Growing international interest in Asian cinema should see the number of films produced in Hong Kong jump 30 per cent this year to nearly 200, according to the chairman of the Movie Producers and Distributors Association of Hong Kong, Raymond Wong.

Mr Wong's comments in the lead-up to Filmart 2001 were backed by the chairman of the Hong Kong, Kowloon & New Territories Motion Picture Association, Crucindo Hung, who said international film buyers have developed a stronger interest in action movies, especially those featuring martial arts and spectacular special effects, following the success of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Filmart 2001, a leading marketplace for trading films and television programmes, was bigger and more international than ever. The event featured over 130 exhibitors, 20 per cent more than last year, with producers from countries including the US, the Chinese mainland, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, and India joining Hong Kong's major production houses.

Forthcoming films to be made in Hong Kong include an adaptation of Sun Tzu's military epic The Art of War. It will cost over US$100 million and is expected to be the most expensive movie ever made in Hong Kong. Jackie Chan is to be director and lead actor in the epic which will use over 100,000 extras.