The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) is promoting the vibrant filmmaking industry of Hong Kong in the United Kingdom by sponsoring the Hong Kong Programme of the London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF) 2018, with screenings in London from October 31 to November 2 (London time) and in Oxford today (November 2, London time).

     LEAFF was first launched in 2015 to champion the growing collaboration and diversity in East Asian film-making. With the support of London ETO, Hong Kong films have all along played an important part of LEAFF. This year, the Festival has brought over four Hong Kong films as part of its special Hong Kong Programme. In addition to a launch Gala screening of the European Premiere of Felix Chong's highly acclaimed action film "Project Gutenberg", the festival also features "Distinction" by Jevons Au; "Tomorrow is Another Day" by Chan Tai-lee; and the documentary "I've Got the Blues" by Angie Chen. The Gala screening of Project Gutenberg was followed by a question-and-answer session with director Felix Chong and a Hong Kong Night Reception, while the special in-competition screening of Distinction yesterday (November 1, London time) was followed by a question-and-answer session with director Jevons Au.

     Speaking at the Gala screening of Project Gutenberg which launched the LEAFF Hong Kong Programme on October 31 (London time), the Director-General of the London ETO, Ms Priscilla To, highlighted Hong Kong's success in film-making. "Despite the fact that Hong Kong is only a small city with a population of about seven million, Hong Kong is one of the world's largest film production bases. Many of our talent in the film making industries, including actors and actresses, directors, cinematographers and producers, have become household names in the world, and our films have also been inspirational to many outside Hong Kong," Ms To said. "This year is already the third occasion we have partnered with LEAFF, and we are very pleased to once again bring some of the best films produced by Hong Kong directors to film lovers in London."

     "The Hong Kong Government is committed to supporting our local film industry. In her second Policy Address announced in October 2018, our Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, reaffirmed our commitment to build up the brand name for Hong Kong Films. She also announced the injection of one billion Hong Kong dollars into the Film Development Fund, with a view to boosting the development of our film industry through measures under the four broad directions, i.e. nurturing talent, enhancing local production, market expansion, and building audience. Indeed, many excellent productions like 'Tomorrow is Another Day' that we feature this year were made with the support of the Film Development Fund. " Ms To added.

     LEAFF 2018 is being held in London and Oxford from October 25 to November 4 (London time). For more information visit: www.LEAFF.org.uk.

      

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 (November 2) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Civil Engineering and Development Department today (November 2) announced that the the Mui Wo Temporary Public Fill Reception Facility has been reopened at 8.30am.

     The Labour Department (LD) today (November 2) reminded employers to make practical and reasonable work arrangements for staff in times of typhoons and rainstorms. Employers should also make flexible arrangements for staff to resume work after a typhoon or rainstorm warning is cancelled with due consideration to road, traffic and other conditions. This will help maintain good labour-management relations and ensure the safety of employees and the smooth operation of organisations.
 
     "For staff who have practical difficulties in resuming work on time upon cancellation of a typhoon or rainstorm warning, employers should give due consideration to the circumstances of individual employees and handle each case flexibly, " an LD spokesman said.
 
     "As typhoons and rainstorms are natural occurrences that cannot be avoided, employers should not deduct wages or allowances of employees who are absent from or late for work because of inclement weather. Neither should employers dismiss an employee summarily based on these grounds," he said.
 
     The spokesman also reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Employees' Compensation Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance. 
 
     Employers should not deduct annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days employees are entitled to under the Employment Ordinance to compensate for the loss of working hours resulting from employees' failure to report for duty upon the issue of Typhoon Signal No. 8 or the announcement of a Black Rainstorm Warning. An employer who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with the relevant provisions under the Employment Ordinance is liable to prosecution. 
 
     Employers should also note that they have an obligation to maintain a safe workplace for their employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance.
 
     Under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, employers are liable to pay compensation for death or injury incurred when employees are travelling by a direct route from their residence to their workplace, or from their workplace back to their residence after work, four hours before or after working hours on a day when Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above or a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning is in force.
 
     To provide practical guidelines and samples of work arrangements for the reference of employers and employees, the LD has issued the booklet "Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms". The booklet can be obtained from branch offices of the Labour Relations Division or downloaded from the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf).
 

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     As Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3 has been cancelled, the Home Affairs Department's emergency hotline 2835 1473 has ceased to operate.