Monaco Government Tourist Bureau Asia held their second Monaco Film Festival in Hong Kong from 1 to 16 December 2018. Led by Asia Director Benoit Badufle and Zhi Heng Yew, the event achieved greater results this year, with thanks to engagement with partners and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), reaching to a potential number of 150,000 in terms of ticket sales, media (traditional and social) reach and word-of-mouth.
Monaco Film Festival was held, this year, at the Emperor Cinemas, the main venue of the movie screenings. Key partners include
– Opera Gallery – main venue for Elizabeth Wessel’s pop-up exhibition,
– Beefbar Hong Kong – main partner for introducing a Monaco menu during the Monaco Film Festival period,
– Consulat de France a Hong Kong et Macao – our promotional partner who sent out an EDM to their database of 30,000 subscribers as well as to 50,000 under the EU community in Hong Kong, who also helped us to clear the censorship fees with the Hong Kong Authority for the French movies shown under the Monaco Film Festival,
– Digital Business Lab – Hong Kong-based social media agency specialising in increasing exposure and reach on mainly Facebook and Instagram
– and lastly, Bomanbridge Media – providing assistance in negotiations and rights acquisition for the films.
Other sponsors include:
– L’Orangerie
– Crème Simon
– Perrier Jouet
– APM Monaco
And notably, Mango PR, who was our local liaison for the event.
In presenting a holistic cultural event, such as Monaco Film Festival, Monaco Tourism Bureau Asia invited renowned artist and designer, Elizabeth Wessel, to Hong Kong, presenting her personal works as well as the original copies of all the artwork for Monaco’s tourism and ‘Green is the New Glam’ campaigns. The works, including sketches, canvas and fashions, were presented at the top floor of Opera Gallery for one week to allow for public viewing.
The opening vernissage was held on 5 December 2018, where VIPs such as Steven Saltzman and the Deputy Consul General of France to Hong Kong and Macau, Mrs. Paule Ignatio, attended and interacted with Elizabeth herself, who came to Hong Kong to witness the opening.
Taking advantage of a Monegasque brand operating in Hong Kong, Monaco Tourism Bureau Asia also organised a media lunch with the top tier journalists, such as South China Morning Post, Singtao Daily and #legend, at the Michelin-star awarded Beefbar at Lan Kwai Fong, the trendiest area for nightlife in Hong Kong.
The journalists were served with Monegasque delights during the afternoon, with a Monaco Spritz as a welcome drink, followed by Barbajuan for starters and Crepe Suzette for dessert, amongst Beefbar classics like beef sliders and steak with whipped potatoes. The menu was also introduced as a monthly special to guests at the Beefbar for one week, from 7 to 13 December 2018.
Finally, Monaco Film Festival ended the week of activities with a gala cocktail event at the trendiest location in Hong Kong as of late – Tai Kwun – which was a former magistrate and jail that was transformed into a historical art monument open to the public. The cocktail was held inside this 300,000 square feet complex, specifically at Laundry Steps and the Lower E Hall, where after, guests were escorted upstairs to JC Cube theatre.
The event was graced by Honorary Consul of Monaco to Hong Kong, Mr. Chee-Chen Tung, who delivered a speech about Monaco to a 150-person crowd. Guests were able to view <<Monaco: Back to the future>> during the cocktail, and then watch <<To Catch A Thief>> at the cinema theatre.
For more information, please visit the official Monaco Film Festival website.