| Date | Context | Summary of development | Action
|
|---|
| 9.11.98
| ITB
| The Administration sought members' support foron the proposed establishment of the Film Development Fund (FDF). The Chief Executive announced in his Policy Address delivered on 7 October 1998 the setting up of a $100 million Film Development FundDF to facilitate long-term development of the local film industry and to enhance its competitiveness. The Administration proposed that the Fund would be administered by the Film Services Office (FSO) of the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA). [Paper]
|
|
| 27.11.98
| FC
| FC approved a commitment to create a new Capital Account commitment of $100 million for the setting up of FDF and noted that the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing would only approve individual projects costing up to $10 million each. For projects costing more than $10 million, FC approval should be sought. [Paper]
|
|
| 10.4.00
| ITB
| The Panel discussed the report on funding allocation of FDF. [Paper]
The Administration reported that since the setting up of the Projects Vetting Committee in January 1999, 10 out of 60 applications had been approved. To ensure the proper use of FDFthe Fund, TELA had established a mechanism to monitor the implementation progress of the approved projects.
|
|
| 3.12.02
| ITB
| The Panel discussed the paper on the proposal to establish thea $50 million Film Guarantee Fund (FGF) (to be set aside from FDF) [Paper] and met with deputations.
The Administration informed members that the purpose of FGF was to provide, on a pilot basis for two years, a loan guarantee to participating lending institutions which would offer loan facilities for film production with the support of film completion arrangement. A consultation paper had been published on 17 October 2002 to solicit views of the film industry, the banking sector and the public. [Consultation Paper] A majority of the 48 submissions received during consultation were supportive of the scheme.
The film industry organizations, Panel members and the Administration had exchanged views on intellectual property rights relating to artistes, education on media ethics, piracy, one-stop shop for co-ordinating film services, the feasibility of establishing a Film Commission, and professional skills training.
Members supported the proposed FGF in principle and urged the Administration to take note of the various concerns raised by deputations and members and to revert to the Panel with a detailed response by February 2003.
|
|
| 24.1.03
| FC
| FC approved a commitment to create a new Capital Account commitment of $50 million for the setting up of FGF . [Paper]
|
|
| 4.3.03
| ITB
| The Panel discussed the paper on the Administration's response to the proposals of the Federation of Hong Kong Film Workers in its report "Revitalising Hong Kong Film Industry Report" submitted by the Federation of Hong Kong Film Workers. The report was prepared by the Federation after collating the views and information gathered from the "Revitalising Hong Kong Film Industry Forum". [Paper]
Given the opportunities opened up by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and the accession of the Mainland China to the World Trade Organization (WTO), members were of the view that assistance should be given to the film industry to explore the Mainland market.
Members were also gravely concerned about rampant piracy in the Mainland. The Administration undertook to continue its effort to negotiate with the Mainland authorities on measures to combat piracy. The Administration would brief the Panel on issues relating to the development of the film industry in one year's time.
|
|
| 25.3.04
| ITB
| The Panel discussed the paper on measures taken by the Government to facilitate the development of the local film industry [Paper] and met with deputations.
Some members were concerned about the effectiveness of the FGF. The Administration undertook to assess the effectiveness of the FGF by the end of 2004this year and revert to members on the way forward.
Members and the industry expressed grave concern on the illegal downloading of movies from the Internet and suggested that such unauthorized downloading should be made a criminal offence. Members agreed to refer the subject to the Panel on Commerce and Industry for further study.
As regards the shortage of trained personnel in the film industry and whether Mainland personnel could be engaged, the Panel considered that the relevant bureaux/departments should discuss with the industry further.
|
|
| 14.12.04
| PRESS
| Film Guarantee Fund extended for two years. [Press release]
|
|
| 4.2.05
| ITB
| The Panel discussed the paper on the proposal for continuing the operation of the Film Guarantee Fund, which will expire on 31 March 2005, and the revival of a funding scheme to finance projects conducive to the long-term development of the film industry. [Paper] [Background brief]
Box office of films guaranteed by the film guarantee fund [Follow-up paper]
|
|
| 4.3.05
| FC
| FC approved the continuation of the FGF with a reduced commitment of 30 million and to create a new commitment of $20 million for the setting up of a FDF for film-related projects. [Paper]
|
|
| 17.4.07
| ITB
| The Panel discussed the paper on Government's support measures for the film industry on:
| (a) | increasing the commitment by $300 million for Item 480 FDF under Head 180 TELA Subhead 700 General non-recurrent, with an enlarged scope to finance small-to-medium budget film productions; and
|
| (b) | enhancing the secretariat support for the new Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) by creating a permanent Secretary-General of the FDC (D2) post in TELA.
|
[Paper]
|
|
| 13.6.07
| ESC
| ESC discussed the proposed creation of one permanent post of Secretary-General of FDC (D2) in a new grade and rank under TELA with effect from 9 July 2007 to strengthen the support for the new Hong Kong FDC. The item was withdrawn by the Administration at the ESC meeting. [Paper]
|
|
| 22.6.07
| ESC
| ESC endorsed the proposed creation of a non-civil service position of Secretary-General of FDC at the equivalent rank of D2 ($110,000 - $116,800) for a period of two years to strengthen the support for the work of the new Hong Kong FDC. [Paper]
|
|
| 6.7.07
| FC
| FC approved the recommendation of the ESC made on 22.6.07 for the creation of a non-civil service position of Secretary-General of FDC. [Paper]
At the same meeting, FC approved a $300 million increase in the approved commitment for the FDF with an expanded scope to finance the production of small-to-medium budget films. [Paper]
|
|
| 14.11.07
| CQ
| Hon Emily LAU Wai-hing raised a question on pay level of junior employees in film industry. [Hansard "page 93"]
|
|
| 14.4.08
| ITB
| The Administration briefed the Panel on the progress of the implementation of the FDF following the injection of $300 million into the FDF as approved by FC on 6 July 2007. [Paper] [Follow-up paper]
|
|
| 21.5.08
| CQ
| Hon Ronny TONG Ka-wah raised a question on liberalization measures under CEPA relating to film industry. [Hansard "page 22"]
|
|
| 11.3.09
| CQ
| Hon Paul CHAN Mo-po raised a question on Film Development Fund. [Hansard "page 70"]
|
|
| 7.4.09
| ITB
| The Panel met with the Administration and representatives of industry players to gauge their views on the implementation of the FDF, following the Government injection of $300 million into the Fund. [Paper] [Background brief]
|
|
| 11.5.09
| ITB
| The Administration briefed the Panel on its proposal to retain the non-civil service position of Secretary-General of FDC for a further period of two years. [Paper] [Follow-up paper]
|
|
| 17.6.09
| ESC
| ESC endorsed a retention of a non-civil service position of Secretary-General of the Film Development Council at the equivalent rank of D2 in the Communications and Technology Branch of Government Secretariat: Commerce and Economic Development Bureau for a period of two years after the expiry of the current term in November 2009 to strengthen the support for the work of Hong Kong Film Development Council and the administration of the Film Development Fund. [Paper]
|
|
| 3.7.09
| FC
| FC approved the commitment endorsed by ESC on 17.6.09. [Paper]
|
|
| 14.12.09
| ITB
| The Administration briefed the Panel on the review of the operation of FDF Scheme and proposed measures to improve the operation of the Scheme in response to the needs of the local film industry. [Paper] [Background brief]
|
|
| 9.5.11
| ITB
| The Administration briefed the Panel on the progress of the implementation of FDF Scheme and its proposal to retain the non-civil service position of Secretary-General of FDC for a further period of two years. [Paper] [Background brief]
|
|
