Hong Kong’s Fresh Wave International Short Film Festival began 2017 with a growing recognition of its role in supporting new talent. Now an independent charity organisation led by founder and chairman Johnnie To, Fresh Wave continues to fund young filmmakers to make shorts for screening in competition at its festival. This year, the 11th edition took place from March 13 to April 1.
Split into Open and Student Divisions for locals aged 18 to 35, the competition funds selected production teams to make a film of up to 25 minutes. For the latest round, the grant for each of the 30 projects was HK$70,000 (8,300 euros), and the teams joined workshops and seminars in a bid to boost quality.
When the Hong Kong Film Awards announced its nominations this February, Fresh Wave alumni were among the top nominees. Mad World, with eight nominations, came from a director and a screenwriter who both rose through Fresh Wave. Trivisa, which was nominated seven times, included all three of its directors, a screenwriter, and a cinematographer as Fresh Wavers. With both films finding acclaim and extensive festival play, the fruits of Fresh Wave’s efforts are becoming more widely known.
FEFF is thrilled to present the highlights of this year’s Fresh Wave festival in this programme.
Tim Youngs