"HK festival gets underway"

From Filmbiz Asia:

http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/hk-festival-gets-underway

HK festival gets underway

By Patrick Frater

Sun, 20 March 2011, 21:17 PM (HKT)

Festival News

The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF, 香港國際電影節) got underway this evening with a noisy ceremony at the Convention and Exhibition Centre.

That was followed by screenings of Johnny To's (杜琪峰) Don't Go Breaking My Heart (單身男女) and Quattro Hong Kong 2 (香港四重奏Ⅱ), an ensemble piece involving four directors personal takes on the city.

HKIFF Society chairman Wilfred Wong (王英偉) thanked the numerous Japanese folk in the audience for participating in the festival, despite their domestic concerns following this month's earthquake.

"Ever since the Hong Kong International Film Festival started 35 years ago, Japanese film has occupied an important place at the event. Our Japanese friends in the film industry have also supported the festival continuously. At this difficult time, I want to deliver our sincere condolences and best wishes to the entire Japanese people, including our many friends in the film industry."

The audience at the ceremony included delegations from several festivals including Tokyo (東京国際映画祭) and Busan (부산국제영화제). Venice was represented by festival boss Marco Mueller.

Industry executives included October Pictures' Charles Kim (김철수), Union Voole's (優朋普樂科技有限公司) Daniel Yu (余偉國), Irresistible Films' Ivy Ho (何韻明) and Sidus iHQ's newly appointed head of international Cassie Yoo (캐시유).

The festival, in its 35th edition, runs from 20 March to April 2011. It is the first under the guidance of new executive director Roger Garcia.