Hong Kong Cinema Shines at London East Asia Film Festival with Premieres and Awards

London ETO celebrates Hong Kong's cinematic brilliance at London East Asia Film Festival 2024

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO), the Film Development Fund, and the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region supported the London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF) from October 23 to November 3 (London time), which showcased six selected Hong Kong films and hosted three live question and answer sessions with creative talent from Hong Kong. A reception was held following the closing gala screening, bringing together creative talent from Hong Kong and over 50 guests from the local cultural and business sectors.

The Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, addressed the audience at the closing gala ceremony. "The London ETO is proud to partner with LEAFF for the ninth time to shine a spotlight on Hong Kong cinema. Known as the 'Hollywood of the East', Hong Kong boasts a vibrant community of creative and ambitious talent which shares the vision of establishing Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges, as supported by the National 14th Five-Year Plan," he said.

Four creative talents from Hong Kong graced the festivities, with actor Simon Yam and actress Sandra Ng receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and Honorary Award respectively. Director Vincent Chow joined Mr Yam for a Q&A session on November 3, while Ms Ng participated in her own Q&A session on November 2. Director and screenwriter Felix Chong also talked about directing and screenwriting in East Asia during a Q&A session on October 24. Further highlighting Hong Kong's cinematic achievements, "Love Lies" was awarded the Best Film in Competition.

The 11-day festival featured the world premiere of "Little Red Sweet", along with the United Kingdom premieres of "Out of the Shadow", "High Forces" and "Love Lies", as well as "Stuntman" and "Shanghai Blues".

London ETO celebrates Hong Kong's cinematic brilliance at London East Asia Film Festival 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO celebrates Hong Kong's cinematic brilliance at London East Asia Film Festival 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO celebrates Hong Kong's cinematic brilliance at London East Asia Film Festival 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO celebrates Hong Kong's cinematic brilliance at London East Asia Film Festival 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO celebrates Hong Kong's cinematic brilliance at London East Asia Film Festival 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO celebrates Hong Kong's cinematic brilliance at London East Asia Film Festival 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD highly concerned about illegal sale of food such as meat by unlicensed hawkers

In response to a media report on the illegal sale of food items like meat by unlicensed hawkers on Tak Tai Path, Kwai Chung, a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (November 4) said that the department has deep concern and has taken prompt action to combat these illegal acts in order to safeguard public health and food safety.

The FEHD spokesman said that during an enforcement operation in August this year, the FEHD staff arrested an unlicensed hawker for selling frozen meat and sushi illegally. In addition, they arrested three unlicensed hawkers for selling second-hand goods at the same location last week. To prevent similar irregularities, the FEHD has strengthened inspections at the location. Furthermore, the FEHD will organise special operations and conduct blitz inspections at locations across the territory that have frequent illegal hawking activities. The FEHD will take stringent enforcement actions against the illegal sale of food by hawkers. The FEHD also encourages members of the public to report hawkers selling suspicious food to the department.

The spokesman emphasised that under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X), any person who sells restricted food (including frozen meat, sashimi and sushi) without permission commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction. No one should defy the law. The spokesman reminded members of the public that consuming food from unknown sources and expired food, particularly high-risk food like meat, sashimi and sushi, may pose serious food safety risks. Members of the public should refrain from patronising illegal hawkers when purchasing any food.