One of the most prestigious awards in the world, the Hong Kong prize is awarded annually to two outstanding individuals or organisations who have made significant contributions to the development of educational research. Its HK$60 million prize money makes it the largest award in the field.
What: Charles Chen Yidan, co-founder of China’s largest internet media company, Tencent Holdings, founded the Yidan Prize to honour those who have made profound contributions to the development of education. He has always had a soft spot for philanthropy and, in 2013, launched the prize with the help of his family and friends.
Who: The prize is open to all works that are longer than one hour and commercially released in Hong Kong within the previous year. The winner is chosen by a group of professional adjudicators.
Why: The Hong Kong Film Prize, whose awards are sponsored by the Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA) and administered by the Hong Kong Economic Journalists Association, is open to all Hong Kong films produced, shot, or edited in Hong Kong. This includes independent, foreign-produced, and Asian-produced works.
How: The winner of the prize is determined by an election process, which involves a first round of voting for all registered voters, and a second round of vote-by-mail to a selected group of professional adjudicators. The HKFA selects the nominees from a shortlist, which is announced in January each year.
Among this year’s nominees are Yang Heng’s Silent Ghosts, a fantasy drama that tells the story of an enigmatic woman who leads a tourist to the mysterious town of Silent Ghosts, where her identity is different for each man she meets.
The film was directed by Yang Heng and produced by Yan Ni for No Chopsticks Pictures. It was presented at the virtual Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum, which took place for the third time this year due to pandemic restrictions.
Who: The winners of the prize are chosen by a panel of experts from the Hong Kong Arts Development Foundation, the Hong Kong Film Directors Association, and the Hong Kong Film Society. The prizes are worth HK$15,000 to HK$30,000 and are awarded on the basis of a combination of artistic merit, creativity, originality, and social significance.
Why: The organisers of the Hong Kong Arts Prize, including the HKFA, have long been committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in their work. This year’s selections are a testament to this dedication.
Where: The Hong Kong Arts Prize is co-hosted by the Justice Centre and the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, with support from the Goethe-Institut Hongkong.
When: The award ceremony will be held at the Hong Kong Arts Centre in June 2022. The winners will be announced at the event, which will also feature live performances by a range of artists.
The Hong Kong Arts Prize is a great way for the city to showcase its culture and diversity, and encourage local artists to take their work around the world. The award is also a good opportunity for the city’s public to show their appreciation for their cultural heritage, and a chance to see and hear from new artists.