Hong Kong films featured at
New York Asian Film Festival

Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York Monica Chen (left) presented the "Star Asia Award" to Simon Yam during the Star Asia Awards ceremony at the 9th New York Asian Film Festival on June 25 in New York City.

Hong Kong films featured prominently at this year's 9th New York Asian Film Festival.

This year's festival, which began June 25 and runs until July 8 at the Walter Reade Theatre, Lincoln Center and the IFC Center, features a total of 45 films from across the Asia Pacific Region, including 11 from Hong Kong.

In partnership with the organizers of the festival, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY) is showcasing leading Hong Kong films to the New York audience, with a special Hong Kong sidebar program titled "Return to the Old School: Hong Kong's New Martial Arts Cinema."

While launching this special sidebar program, the HKETONY greeted the audience at a June 26 reception held at the Walter Reade Theatre.  Leading Hong Kong film stars Sammo Hung and Simon Yam were among more than 100 guests who attended the function.

The reception was followed by the screening of the U.S. premiere of the award-winning film "Echoes of the Rainbow."

Speaking at the reception, Director of HKETONY Monica Chen said, “‘Echoes of the Rainbow’ was made with funding support from the Hong Kong Film Development Fund, a program launched in 1999 to support projects conducive to the long-term development of Hong Kong's film industry.

At a June 26 reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY) at the Walter Reade Theater, the Director of HKETONY Monica Chen (center) cited the contributions made by Sammo Hung (right) and Simon Yam (left) to Hong Kong’s film industry.

"The Film Development Fund along with the Film Guarantee Fund and the Film Services Office, operating under the auspices of the Create Hong Kong agency, will continue promoting and fostering the long-term development of Hong Kong's film industry," she added.

This year, festival organizers recognized Mr. Yam and Mr. Hung at its Star Asia Awards ceremony on June 25.

Miss Chen presented the "Star Asia Award" to Mr. Yam at the ceremony, in recognition of his acting achievements and contributions to the film industry.

A special "Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award" was presented to actor and director Sammo Hung to honor his legacy of onscreen work as well as a producer, director, action-choreographer or stuntman in more than 230 films.

"It was a wonderful evening last night as we honored our two great friends at the award presentation ceremony," said Miss Chen.

The 10 Hong Kong films being featured under "Return to the Old School: Hong Kong's New Martial Art Cinema" are: "Bodyguards & Assassins," "Development Hell," "Eastern Condors," "Kung Fu Chefs," "Gallants," "Ip Man," "Ip Man 2," "Little Big Soldier," "Storm Warriors" and the uncut version of "Red Cliff."

The HKETONY partners with various cultural organizations in multiple states to bring the best of Hong Kong cinema to  American audiences. Upcoming festivals include the Chicago International Film Festival and a Hong Kong film series with the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago.