Introduction

The Planning Office of the Hong Kong Film Archive was formed in 1993 which signifies an ever closer union between the film industry and the cultural sector. The permanent home of the Archive, located on the waterfront of Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong Island East, was completed and inaugurated for public use in January 2001. The building is five floors high, with a total surface area of 7,200 square metres. Facilities include a mini-cinema, an exhibition hall, a resource centre, collection vaults and restoration laboratories.
 
The acquisition of filmic artefacts is a major area of our work. The Archive obtains its materials mainly through donations. Materials collected are filed and indexed before they are made for public access. To enhance public awareness of cinematic treasures, the Archive holds film programmes, exhibitions, seminars and publishes monographic volumes. As a Full Member of the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF), we actively exchange with our counterparts around the world to keep abreast of the latest developments.
Exterior view of Hong Kong Film Archive

Vision

To be a world-class film archive devoted to conserving and promoting Hong Kong's film heritage, facilitating film research.

Mission

Collect and conserve Hong Kong films and related materials.
 
Provide film and related information for the film industry, researchers, and the general public.
 
Enhance appreciation and understanding of film art and film history by organising regular retrospective screenings, exhibitions and seminars.
 
Research the history of Hong Kong cinema and share our findings through publications.

Values

Professionalism
 
Passion
 
Sharing
 
Collaboration

Financial & Attendance Figures for 2022/2023

 

Expenditure Items in HK$
1. Salaries 27,463,035
2. Operating Cost(Technical and specialist services, maintenance and contract services, etc.) 39,859,924
3. Electricity, Cleaning and Security 12,087,348
4. Publicity and Printing 1,280,337
5. Exhibitions and screenings 3,628,596
  Total 84,319,240

 

Revenue Items in HK$
1.
Hiring
4,281
2. Admission Charges 288,466
3. Other Revenue 512,343
  Total 805,090

 

Attendance 64,354
 

Museum Expert Advisers (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2024)

Museum expert advisers are appointed by the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services for a period of two years to provide professional advice to the museums of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on matters pertaining to the promotion of art, history, science and film, in particular the acquisition of collection items. Advisers specialising in the field of film are as follows:
 
(Names are listed in alphabetical order)
 

Name

Professional Background

Mr CHEUNG Tung Joe

- Honorary President, Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild
- Vice Chairman, Hong Kong Screenwriters' Guild

Mr CHONG Ching, John

- Co-founder, Media Asia Group

Mr Allan FUNG

- Director, Panorama Corporation Limited

Mr HO See Wing, Sampson

- Veteran film critic and researcher
- Member, Hong Kong Film Critics Society
- Former Programmer, Hong Kong Film Archive

Mr LAM Yuk Wah, Peter

- Director, Federation of Motion Film Producers of Hong Kong
- Executive member, Hong Kong Creative Industries Association

Mr LAU Yiu Kuen, MH

- Member of Advisory Peer Group (2018-2022), Creative Writings and Film Arts Programme, The Open University of Hong Kong
- Final Year Project External Examiner (2011-2014) and Expert Consultant (2016), School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong
- Jury Member, Chinese Documentary Festival (2008-2016)
- Board of Director, Hong Kong Film Critics Society (-2020)
- Board of Director, The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (2001-2019)
- Former Programmer, Hong Kong Film Archive
- Hong Kong Chronicles (Film) Assessor

Mr SHU Kei

- Former Dean, School of Film and Television, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
- Film Producer/ Director

Prof SZE Man Hung, Stephen

- Professor, Department of Motion Pictures and Video, Kun Shan University (Retired)


 

Visiting us

Opening Hours and Location

Monday, Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00am - 8:00pm

Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year's Eve: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays), and the first two days of the Chinese New Year

Box Office:

Monday, Wednesday to Sunday: 12:00 noon (or 1 hour before the first screening) to 8:00pm

Enquiries: (852) 3166 1100

Resource Centre:

Monday, Wednesday to Friday: 10:00am - 7:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Sunday and public holidays: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Enquiries: (852) 2119 7360

Address:

50 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong (Location Map)
 
Website: http://www.filmarchive.gov.hk
 
Enquiries: (852) 2739 2139
 
Fax: (852) 2311 5229
 

Go to:

Please click here to search suitable transportation modes and routes to plan your visit.
 
A fee-charging car park is available at the basement of Island East Sports Centre (adjacent to the Archive).
 
Hong Kong Film Archive Location Map Direction for vehicles: Head to the Tai Hong Street and Lei King Road to the Archive. Direction for pedestrains: Alight at Sai Wan Ho MTR Station, take the Exit A and walk along Tai On Street, Oi Shun Road and Lei King Road to the Archive.
 

Inclement Weather Arrangements

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.8 or above

  • The Film Archive will be closed if the signal is in force before the Film Archive opening hours.
  • The Film Archive will be closed if the signal is issued during the Film Archive opening hours.
  • The Film Archive will resume service within 2 hours if the signal is cancelled or lowered to Signal No.3 or below 3 hours or more before the normal closing time as conditions allow. The Film Archive will remain closed if the signal is cancelled or lowered to Signal No.3 or below less than 3 hours before the normal closing time.

"Extreme Conditions" *

  • The Film Archive will be closed if "extreme conditions" is in force before the Film Archive opening hours.
  • The Film Archive will resume service within 2 hours if "extreme conditions" is cancelled 3 hours or more before the normal closing time as conditions allow. The Film Archive will remain closed if "extreme conditions" is cancelled less than 3 hours before the normal closing time.
    (*In the case of serious disruption of public transport services, extensive flooding, major landslides or large-scale power outage caused by a super typhoon, the Government will make an announcement of "extreme conditions".)

Black Rainstorm Warning Signal

  • The Film Archive will be closed if the signal is in force before the Film Archive opening hours.
  • The Film Archive will remain open if the signal is issued during the Film Archive opening hours.
  • The Film Archive will resume service within 2 hours if the signal is cancelled 2 hours or more before the normal closing time as conditions allow. The Film Archive will remain closed if the signal is cancelled less than 2 hours before the normal closing time.
 

Organisational Structure

Collecting and preserving Hong Kong films

The Archive started operation in 1993, when its Planning Office was established by the then Urban Council. Besides conducting campaigns to secure and preserve films and related materials, it also launched a series of publications and presented film programmes and exhibitions. These tasks were undertaken by various sections of the Archive, namely Acquisition Unit, Conservation Unit, Cataloguing Unit, Research & Editorial Unit, Programming Unit, Systems Unit, and Administration and Venue Unit.

Upon the dissolution of the Urban Council, the Archive became a part of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in 2000.

Equipped with latest technology

The Archive building, opened in January 2001, houses in it a cinema, an exhibition hall and a resource centre, all equipped with the latest technology to restore glamour to the films of yesteryear.

Thanks to the support of filmmakers, film companies and movie lovers, the Archive has been able to put together a vast collection of treasures. It is our mission to open the Archive's collection to the public and to facilitate researchers and filmmakers in using the materials we have accumulated, so that the heritage of Hong Kong cinema can be shared.

International Scope

The Archive joined the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) in 1996. Through FIAF activities, we are able to exchange experiences with archivists from around the world and keep abreast of the latest development and technology in the field of film archiving.

Hong Kong Film Archive Layout

Hong Kong Film Archive Layout Basement: Car Park (Public Facilities) Ground Floor: Exhibition Hall and Box Office (both are Public Facilities) First Floor: Cinema (Public Facilities), Film Vault Second Floor: Cinema (Public Facilities), Film Vault Third Floor: Resource Centre (Public Facilities), Cataloguing Office, Film Vault Fourth Floor: Office, Film Lab, Storage Vault for Film-related Material Fiveth Floor: Roof, Office

Conservation Unit

The main duty of Conservation Unit is to conserve the Archive's cinematic collections. With the use of scientific methods, the invaluable and irreplaceable collections can be preserved for extended period such that they can be studied and enjoyed by the future generations.

