[2024.06.30] FIGHTING FOR FRESH WAVE UNTIL AGE 80, JOHNNIE TO: THE FILM INDUSTRY AND ART NEEDS TO BE INHERITED

courtesy of mingpao.com

Director Johnny To Kei Fung is the founder and chairman of the Fresh Wave International Short Film Festival. After 18 years since its founding, this year would be the first time the event has not have the Arts Development Council (HKADC) funding. Its scale has been reduced, as the number of films screened has been reduced from 38 to 24. At the 18th Fresh Wave International Short Film Festival Local Competition Award Presentation Ceremony held yesterday, To Kei Fung said that this year could have a competition because the support from many people has been received. He will be 70 years old next year. He says that if he can live longer and can tough it out, he will be able to work until the age of 80, discover more capable filmmakers, and hope that the next generation will not be discouraged, tell their favorite stories. As for the lack of funding from the HKADC, he says that he was considered to be able to do it, but in fact he had never done it. So he can only do his best.

Since the 11th Fresh Wave Film Festival, Fresh Wave has established a limited company and become administratively independent, and has gradually become financially independent. The HKADC has indicated that since the 11th edition, the Fresh Wave Short Film Festival has been funded by the "Arts and Sports Development Fund" of the former Home Affairs Bureau through the HKADC for a "five-year transitional period" financial assistance to support the established Fresh Wave Film Festival Co. Limited's ability to develop independently in the future. It was later extended by two years to the 17th edition, and the funding has been completed in September last year.

The Awards Presentation Ceremony would present the "Audience Choice Award", "Special Mention", "Best Cinematography", "Best Screenplay", "Best Director" and "Fresh Wave Award" to young filmmakers participating in the "Local Competition". To Kei Fung told the participants that it doesn't matter if they win or lose in the competition. Through this platform they can explore their talents, keep making and watching to make their ideal movies. He started in the business in the 1970s, and he has walked this journey this way too. He reassured everyone, pointing out that there will definitely be a Fresh Wave competition this year with no less than 8 films, depending on the amount of funds.