Communications, the Media and Information Technology 407
mechanism, the FSO is responsible for coordinating the processing of such applications by other departments. A total of 88 applications for lane closures were approved in 2004. Moreover, after consulting the Transport Department and the Police Force, the FSO issued a set of guidelines in December 2003 to facilitate applications for parking filming vehicles on roads. The FSO coordinates with the departments concerned in vetting the applications. In 2004, the FSO processed 95 applications, all of which were approved.
To promote Hong Kong films in the Mainland and abroad, the FSO facilitated the organisation of Hong Kong Film Festivals in Chongqing, Toronto, Calgary and Washington DC. It also promoted Hong Kong as a choice for location filming at the global expositions 'Locations 2004' and 'Busan International Film Commission & Industry Showcase'. During the year, 176 overseas film crews, including the production teams of the Hollywood film Ultraviolet and the French film La Moústáche, carried out location filming in Hong Kong.
Financial Support
The Film Development Fund (FDF), which operated from April 1999 to March. 2004, provided financial support to a wide variety of projects that enhanced the professional and technological capabilities of the film industry so as to strengthen its competitiveness. During the five-year operation period of the FDF, a total of $48.75 million was granted to support 72 projects conducive to the long-term development of the local film industry. They included training courses, workshops, seminars, consultancy studies, surveys, data compilation, publications, film awards presentation ceremonies, overseas promotional activities and sponsorship for Hong Kong films' participation in overseas film festivals.
The Film Guarantee Fund (FGF) was established in April 2003 on a pilot basis for two years. It aims to assist local film production companies to obtain loans from local lending institutions for film production. It also serves to develop a film financing infrastructure in Hong Kong. So far the FGF has provided loan guarantees totalling $14.17 million for six film projects.
Film Classification System
Hong Kong adopts 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 or 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 materials.
Category IIA and IIB classifications are advisory (i.e. no statutory age restriction is imposed) and are intended to give more information to moviegoers, particularly parents, to help them select films for themselves or their children. Age restriction is mandatory for Category III films.
In 2004, 1 295 films were submitted for classification, compared with 1 555 in 2003. Of these, 469 were classified Category I (three with excisions), 361 Category
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