The film and television industry in Hong Kong is not as robust as those in other countries in the region, according to a new study.
Oxford Economics, a UK-based research advisory firm, said it contributes around HKD15.6 billion to the GDP – a measly 0.3 percent of the total.
Using 2011 data (so not exactly of-the-minute), Thailand, South Korea and New Zealand all scored better. Heck, even the small island of Taiwan managed to pull in 0.4 percent of GDP from film and TV.
The figure is a cause for concern, according to those in the industry.
Sam Ho, managing director of the Hong Kong International Screen Association, blamed the lull on insufficient government intervention in revamping Hong Kong’s outdated copyright laws.
Robert Lee, honorary treasurer of the Hong Kong Video Development Foundation, told Variety its 2014 revenue was only HKD185 million, down considerably from HKD850 million in 2002.
He cited the downloading of illegal online content and unauthorised “black boxes” as the enemy.
But none of us do that or have those, right?
Meanwhile, the government announced plans to infuse HKD200 million into the Film Development Fund. In addition, they will subsidise productions under HKD10 million.
Ho still believes that more could be done, however. He urged the government to promote the Hong Kong industry in international events and film festivals.
Photo: Bee Your Guide via Flickr
