsang said.
 
     The opening screening of “The Millionaires’ Express” with “Pedicab Driver” at the Ted Mann Theater were well received, with a full house of attendees ranging from movie enthusiasts to members of the Hong Kong community in Los Angeles.

     As part of a series of activities in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (HKETO San Francisco) has sponsored the Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF), with the 42nd edition of the annual film festival taking place from November 3 to 27 (Honolulu time). “Spotlight on Hong Kong”, a curated cinema showcase of the city’s movies, is being featured as part of HIFF’s special presentation.

     Each year in “Spotlight on Hong Kong”, a Hong Kong filmmaker is honoured for their work and contributions to the movie industry. This year, HIFF is paying tribute to Josie Ho, an award-winning actress, producer, rock star and culture icon, with the “Josie Ho in Focus Film Series”. “Dream Home”, “Onpaku” and “Finding Bliss: Fire and Ice – The Director’s Cut” are the three selected works that are being screened at HIFF.   

     Meanwhile, “Making Waves – Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema”, the touring film programme marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, is also being featured in the HIFF programme this year under “Spotlight on Hong Kong”.

     Presented by Create Hong Kong in collaboration with the 42nd HIFF and supported by HKETO San Francisco, this edition of the “Making Waves” programme features six brand-new Hong Kong productions and one timeless restored classic. An online photo exhibition showcasing the works of four unit photographers from Hong Kong is also being held in conjunction.

     The “Making Waves” programme began with a screening of “Warriors of Future”, which has just been crowned the all-time Chinese-language box-office champion in the history of Hong Kong cinema. The programme also features two directorial debuts – Coba Cheng’s “Chilli Laugh Story” and Ying Chi-wen’s “Life Must Go On”, two light-hearted comedies – Sunny Chan’s “Table for Six” and Kearen Pang’s “Mama’s Affair”, as well as the healing documentary “Finding Bliss: Fire and Ice – The Director’s Cut” produced by Josie Ho, and a newly restored version of “The Heroic Trio” by Johnnie To.

     Speaking at the Spotlight on Hong Kong Reception on November 5 in Honolulu, the Director of HKETO San Francisco, Ms Jacko Tsang, thanked the HIFF team for once again curating “Spotlight on Hong Kong” as part of its unique presentations. She said, “New talents are crucial for the future development of Hong Kong’s movie industry, and that is why the HKSAR Government has been making substantial investments in nurturing young filmmakers. Funding schemes such as the First Feature Film Initiative and the Scriptwriting Incubation Programme under the Film Development Fund are two successful examples. I am confident that we will continue to bring more Hong Kong films to the US audience in the years to come.” 

     Coba Cheng, the director of “Chilli Laugh Story”, visited Honolulu to meet the audience at the screening and spoke on his experience in making his debut film, which was welcomed by a full house of film lovers.

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco (HKETO San Francisco) celebrated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at the Hong Kong Association of Northern California’s (HKANC) annual charity golf tournament, which also raises funds for scholarships that benefit talented Hong Kong students in northern California.

 

     Titled “HKANC Scholarship Foundation 20th Annual Golf Tournament – In Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR”, the event was held on July 25 (California time) in Pleasanton, California. Nearly 20 golf teams competed in the whole-day event which included a networking reception, dinner and an award ceremony.

 

     Delivering remarks at the event, the Director of HKETO San Francisco, Ms Jacko Tsang, thanked the HKANC for their support for Hong Kong students studying in the San Francisco Bay Area. She encouraged students to explore career opportunities in Hong Kong and highlighted the business opportunities offered by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. “Hong Kong has made big strides over the past 25 years and continues to be a stable, competitive and free economy. The HKSAR Government will be steadfast in honing our unique advantages under ‘one country, two systems’ so as to enhance Hong Kong’s international standing and foster confidence and hope in the community,” she said.

 

     The annual event raises funds for the HKANC Scholarship Foundation which provides scholarships for talented students from Hong Kong in northern California. Since its inception in 2001, the programme has provided more than US$410,000 in scholarships for college students with financial needs. Selected students must excel in academic performance and have made an outstanding contribution to the community.