Please click here to learn more about collection conservation information.

Cataloguing Unit (Resource Centre)

The materials acquired by the Archive are registered, sorted, catalogued, documented and preserved by the Resource Centre (Cataloguing Unit). They are categorized and catalogued according to the international classification standard Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) and Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules 2nd ed. (AACR2). The Archive collection covers a wide scope of subjects mainly on Hong Kong films. It includes numerous kinds of audiovisual and electronic materials, such as Chinese and English publications, posters and production stills. Users may browse our online catalogue through the newly developed bilingual LCSD Museums Collection Management System via the workstations at the Resource Centre or on the Internet to meet research need.

Programming Unit

Film is a medium of art, and also a medium of communication. A film contains precious informative and entertaining elements that reflect the society's changing history and culture. Our cinematic heritage is a precious record of our past through which we can gain a better understanding of our society.

To enhance public interest in of our cinematic heritage, the Archive holds regular programmes such as retrospectives, exhibitions and seminars. Periodic booklets are published to complement the programmes.

We also work with organisations such as schools, academic institutions and overseas archives to enrich our programmes and to broaden the scope of our services for the community.

Research & Editorial Unit

The Research & Editorial Unit carries out research projects and prepares publications. It makes use of the rich collection of audiovisual and archival material at the Hong Kong Film Archive, and also conducts their own research into various sources, such as periodical articles. For example, the Hong Kong Filmography series is a chronological, year-by-year account of the feature films and documentaries produced in Hong Kong. Another key area of focus is our Oral History Project, for which we conduct interviews with a great number of film industry veterans. The recordings of such interviews are archived as an important part of the Archive's collection, and at the same time, some of them are collated as part of the Oral History publication series. The Movie Talk series and other published monographs highlight the work from scholars and film experts. They are either based on seminars or scholarly contributions. In addition to the above, the Archive website also has various e-publications focusing on a wide range of topics, as well as house programmes and Newsletter, a periodical publication that reports on the goings-on at the Archive. These resources are available for free to the general public. We also regularly update the Hong Kong Film Search and Hong Kong Filmmakers Search featured on our website, so as to provide easy access and reliable information to anyone studying Hong Kong cinema.

Acquisition Unit

Acquisition is one key aspect of the Archive's front-line work. It traces the history of Hong Kong film from its inception to the present, reflecting the historical development of local film companies, studios, theatres, film processing laboratories, as well as the pattern of overseas distribution.

Please click here to learn more about Donation, Archival Collection and Archival Gems on Loan Scheme.

Systems Unit

The Museums Collection Management System newly-launched by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has replaced the existing collection management systems of the Hong Kong Film Archive, Hong Kong Heritage Museum and Hong Kong Museum of History with the aim of enhancing sharing of collection resources amongst the museums, and facilitating public access to information on museum collections.

As the frontline technical support unit, the Systems Unit renders on-site assistance to patrons encountering problems when using our workstations at the Resource Centre. It also stays in close contact with the LCSD's other museums, Information Technology Office and hardware/software maintenance contractors and suppliers to ensure the proper functioning of our computer systems.

Administration and Venue Management Unit

The Administration and Venue Management Unit are responsible for the daily operations and facility hiring of the Archive, as well as the provision of administrative support to the respective sections. We are dedicated to providing useful facilities and a comfortable environment for film researchers and the general public. We also organize Customer Liaison Meetings at regular intervals as part of our efforts to further improve our services.

 

Selection of Collection Items and Programme

In order to maintain a representative collection of films and film-related materials and to provide varied programmes for public appreciation, the following selection principles and criteria for acquisition and programming are adopted. A mechanism involving the endorsement by a Programme Committee with the advice from a panel of film advisers as and when necessary is in place to determine the acceptance of acquisition, donation and programming proposals.

