Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     The 24th annual "Made in Hong Kong" film festival kicked-off yesterday night (July 18, Washington time) at the Freer Gallery of Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC with the premiere of the acclaimed film, Still Human, and an appearance by the film’s lead actress, Crisel Consunji.
 
     Speaking at the premiere event, the Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Mr Eddie Mak, said that the Hong Kong government had long played a complementary role in supporting the film industry, which had been the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s creative industries. Mr Mak highlighted Create Hong Kong’s First Feature Film Initiative, a competitive film funding programme which aims to nurture new directors. Since its launch in 2013, the initiative has identified many talented young directors and helped fund the production of a repertoire of films. The film festival’s premiere film, Still Human, was a winning recipient of this initiative.
 
     Written and directed by first-time director Oliver Chan, Still Human is a dramedy about a brusque wheelchair-bound pensioner, played by veteran actor Anthony Wong, and the live-in domestic helper, played by Crisel Consunji, hired to care for him.  Crisel Consunji’s performance won her the Best New Performer award at the 38th Hong Kong Film Awards.  The film also picked up top prizes this year at the 21st Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy, including the Golden Mulberry audience award and the Black Dragon critics’ award.  Crisel Consunji will appear at a screening of Still Human on July 19 after which she will take part in a discussion moderated by the gallery’s curator of film, Tom Vick.
 
     Through the period till August 18, this year’s film festival features an array of recent films including Project Gutenberg which received a remarkable seven Hong Kong Film Awards.
 
     The annual "Made in Hong Kong" film festival is co-organised by The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Washington DC and the Smithsonian Institution’s Freer Gallery of Art.  It showcases the vitality of Hong Kong’s creative talents and enhances the United States-Hong Kong bilateral ties through a shared appreciation of the arts.

    

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 20) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Upper Cheung Sha Beach, Lower Cheung Sha Beach and Tong Fuk Beach in Islands District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     Wu Oi Christian Centre has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (July 20), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said. 

     For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678. Information on flag days is available at the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_whatsnew) and the GovHK portal (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing contact information of the flag-selling organisations and information on the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_recentlyap). For enquiries about the detailed flag-selling arrangements, please contact the individual flag-selling organisations.

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities covered by the Public Subscription Permit issued by the SWD have also been uploaded to the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/fundraising).

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Pat Heung yesterday (July 19) in which a 46-year-old man died.

     At about 6.25pm, a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driven by a 57-year-old man towing a medium goods vehicle (MGV) and a public light bus (PLB) driven by the 46-year-old man were travelling in sequence along Lam Kam Road towards Tai Po. When reaching near a roundabout, the MGV and PLB reportedly collided.

     Sustaining injuries to his head and chest, the 46-year-old PLB driver was rushed to Pok Oi Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 7.38pm. Five male PLB passengers and two female PLB passengers, aged between 27 and 66, sustained injuries and were sent to Pok Oi Hospital for medical treatment in conscious state.

     Investigation will be conducted by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories North.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3857.