COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
189 screens) compared with 22 million at 82 cinemas (with 188 screens) in 1998. The biggest box-office hits for the year included The Ring ($31.2 million), King of Comedy ($29.8 million) and The Mummy ($27.8 million).
Film Classification System
Hong Kong has a three-tier film classification system: Category I (suitable for all ages); Category II, which is subdivided into Category IIA (not suitable for children) and Category IIB (not suitable for young persons and children); and Category III (for persons aged 18 and above only). The objective is to allow adults wide access to films. while protecting persons under the age of 18 from exposure to potentially harmful material.
Category IIA and IIB classifications are advisory (no statutory age restriction is imposed) and are intended to give more information to movie-goers, parents in particular, to help them select films for themselves or their children. Age restriction is mandatory for Category III films.
During the year, 1 408 films were submitted for classification, compared with 1 564 films in 1998. Of these, 294 were classified Category I (none with excisions), 274 Category IIA (two with excisions), 435 Category IIB (45 with excisions), 405 Category III (177 with excisions). Film trailers, instructional films and cultural films intended for public exhibition also require censorship but do not need to be classified into any category. In 1999, 3 711 such items were approved for exhibition.
Film classification standards are kept in line with society's standards by regular surveys of community views and consultation with a statutory panel of advisers, comprising 330 members drawn from a wide cross-section of the populace. The last public opinion survey on the film classification system was conducted in 1998. The Film Censorship Guidelines for Censors were subsequently amended in 1999 in the light of the survey results. Decisions on film classifications may be reviewed by the Board of Review (Film Censorship), a statutory body established under the Film. Censorship Ordinance (Cap. 392). The board comprises nine non-official members appointed by the Chief Executive, and the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting as an ex officio member. There was one review of the censors' decisions in 1999.
Government Support
The Government is committed to providing an environment conducive to the healthy and long-term development of the film industry in Hong Kong. The Film Services Office which was established on
was established on April 1, 1998, under the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority assists and promotes the development of the film industry in Hong Kong by facilitating film production locally and promoting its films here and abroad. The office's mission is to maintain Hong Kong as a major film producing centre and enhance its position as a film trading and service hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Film Services Advisory Committee, established on May 1, 1998, provides a conduit for dialogue between the film industry and the Government, and advises on the work of the Film Services Office. The committee is appointed by the Chief Executive. It comprises the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting who is the chairman, two public officers and nine members who are not officials.
349