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video, audio, and other media content
directly to users through various devic-
es like smartphones, has grown rapidly
in the last few years, reaching HK$4.3
billion (US $557 million) in 2025.

Subscription streaming services rep-
resent close to 84% of total OTT reve-
nue in Hong Kong and are on course to
increase to over 85% in 2028.

Apart from the change of habit,
Chan points out that room for creativ-
ity is another major factor that has af-
fected the Hong Kong movie industry.
Norris Wong on the set of ‘The
Lyricist Wannabe’
“We can see that the (Photo courtesy of Norris Wong)

industry seems to be filmmakers like herself are facing dif- ed about $1.4 billion into the fund to

going downhill. In ficulties such as the lack of filmmak- support the industry, according to the

the 80s and 90s there ing training and filming equipment, Hong Kong Film Development Coun-
including high-quality cameras, and cil.
audio equipment due to budget con-
was no intervention cerns.
in the film industry. “Independent filmmakers can only

Now, the contexts make low-budget films due to limited
funding. Also, government regula-
have changed. The tions, like the national security law

industry is very dif- screening, are stricter now, affecting
creative freedom,” she says.
ferent as there are Wong believes that Hong Kong Norris Wong on the set of ‘The

cannot go back to the good old days Lyricist Wannabe’
many limitations,” he like the 80s due to streaming services (Photo courtesy of Norris Wong)
says. and the passing of the 2021 bill.

Drawing on the example of Korean “Audiences also need to support
Hong Kong’s legislature passed the entertainment, which benefits from with our feet by going to cinemas to
film censorship law in 2021. The law substantial government funding, she watch films,” Wong says.
bans films that violate China’s national argues that Hong Kong’s government
security interests. Punishment for vio- support is crucial for the industry’s
lating the law includes up to three years success.
d
e
y
b
a
N
g
Y
i
k
E
d
it
of imprisonment and fines of up to Edited by Yika Ng
Sub-edited by Angel Yu
HK$1 million (US $128,400). The Film Development Fund has S ub - e d it e d b y A nge l Y u
provided financial support to 100
Director Norris Wong, best known films in the last two decades. In May
for her 2023 movie ‘The Lyricist Wan- 2024, the government further inject-
nabe’, says that many independent