The survey conducted by ACNielsen interviewed a total of 205 buyers and 95 exhibitors attending the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (Filmart 2002) held June 26-28.

Sixty-eight percent of interviewed buyers said Hong Kong was their preferred place for sourcing film products.

"This first ever film industry survey conducted at the Filmart should be able to throw insights on market and product trends and should be helpful for industry players to re-align their production and marketing strategies," said Alan Wong, director of Services Promotion of Trade Development Council (TDC), organizer of the Filmart.

On the market outlook in the next 12 months, nearly 90 percent of buyers and exhibitors anticipate film market to be better, slightly better or similar to 2002.

Buyers are more optimistic on the Asia Pacific film market, with 90 percent of the interviewed buyers saying that market outlook will be better or similar to 2002.

Bullish on the Chinese mainland film market. Some 94 percent of the interviewed exhibitors and 89 percent of buyers said market outlook in the Chinese mainland in 2003 would be better or similar to 2002.

From buyers' point of view, major areas of potentials in the mainland in the next five years include co-production, DVD/VCD distribution and selling to TV stations.

Some 78 percent of the interviewed local exhibitors said the Chinese mainland will be the most promising market for Hong Kong films in the next 5 years.

From buyers' point of view, apart from action/Kung Fu film, comedy and drama are the most salable film genre.

(Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2002)