The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) has cancelled this year's festival in response to the recent upsurge in local COVID-19 infected cases.
HKIFFS Executive Director Albert LEE also confirmed the cancellation of Cine Fan's September/October bi-monthly programme. However, the 18th Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) will still take place online from 26 to 28 August.
The flagship 14-day 44th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF44), which would have incorporated this year's Cine Fan Summer International Film Festival, was due to start in less than four weeks on 18 August. But there were uncertainties when the number of COVID-19 cases escalated in the past week.
“While it is tremendously deflating, given all the hard work that we have put in,” said Mr LEE. “The well-being of our colleagues and the public is of the utmost importance to us. Calling off HKIFF44 is heartbreaking, but we believe we have a duty to act with social responsibility.”
Mr LEE thanked the support of all participating filmmakers, as well as the festival's many stakeholders, sponsors, and partners. “We will start working on the next edition of the festival straight away. We are determined to make up for the ‘lost' HKIFF44,” he said.