Assessment Criteria for Collection Items:

  • Historical value
  • Social/Cultural significance
  • Information/Research value
  • Educational value
  • Artistic merits
  • Entertainment value
  • Language
  • Technical achievement
  • Usage and accessibility
  • "Loss principle" (while the loss of a particular item would be regretted in the future)

Assessment Criteria for Public Programmes:

  • Whether the programme falls into the scope of the Hong Kong Film Archive's vision, mission and values.
  • The idea, historical value, feasibility and educational value of the programme, as well as whether the estimated cost is reasonable.
  • Public appeal of the proposed programme.

FAQs

Q1 Where is the Hong Kong Film Archive?

50 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong (Details)



Q2 How do I get there?

The Archive is within walking distance of Sai Wan Ho MTR station. There are also bus stops near the Archive. (Details)



Q3 What are the opening hours?

Monday, Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00am - 8:00pm
Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year's Eve: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays), and the first two days of the Chinese New Year (Details)



Q4 How much is the admission fee?

Free, except for screening porgrammes at the Cinema. (Details)



Q5 Can I take photos inside the exhibitions?

You are allowed to take photos inside the Exhibition Hall. However, please do not use flash-light / lighting apparatus or tripods inside the Archive. Video and audio recording are strictly prohibited at all areas. Photo-taking may not be allowed for part of the Exhibition.

Enquiries: (852) 2739 2139



Q6 How can I access to Archive's reference materials?

Our Resource Centre, which is on the third floor of the Archive building, houses a large number and variety of collection items, audiovisual materials and books and periodicals on films. Items in our collection are not for lending. However, the public may freely read books, magazines and other film-related publications inside the Resource Centre. The public may also apply for an ‘Audiovisual Materials Viewing Card' for viewing audiovisual materials. Reservation is necessary for viewing closed stack collection.

Enquiries: (852) 2119 7360 (Details)



Q7 Are there any activities or programmes for the public?

We regularly organize retrospective screenings, thematic exhibitions, symposiums and seminars on films. You can refer details of our latest programmes to the Archive's programme catalogue ProFolio, or the Archive's website. (Details)



Q8 Can I rent the Cinema for film screenings?

Yes, both our Cinema and Exhibition Hall are open for hire. However, we only accept applications for film-related activities. (Details)



Q9 How can I get the latest Archive news?

The Archive's biannual Newsletter, programme catalogue ProFolio and website. You can also subscribe to our eNews service, to recevie latest news of the Archive by email. Besides, you can subscribe to the "Hong Kong Film Archive" YouTube channel to re-watch our online programmes.

Enquiries: (852) 2739 2139 (Details)



Q10 How can the public make donations to the Archive? How is the selection process of proposed donations?

If you would like to make a donation of Hong Kong film(s) or film-related material(s) to The Hong Kong Film Archive, you could first let us have the basic information such as your name, contact, description of the proposed donation and images of objects etc. via the following ways:


Tel: (852) 2739 2139
Fax: (852) 2311 5229
Email:  hkfa@lcsd.gov.hk
Post: Hong Kong Film Archive,
50 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong
(Please specify "Donation of film and related material(s)" on the envelope.)

Once we have received the information of the proposed donation, we will table the proposal in our regular Programme Committee Meeting and discuss it from criteria ranging from relevance to Hong Kong films, historical value and research value of the proposed donation to physical condition of the objects in the donation, etc. according to our established mechanism. Our staff members will contact the donor as soon as our decision is made.

We value immensely the continued support and contribution of all individuals and organisations in our quest for enriching the archival collection and preserving our film heritage. (Details)

Contact Us

Patron's Feedback or General Enquiries

Email: hkfa@lcsd.gov.hk

Tel: (852) 2739 2139

Fax: (852) 2311 5229


Free Mailing/Email Service of Programme Information

The Hong Kong Film Archive regularly presents a variety of film screenings and exhibitions. If you wish to receive our latest programme information, please send or fax the completed Registration Form to the Hong Kong Film Archive, 50 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong.