XN000022-1991-06-19 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1991

HK-CANADA FILM CO-PRODUCTION MOU SIGNED

*

HONG

KONG AND THE GOVERNMENT

THE GOVERNMENT OF

OF CANADA SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) то FACILITATE FILM AND TELEVISION CO-PRODUCTION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SIGNING THE MOU ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS THE ON BEHALF SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES 80. SIGNING

FOR CANADA IN OF THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT WAS THE COMMISSIONER

HONG KONG, MR JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM.

DURING THE

OPENING OF THE

SPEAKING AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY CANADIAN FILM FESTIVAL, MR SO SAID THE MOU WOULD PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR LOCAL AND CANADIAN PRODUCERS TO POOL THEIR CREATIVE, TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO CO-PRODUCE GOOD QUALITY FILMS AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES.

"LOCAL CO-PRODUCERS CAN EXPECT TO BENEFIT

ALSO RESOURCES WITH THEIR CANADIAN COUNTERPARTS AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDING AVAILABLE IN CANADA FOR MR SO SAID.

FROM POOLING INDIRECTLY FROM CO-PRODUCTIONS,

"THE COMMUNITY WILL PARTICULARLY WELCOME THE MOU BECAUSE THE ΤΟ A GREATER HONG KONG AUDIENCE CAN, AS A CONSEQUENCE, LOOK FORWARD CHOICE OF GOOD QUALITY FILMS AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES.

"THE MOU IS SIGNIFICANT TO HONG KONG NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THESE BECAUSE IT MORE TANGIBLE BENEFITS BUT ALSO

REINFORCES HONG KONG'S STANDING IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND EMPHASISES THE STRONG INCREASING LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA, MR SO ADDED.

PARTIES

ENTER WISHING TO UNDER THE MOU, INTERESTED CO-PRODUCTION PROJECT WILL HAVE TO APPLY TO A CERTIFYING BODY.

AND

INTO

A

DISCUSSIONS ARE NOW UNDERWAY BETWEEN THE HONG KONG

LOCAL TELEVISION AND MOTION THE COMMISSION FOR CANADA AND

OF OPERATION

THE INDUSTRY TO DRAW UP PROCEDURES FOR THE BODY.

GOVERNMENT,

PICTURE CERTIFYING

A ONE-DAY SEMINAR TO BRIEF THE LOCAL FILM AND TELEVISION OPPORTUNITIES FOR CO-PRODUCTION WILL BE INDUSTRY ON THE

HELD ON COMMON ROOM OF THE ACADEMY FOR SATURDAY (JUNE 22) AT 3 PM IN THE PERFORMING ARTS.

THE SEMINAR WILL BE CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE VISITING BRITISH

THE COLUMBIA FILM COMMISSION OF CANADA

RECREATION AND CULTURE

BRANCH.

AND

1

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