"The 12th Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music)" Awards Ceremony and Screening of Selected Works
PR Newswire
11 min read
The Grand Winner "OUT OF SERVICE" Won Four Awards
mue, Gloria, Laimaan@RubberBand, and Cath Wong Won the Best Actor and Actress Awards
HONG KONG, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 12th Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music) ("The Support Scheme"), funded by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, was organized by the Hong Kong Association of Interactive Marketing (HKAIM). The Awards Ceremony and screening of selected works took place at Theatre 2 of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. In addition to presenting 27 awards to the winners of the 12th Support Scheme, selected works from this year were also screened during the ceremony.
Since its launch in 2013, the Support Scheme has received massive support from various partners and witnessed the outstanding performance of production teams. In the 12th edition of the Support Scheme, a total of 31 works competed for the awards in the "Advertising Production Start-ups" and "Small Advertising Production Enterprises" categories. The participating works demonstrated exceptional professionalism, creativity, and technical skills and have received high praise from the judging panel. The gold prize for the "Best Microfilm Production Award" in the "Advertising Production Start-ups" category was won by "The Red Kiss", directed by Amy CHAN Tsz Kwan and starring HOPUI. In the "Small Advertising Production Enterprises" category, "OUT OF SERVICE", directed by LAI Wing Cheong and starring Laimaan@RubberBand, won the gold award for "Best Microfilm Production Award". Meanwhile, mue, Gloria, Laimaan@RubberBand, and Cath WONG each won the gold prize for "Best Actor Award" and "Best Actress Award" in the "Advertising Production Start-ups" and "Small Advertising Production Enterprises" categories, respectively.
On the grand occasion of the 12th edition of the Support Scheme, the event was honored to have Mr. LAU Chun, Raistlin, JP, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as the guest of honor. Joining him included Mrs. Lowell CHO, Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr.Francis FONG Po Kiu, the President of the HKAIM, and Mr. Ricky FUNG, BBS, Chairman of IFPI Hong Kong Group, along with other guests. They attended the awards ceremony alongside local advertising production companies, directors, popular local singers and groups who participated in this year's Scheme to witness the announcement of the award winners.
Mr. LAU Chun, Raistlin, JP, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, delivered a speech at the awards ceremony to congratulate the winning production teams and express his appreciation to the HKAIM for successfully organizing the Support Scheme once again.
Mr. Francis FONG Po Kiu, president of the HKAIM, expressed his gratitude to CCIDA for their support and funding for the Support Scheme. He highlighted how this Scheme has nurtured local directors and screenwriters providing opportunities for singers to participate in on-screen performances.
Advertising Production Start-ups Category
"The Red Kiss" Clinches the "Best Microfilm Production Award" Gold Prize in the "Advertising Production Start-ups" Category with Outstanding Cinematography
Produced by Lightwood Production, directed by Amy CHAN Tsz Kwan, and starring HOPUI, "The Red Kiss" secured the Gold Award for "Best Microfilm Production Award" in the Advertising Production Start-ups Category. The judges commended the film's naturally flowing rhythm and profound character relationships, avoiding any sense of artificiality. Director of Photography Sam TAM also masterfully captured the actors' breaths, allowing audiences to feel the rich emotions through the lens. Such a technique is sophisticated and rare and deserves the "Best Cinematography Award".
mue Delivers Naturally Nuanced Performance, Wins "Best Microfilm Actor" Gold Prize for "Hear I Stay"
The Silver Award for "Best Microfilm Production" went to "Hear I Stay", produced by Adtitude Creative, directed by Serene NG, and starring mue. The judges commended the film's innovative and non-conventional story concept, which diverges from traditional narrative approaches. The character design and their relationships effectively conveyed the characters' inner worlds. The judges appreciated mue's dedicated performance, noting his natural acting was precisely calibrated, ultimately earning him the Gold Award for "Best Microfilm Actor" in the Advertising Production Start-ups Category.
"The Lost Temperature" Boldly Wins Three Awards Alongside Chai Wan Cineclub, Securing Bronze for "Best Microfilm Production"
In this year's Advertising Production Start-ups Category, two films were simultaneously awarded the Bronze Award for "Best Microfilm Production". Produced by Woodenswing Production, directed by YEUNG Cho Miu, and starring Peter CHEUNG Shung Tak, "The Lost Temperature" not only won the Bronze Award for "Best Microfilm Production" but also secured two additional awards in the Advertising Production Start-ups Category: "Best Microfilm Actor" Silver Award and "Best Microfilm Art Direction".
The judges praised the film's intriguing concept and innovative communication between characters. Peter CHEUNG Shung Tak's performance, which skillfully blended the dual identities of an author and father, was deemed precisely calibrated, fully revealing the character's snobbery.
Besides, the Art Director, WONG Hei Ching, skillfully controlled the colour aesthetics, maintaining a consistent colour palette throughout the film while precisely balancing the nuances between science fiction and reality.
"Chai Wan Cineclub" produced by AARYN CHEUNG STUDIO, directed by TING Kin Fung, and starring CHARMING WAY, has received the Bronze Award for "Best Microfilm Production." The judges praised the film for its strong connection to local Hong Kong sentiment, effectively articulated the background of times while simultaneously evoking a profound sense of human connection, that resonates deeply with audiences.
Gloria Wins Gold Award for "Best Microfilm Actress" with Outstanding Performance, Receiving High Praise from the Judge Panel
In the Advertising Production Start-ups Category, Gloria from "MAMACAR", produced by From The Top Production Limited and directed by LAU Wing Man Doris, secured the Gold Award for "Best Microfilm Actress". Multiple judges highlighted the emotional complexity of her character, and Gloria successfully portrayed the imbalanced state between being a driver and a mother while maintaining a sense of rationality. Her performance demonstrated the character's transformation and truly touched the audience. The judges noted her significant improvements over the years, making her performance worthy of such high praise. Additionally, the film won the "Most Popular Microfilm Award" in the "Advertising Production Start-ups" category.
The Silver Award went to Ashia, who was commended for breaking away from her typical image in "The Unwritten Guide", produced by Kangaroll Creative and directed by Joey LAM. Her portrayal of a playful and mischievous character was vivid and engaging. The film's playful and distinctive storyline earned it the "Best Scriptwriting Award".
The Bronze Award for "Best Microfilm Actress" was awarded to Kiko for her role in "Always Fine", produced by Nowhere Pictures and directed by Thyestes Tong. Judges praised her ability to switch between characters seamlessly and depict the differences between a mother and daughter clearly, leaving a strong impression on the judging panel.
In the Advertising Production Start-ups Category, the Bronze Award for "Best Microfilm Actor" went to Ko TSE for his"Method Acting" performance, produced by A-LISTER LIMITED and directed by Andre CHEUNG. The judges appreciated how he naturally let go of his image and allowed his humor to flow organically.
Small Advertising Production Enterprises Category
"OUT OF SERVICE" Excels, Sweeps Four Major Awards in the "Small Advertising Production Enterprises" Category Laimaan@RubberBand Wins Gold Award for "Best Microfilm Actor"
Produced by TO BE CONTINUED, directed by LAI Wing Cheong, and starring Laimaan@RubberBand, "OUT OF SERVICE" achieved remarkable success in the Small Advertising Production Enterprises Category, winning four major awards, including the Gold Award for "Best Microfilm Production".
The judges highly praised the film's coherent character design, its complete and engaging storytelling, and the ample room for creativity provided to the actors. They noted that the film's narrative structure was exceptionally well-crafted, with outstanding character development arcs and distinctively designed characters that left lasting impressions. The screenplay by LAI Wing Cheong and HUI Yat Hung earned them the "Best Microfilm Screenplay Award".
Laimaan@RubberBand's portrayal of a middle-aged taxi driver was deemed impeccable. His bring-to-life performance perfectly captured the character's essence. The judges unanimously recognized his outstanding performance, giving him the well-deserved Gold Award for "Best Microfilm Actor". The film also won the "Most Popular Microfilm Award" in the "Small Advertising Production Enterprises" category.
"A Touch of Light" Wins Three Awards in the Small Advertising Production Enterprises Category DEZ Secures Bronze Award for "Best Microfilm Actor"
The Silver Award for "Best Microfilm Production" was awarded to "A Touch of Light", produced by LA VENE STUDIO LTD, directed by SO Ming and Fung NG, and starring DEZ. The judges praised the film for its comprehensive plot, tight pacing, and ability to convey the atmosphere of a marginal world effectively. They found the character design particularly intriguing, which splits personalities across multiple characters. DEZ's performance was deemed outstanding. He broke away from his typical image, vividly portraying men's despondency, earning him the Bronze Award for "Best Microfilm Actor".
The Director of Photography Fung NG was also recognized with the "Best Cinematography Award". The judges commended his precise capture of the atmosphere and his excellent representation of Hong Kong's night ambiance. His skillful techniques in transitioning between indoor and outdoor environments impressed them.
Cath Wong Wins Gold Award for "Best Microfilm Actress" with Multi-Layered Performance in "Over the Time"
In the Small Advertising Production Enterprises Category, Cath WONG secured the Gold Award for "Best Microfilm Actress" for her performance in "Over the Time", produced by Lifestyle Media Concept Ltd. (Local Ginger) and directed by Aaron CHOW and LAI Chi Man. Judges praised Cath's nuanced performance, particularly her ability to dominate solo scenes with a natural, effortless approach that captured the complex emotions of happiness and loneliness in an overtime work environment. They highlighted her performance as both subtle and multi-dimensional.
The film also received the Bronze Award for "Best Microfilm Production", with judges appreciating its authentic use of internet language and fascinating portrayal of office politics through creative techniques like dances. The character development was noted as particularly sophisticated and surreal.
Produced by Hey Soul Studio, directed by Hazel, TSUI Hei Ching, and starring SIN Lok Yan, "God, I wonder where you are?" won the "Best Art Direction Award ". The judges praised Art Director Melissa LAI Ngai Ting's meticulous environmental handling and its diversity within, specifically mentioning that the scenes depicting heaven and earth were exceptional and worthy of recognition. The God-questioning angel featured in the film provides a unique character setting, and SIN Lok Yan's performance, with its theatrical quality, earned her the Silver Award for "Best Microfilm Actress".
Blaster won the Silver Award for "Best Microfilm Actor." The judges found the group's performance in "STAKING", produced by Magic Hour Studio and directed by Siven HO, quite engaging, and were surprised by the chemistry generated between the actors. The judges particularly noted how the group scenes effectively highlighted the other characters, creating an interesting dynamic.
Zaina SZE won the Bronze Award for "Best Microfilm Actress" for her performance in "Longed for Home", produced by Wave Production and directed by sfng. The judges considered her role highly challenging and praised her committed performance, successfully conveying the inner struggle of a daughter's guilt towards her father.
About "The 12th Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music)" The 12th Support Scheme consists of two categories. Tier 1 ("Advertising Production Start-ups" Category) consists of a total of 21 participating teams. Each team comprises a local newly established advertising production company with less than six years of establishment, a local director with less than six years of experience, and a local singer/group/band matched by drawing lots from the Support Scheme. Each team can receive a maximum subsidy of HKD 130,000 to produce an original microfilm for four to eight minutes. Tier 2 ("Small Advertising Production Enterprises" category), consists of 10 participating teams. Each team contains a local small-scale advertising company, a local director, and a local singer/group, forming their team. Each team can receive a maximum subsidy of HKD 240,000 to produce an original microfilm for 12 to 16 minutes. The participating singer/group, besides from providing songs for the microfilm produced by their creative team, are also required to participate in the performance of the microfilm to gain their performance opportunities and exposure.
All participating production teams will be arranged to attend microfilm production training courses guided by expert mentors. The comprehensive training covers various aspects including screenwriting, directing, production, and post-production, and it aims to refine each microfilm produced under the Support Scheme. In addition to providing comprehensive training, the Support Scheme will promote the 31 original microfilms produced in this edition through different promotional channels, including the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) 2025, TVs, social media platforms, and the support scheme's website. This aims to introduce Hong Kong-produced microfilms to entertainment companies worldwide. Outstanding works or creative teams may also have the opportunity to be recommended to participate in international competitions related to microfilms or short films, to increase further the recognition of the young generation of Hong Kong creators.
