Brands Band Together to Support the HKIFF

15 March, 2010 (Hong Kong) The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) announced today its complete list of official sponsors of the 34^th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), with new leading automotive brand Audi joining the festival as Official Premium Car Partner. Major sponsors including Citibank Credit Card and W Hotel Hong Kong have also extended their sponsorship to the 2010 festival season.

As a distinguished group of corporations, the sponsors share in the vision to enrich the festival experience and further enable the non-profit HKIFFS to develop and promote the festival’s annual presentation of more than 290 films. The 34^th HKIFF, which will be held from March 21 – April 6, 2010, received support from a diverse selection of over 60 corporate sponsors dedicated to the promotion of the art and culture of film and whose financial support enhance the Festival experience for filmmakers and festival-goers alike.

“The Hong Kong International Film Festival would simply not be sustainable were it not for the passionate support and commitment of our sponsor community," said Shaw Soo Wei, Executive Director of the HKIFFS. "As a non-profit organization, we rely on our sponsors' collective dedication to the arts for the continued growth of the festival. Their contribution reaches far beyond the 17 days of Festival to support the Society’s year-round mission and events to drive film appreciation."

The HKIFF Society is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organisation supported by corporate sponsors, cultural organisations, private foundations, non-profit associations, film associations and government agencies. These contributions enable the HKIFFS to present one of Hong Kong’s leading film events and make possible the many services including transportation, hospitality and marketing platforms provided to filmmakers during the festival.

“As one of the world's leading automobile corporate, the core brand value of Audi 'Vorsprung durch Technik' has contributed not just to automotive development in progressive innovations and beautiful design but has also strongly committed untiringly to supporting art, cultural and charitable events.” said Chong Got, Managing Director of Premium Motors Ltd, the sole Audi dealer in Hong Kong. “The appearances of Audi in Hollywood blockbusters like Mission Impossible, I-Robot, Iron Man, Transporter II & III, are just a few to name exemplifying Audi's fame in the film industry worldwide and locally. We are very thankful and happy to support such a wonderful event like the Hong Kong International Film Festival.”

“Movies are a quintessential part of Hong Kong life and an incredibly popular social activity - the HKIFF showcases a huge range of films, from Asia's big blockbusters to a more eclectic range of independent movies.” said Neil Gardner, Director, Cards Business. “Being able to partner with the HKIFF allows Citi to provide our customers with red carpet premieres, priority booking and ticket discounts whilst supporting a non-profit organisation dedicated to building Hong Kong's long standing history of filmmaking.”

Committed to the development of a vibrant film culture in Hong Kong and Asia, the HKIFFS organises three annual flagship events in March and April: The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), the Asian Film Awards (AFA) and the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).

The key sponsors of the 34^th HKIFF:

Citibank – Official Credit Card: Citibank Credit Cardholders can continue to enjoy priority booking of the 34^th HKIFF film tickets. In addition, the "Citi Rewards" program will enable cardholders to redeem the very exclusive Red Carpet Gala Premiere tickets to experience the event with celebrities on Red Carpet.

Audi – Official Premium Car Partner: The premium car brand offers everybody the chance to participate in this sophisticated event. Not only can you find detailed information about the festival on www.audi.com.hk but also win exclusive tickets for the 34^th HKIFF Grand Opening, the 4th Asian Film Award Presentation Ceremony and the Audi After Awards Party

W Hong Kong – Official Hotel: Invited guests of the 34^th HKIFF will be pampered at Hong Kong’s leading luxury boutique hotel, while festival-goers can enjoy discounted rooms and daily festival happy-hour. W Hong Kong will also host the Grand Opening Party of the 34^th HKIFF, all HKIFF press events and as well as the festival headquarters.
For the complete list of sponsors for the 34^th HKIFF, please refer to Annex A.

About HKIFF
The HKIFF is one of Asia’s most reputable platforms for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch new works and experience outstanding films.

Screening over 290 titles from more than 50 countries in 11 major cultural venues across the territory, the Festival is Hong Kong’s largest cultural event that reaches an audience of over 590,000 including 4,500 business executives who attend Hong Kong Film and Television Market (FILMART), a concurrent event of the HKIFF. The 34^th HKIFF will be held from 21 March to 6 April 2010.

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ANNEX A:

Official Sponsors:
Official Credit Card – Citibank Credit Card
Official Premium Car Partner – Audi
Official Hotel – W Hong Kong

Festival Partners:
TV5 Monde, Religare, Hennessy, SCAD, PCCW (Now TV), Lee Hysan Foundation, Macau Cultural, Goethe Institut HK, SIGNIS, Langham Hotel, British Council, Consulat Général de France à Hong Kong et Macao, UniFrance, Japan Foundation, Hamilton Watch, LCX, Pizza Hut.

Festival Supporters:
Hong Kong Sinfonietta, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, UA Cinemas, The Grand, Postgal, Times Square, Langham Place, Hong Kong Arts Festival, 8 Partnership, Fiji Water, Leung Yick Co. Ltd, Tiger Beer, Hong Kong Ballet, Joint Publishing (HK), Sino Group, The Link, Chung Ying Theatre Company, Hollywood Plaza, Olympian City, Cke Shopping Mall, Kowloon City Plaza, Harbour City, gi Shopping Mall, gi+ Shopping Mall, Le French May, Hewlett-Packard Company, Sennheiser, TheTMSway.

Official Media:
International Herald Tribune, The Hollywood Reporter, CUP, AV Magazine, LifestyleAsia.com, alivenotdead.com.

Media Partners:
Prestige, Ming Pao Weekly, Quamnet, Juice, Mint, tvb.com, RTHK, HMV, Hong Kong Film Magazine, yule.sohu.com, yesasia.com, Dimsum & thensome, CforCulture, Hong Kong Records, City Magazine, Fridae.com.