Despite two record hits, the cinemas fight in Hong Kong to stay open | Characteristics

The Hong Kongkasskasse sent mixed signals when the annual figures were unveiled in January. There was cheers when two local titles rejuvenated the theater market with record -breaking results. Anselm Chan The last dance And soi Cheang's Dawn of the warriors: walls into The Hollywood blockbuster and other overseas title exceeded the local market share of Hollywood by 5.5% for the first time that this has been achieved for the first time that this has been achieved since 2004.

However, the annual box office fell to the lowest point in 13 years and in 2024 took $ 172.7 million (USD 1.34 billion) and nine venues closed their doors permanently, with the number of theaters being in operation to 55.

“While local films recorded record-height contributions, you cannot compensate for the decline in Hollywood income, which is traditionally over 70% of our box office,” says Timothy Yuen, Chairman of the Hong Kong Theaters Association. This decline was partially due to the decreasing popularity of blockbuster franchise titles such as Marvel's superhero functions and the Hollywood strike in 2023.

“If the income from the box office remains at this low level, the operators will have difficulty making money, which leads to further closures of the cinemas,” says Yuen, who is also General Manager of the Emperor Cinemas Group.

The theaters have made efforts to diversify their sources of income, from the re-publication of restored versions of classic films to the broadcast of live concerts and the rental of buildings for events or even birthday parties. “But the income in the coffers remains the cornerstone of their business,” says Yuen. “It is important for the survival of cinemas. The attraction of young audiences is essential because their commitment will significantly influence the future success or failure of the film industry. “

The local box office scaled new heights when Dawn of the warriors: walls intoFrom media asia and The last dancePresent The second and third local films that break the ceiling of $ 100 million (USD $ 12.9) became from Kaiser -Motion pictures. They earned an additional $ 94.2 million in the mainland China (684 million RMB) or $ 29 million (RMB210 million).

The last danceIn which the comedians Michael Hui and Dayo Wong appear in a dark funeral drama, the most successful Hong Kong and Chinese-speaking film ever in the territory with revenue of more than $ 20.6 million ($ 160 million). An extended 139-minute version will be released on April 4 in Hong Kong after her world premiere at the Osaka Asian Film Festival.

Robin Lees sleeper beats Four hiking trails also made his brand. The documentary about a group of Elite marathon runners was released on December 6th and ran the entire box office of more than USD 1.16 million (HK $ 9 million) -the third largest Doc of all time in Hong Kong.

Positive steps

These are encouraging signs that the audience is still ready to pay, and film companies should endeavor to start new film projects. But quickly developing cinema habits make it difficult for the industry, cash reends and profits. Last year, only 46 local films were released last year, including a gap of titles that were made during the pandemic compared to around 55-60 titles in the 2010s.

“In the middle of the continuing economic downturn, investors are careful to select the right projects, just like the audience selectively when choosing what they see in cinemas,” says Tin Kai Man, spokesman and former chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong filmmakers (FHKF), the 17 film industry. “If the audience has less output, it is a quality compared to the quantity problems. Difficult times are a test for how good we can be, which we cannot see if we live in a bubble.

“We have concentrated too much on the crowd in the past,” he adds. “The improvement of creativity and creating high -quality productions is now the way to build trust and withdraw the audience.”

Industry veteran Tin Setup Production Banner Ideas Workshop in 2009, which was known for his roles in front of the camera, also as a buddy for Stephen Chows in 2001 HIT Shaolin football.

He produced two films this year: atonementTogether by singer and actor Ronald Cheng in his directorial debut; And The outsider (Aka Under electricity), staged by Alan Mak and with Aaron Kwok. Tin also works with the director Mak Sitou Meitong (Working title), a period drama about the Chinese title in overseas, which is shot in a studio in Foshan, China.

Key backer

Maintaining a strong pipeline of local productions is more important than ever, and various private organizations get involved to keep the cameras up and running. With the support of Joseph Lau Luen Hung Charitible Trust and World Universal Culture, FHKF started the Keep Rolling program to support production during the pandemic.

Since then, two projects have been completed: Kwan Man's The rest and Jeffrey Lam and Antonio Tam's Valley of Death Shadowwhich was premiered in Tokyo last year. FHKF is making further projects from emerging directors.

The Lee Hysan Foundation, which was founded in Hong Kong in 1973, is still an active supportive support for local art and culture. It recently supported Adam Wongs The way we talkFirst designed by producer Ho Hong about 10 years ago as a three -part bus about people with disabilities; It then turned into a feature about the young deaf in Hong Kong.

HO had secured a partial financing from a cool film production, but he and his team decided to take the risk and to film in 2023 without complete financing. The Lee Hysan Foundation came in with GAP financing when the filming was almost complete.

The film, on which HO is also a co-author, had its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival and won the best actress prize at the Golden Horse Awards for the promotion star Chung Suet Ying. She plays a hearing-impaired woman who is to be considered “normal” with the help of a cochlea implant and finally includes the sign language on her journey of self-discovery.

“As a creative, we focus on creating a good script with convincing characters and motivational messages,” says Ho, who was also the author and director of 2013 Doomsday party. “We should have a deep passion and a strong commitment to the project without being concerned about the market trends. Only if we really believe in our work can we earn the recognition and support of the industry and the audience. “

To support production production, Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) plays a central role in providing financing support. The latest issue of its first feature film minitiative (FFFI) comprises six debut feature projects, each with a cash prize between USD 643,000 to USD 1.03 million (HK $ 5 million $ 8 million). This includes work supported by established producers such as Amy Chin, Saville Chan, Jacqueline Liu, Mani Man and Pang Ho Cheung. Art Director Irving Cheung and the screenwriter Yeung Leung Chuen appear as directors.

At the beginning of this year, FDC hired the film production financing scheme 2.0 to motivate investors by reducing their financial risks. An essential change of rule enables investors to recover 50% of their investments before the income between them and the government of Hong Kong. A larger part of the financing (compared to 50% to 70%) is paid at the beginning of main photography to improve the cash flow of production.

The government also conducts liberalization measures of March 1 by changing CEPA – a free trade agreement between Hong Kong and mainland china – with which Hong Kong companies can distribute their films on the mainland and further open the huge market.

“We asked for a direct distribution on the mainland,” says Tin. “We can start with Greater Bay Area to increase the market and plan the publications of day and date to reduce the window.” Hong Kong is part of the Greater Bay Area, together with nine communities in the province of Guangdong, which most of them are Cantonese -speaking.

While leading film companies such as Media Asia and Kaiser films slow down production, there are several exciting projects in the pipeline. These include Dawn Ho's Feature Directing debut Live to winWith Raymond Lam and Jennifer Yu and Ho Cheuk Tins Zombies never restwhich is shot in Taiwan with the experienced actor Tai Bo as a first producer together with the director Philip Yung as a producer. Other upcoming titles are Street to VendettaSupported by MM2 Hong Kong, which has just wrapped his filming in Japan.

Also is Yu Sze Long's Love & sex during streaming is in production while Wu Chui Yi's's Bird of paradiseTom Chung Sings Replacement queens And Gamer girls By Veronica Bassetto and Sophie Yang are in post -production. All are feature debuts supported by FFFI.