Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) Academy of Film x Shaw Studios Creative Project Awards

HKBU Academy of Film and Shaw Studios have collaboratively launched the inaugural "HKBU Academy of Film x Shaw Studios Creative Project Awards" to provide students with practical opportunities and foster creative talents. The competition, open to undergraduate students and recent graduates of the Academy of Film, attracted over 600 participants. Following a rigorous evaluation conducted by both organizations and industry professionals, two exceptional short film projects, Old Chap and Lung Fu, were selected as the winners. With the support of the HKBU Academy of Film and Shaw Studios, the production of these two short films has been completed. Currently, they are being submitted to various film festivals, with the aspiration of gaining further recognition.

HKBU Academy of Film provides a maximum funding of HKD80,000 for the winning projects and has invited directors Adam Wong Sau Ping (The Way We Dance) and Lai Yan Chi (Band Four) to serve as producers. Shaw Studios offers an array of facilities, including sound stages, foley suites, audio mixing rooms, DCP production and screening facilities, providing students with hands-on experience and access to state-of-the-art facilities.

Dr Raymond Chan Wai Man, Managing Director of Shaw Studios, said, "With its commitment to cultivate the next generation of filmmakers, Shaw Studios has established a collaborative platform in Hong Kong for local filmmakers to unleash their creativity. We are delighted to work with HKBU Academy of Film to provide their students with access to the professional facilities, hoping to help enhance the quality of their works."

Both producers express immense honor in their involvement with this project. Lai Yan Chi, producer of Old Chap, shares, "This story has its own comedic rhythm, and the director has conveyed the essence of the narrative with limited resources and minimal style. The characters are truly authentic. Through this film, one can sense the passion and love for cinema from these young filmmakers." Adam Wong Sau Ping, producer of Lung Fu, also recognizes the enormous potential in this project, stating, "While it is often said that Hong Kong cinema is in decline, there is a growing number of young individuals who love filmmaking. During our interviews with more than ten film students contending for this short film project, Lai Yan Chi and I were deeply impressed by their sincerity and creative sparks evident in their pitches and production plans." Wong further expresses his great fondness for the script of Lung Fu, saying, "I am captivated by the romance depicted in the script, which explores themes of brotherhood and men’s love." 

Info on the two award-winning short films:

Old Chap Director: Zhou Xiaolan     Producer: Lai Yan Chi

Synopsis: Former triad boss Lo Hon builds his fortune by operating a car parking business. However, a film shoot in his territory closes the street for seven days and nights, causing him tremendous losses. It’s during this time that he stumbles upon a potential investment opportunity in local films. Time waits for no one, and Lo Hon, now in his seventies, is at the end of his rope. At a retirement banquet, his subordinate Little Dragon reveals his glorious past. Does the end of glory also mark the end of life?

Lung Fu Director: Ng Ka Long     Producer: Adam Wong Sau Ping
Synopsis: A retired triad undertaker receives news of his deceased lover's gang disbandment. He decides to wield his peach wood sword one last time for his lover and himself, breaking through the hell’s gate.