HONG KONG SHORT FILM: NEW ACTION EXPRESS (NAE) is a scheme launched by the Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) and sponsored by Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, aiming to promote excellent Hong Kong short films and videos locally and abroad.

This year NAE continues to engage in the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), which attracts around 9,000 buyers annually in recent years and has been recongnised as one of the largest film industry events in Asia.

The 24th edition of FILMART will run virtually 26-29 August 2020 as “FILMART Online”. Eight Hong Kong short films awarded in overseas film festivals, where local filmmakers’ attendances were supported by NAE, will be showcased on the HKAC online platform to massive amount of film industry practitioners from across the globe twenty-four seven during the whole FILMART 2020 period.

FILMART Online 2020: NEW ACTION EXPRESS Short Film Highlights

26/8-29/8

Viewable on “FILMART Online” platform^

^Accessible to accreditation holders of FILMART Online

This year, eight outstanding titles having been sponsored by CreateHK under NAE to participate in international film festivals or are now again have an opportunity to be presented to distributors, broadcasters, festival organisers and sales agents from around the world. These stories about people from different walks of life telling in incredible film languages will definitely touch the audiences’ heart.

Have a Nice Day

• Special Award, Jahorina Film Festival 2019
• Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival 2020
• 42th Asian American International Film Festival*
• Bali International Film Festival MINIKINO Film Week 2019

Lau Kok-rui | 2018 | Colour | 25’ 00” | In Urdu, Cantonese and English with Chinese and English subtitles

A Pakistani immigrant left with nothing tries to salvage the relationship with his departed wife and son by trying to find new work and proving that he is ready for a new life. Yet, Hong Kong…

The Umbrealla

Best Narrative Short, The 67th Columbus International Film Festival

• Edward Snowden Award, 17th Festival International Signes de Nuit – Paris
• Fresh Wave Award, 12th Fresh Wave International Short Film Festival
• Winner (Audio-Visual Production – Drama), 6th Chang Kuo-sin Award for Aspiring Young Communicators
• Open Category - Special Mention, 24th ifva Awards
• Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and Market 2020*
• Bali International Film Festival MINIKINO Film Week 2019*
• 15th Seattle Transmedia & Independent Film Festival
• 17th Catacumba Film Festival

Tsang Hing-weng Eric | 2018 | Colour | 21’ 59” | In Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles

It rained non-stop when Hong Kong was rocked by the tumultuous events in October 2014. At the university hall, young souls are assigned to different rooms amid the sounds of rain, studies and heavy discussions. These strangers come from a variety of backgrounds but are united by their passion towards the society. They may have dissenting opinions, but will learn to accept and be sympathetic to each other. The rainy night feels especially ominous when the students ponder at the events in Mong Kok.

Lionverse

• Silver Award – Best Technique, 21st DigiCon6 ASIA Awards
• Gold Award (Animation Start-ups), 6th Animation Support Program
• Annecy International Animated Film Festival and Market 2019*
• International Strasburg Film Festival 2019
• interfilm Berlin 2019

Mok Chun-hei | 2019 | Colour | 3’ 24” | No dialogue and subtitles

Youngsters may render speechless if they are asked about the meaning of “Spirit of Lion Rock”. Youngsters had never come across the most struggling period in Hong Kong. Now, Hong Kong has entered a “cooling period” after a vibrant growth. According to what the elders share, the “Spirit of Lion Rock” is “you reap what you sow”. However this spirit has long been forgotten. In our generation, what does the “Spirit of Lion Rock” truly mean to us?

3 Generations 3 Days

• Best Live Action Short Film, 56th Golden Horse Awards*
• Best Fiction Short Award, South Taiwan Film Festival 2019
• Best Short Film (Fiction), 14th Chinese Youth Film Week
• Fresh Wave Award and Best Director, 13th Fresh Wave International Short Film Festival
• 26th Woman Makes Waves Film Festival*

Chu Hoi-ying | 2019 | Colour | 20’ 08” | In Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles

Ching, is asked by her mother to take care of grandmother who is arriving in Hong Kong from the Mainland. Ching now has to prepare for her grandmother’s stay in the elderly home 3 days later. Through the stubborn and traditional grandmother, Ching is forced to examine the relationship with her mother. As the 3 women struggle with their own pain to survive, they must also fulfil their commitments in life.

Stain

• Short Animated Film: 3D - Second Place, Teen Animation Festival International 2019

Wong Wun-yin | 2019 | Colour | 1’ 15” | No dialogue and subtitles

‘Stain’ is a story about a robot that clean dishes. However, he encounters an obstacle which is a stain that cannot be cleaned on a plate. Therefore, He tries to use different ways to clean it.

Worm

• Best 3D Computer Animation Award, International Youth Media Summit 2019

Lee Kam-hung | 2019 | Colour | 2’ 28” | No dialogue and subtitles

This animation is about an officer who do not aware of his own personal hygiene and he had a nightmare about his spider pet becomes bigger and eats him. He wakes up and spot that he should maintain personal hygiene, after that, he cleans up his office.

Over the Fence

• Special Animation Award, International Youth Media Summit 2019

Wong Chak-ting | 2019 | Colour | 2’ 46” | No dialogue and subtitles

After eating the last piece of grass, the sheep sets out to look for more food over the fence, but can it succeed?

Panda

• Best Conservative Animation Award, International Youth Media Summit 2019, Nepal

Lau Weng-i | 2019 | Colour | 1’ 34” | No dialogue and subtitles

We want to bring out the message of conservation of the environment then protect the animals through this animation using panda as protagonist.i The lumberjacks in the animation represent the people who are now destroying the environment while the pandas represent animals that have been injured by environmental damage.

 * Travel subsidy is supported by NAE

Presented by: Hong Kong Arts Centre
Sponsored by: Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Special thanks: Fresh Wave Film Festival Limited, Lau Kok-rui, Tsang Hing-weng Eric, Mok Chun-hei, Chu Hoi-ying, Wong Wun-yin, Lee Kam-hung, Wong Chak-ting and Lau Weng-i

Hong Kong Arts Centre reserves the right to the final decision of the detailed arrangements of the events.