Hong Kong Entertainment Ambassador, movie star Tony Leung at a press conference to launch the month-long event. He won the Palme d'Or Best Actor Award in Cannes in 2000

More than 400 exhibitors and 3,000 visitors from around the world are expected at the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), an event rapidly gaining a reputation as Asia's world entertainment market.

To be held at the waterfront Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai, FILMART 2006 (March 20-23) will see a cross section of activities in film and television from distribution and acquisition to production, animation and post-production services.

FILMART 2006 will also be part of the broader Entertainment Expo (EE) held from March 20 to April 19.

"This is the only entertainment event in Asia that brings together under one roof and in the same time frame a series of activities related to film and television programming, film financing, a film festival, music, short films and digital entertainment," said Raymond Yip, Director, Industry Promotion at the Trade Development Council (TDC), organiser of FILMART.  

With its re-vamped timing between Berlin's European Film Market (EFM) in February and Cannes in May, FILMART has found a perfect place in the global entertainment calendar.

Global meeting place

Last year, more than a third of the exhibitors were from outside the Asia-Pacific. This year - the 10th anniversary of FILMART - will welcome even more international big names such as Unifrance (France), CJ Entertainment (Korea), Lakeshore International (US) and the UK Film Council.

Held concurrently with EE is the Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) which made a spectacular comeback last year after a four-year hiatus.

"It serves as a market place for film professionals from Asia to meet with financiers, fund managers, producers, bankers and international buyers. HAF provides unique opportunities for film makers to present original proposals and helps to facilitate possible co-ventures and co-productions," added Mr Yip.

Other exciting events which make up the Entertainment Expo include:

• Hong Kong International Film Festival (April 4-19) which showcases some of the most promising films from Asia and around the world
• Hong Kong Film Awards Presentation Ceremony (April 8)
• Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Excellence Awards (March 22)
• Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (March 21)
• IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Awards (March 24)
• Hong Kong Independent Short Film and Video Awards (March 17)

Details on  FILMART 
Entertainment Expo