Hong Kong's world-famous movie industry wants to bring back the heydays of the 1970s to the 1990s by investing in a new generation of directors, the chairman of the city's film development council told Reuters at the Cannes Film Festival.

"We should not forget our identity. How the people all over the world would look at us when they recognize a Hong Kong movie," said Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, chairman of the council that is mainly responsible for the special administrative region government funding of the industry.

The council and the city’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau led an industry delegation to the festival, in the hope of showcasing Hong Kong productions and expanding collaboration opportunities with international counterparts.  

Hong Kong cinema exploded in the 1970s with Bruce Lee's martial arts films. Following his death, that mantle was taken up by Jackie Chan.

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The industry expanded into other genres and became the darling of international film festivals with titles such as In the Mood for Love, Infernal Affairs and Kung Fu Hustle.

Stars like Andy Lau, Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Cheung, and directors such as John Woo and Johnnie To, were frequently seen walking on the festival's red carpet.

Hong Kong's Film Development Council (FDC) is now looking to provide further backing by financially supporting new directors' first film initiative.

The council has in recent years groomed 32 new directors, said Wong.

One of those new talents, director and actor Juno Mak, wrote and directed the Cannes out-of-competition film Sons of the Neon Nights, starring veteran actor Tony Leung Ka-fai.

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"It's kind of happiness, joy, enjoyable and satisfaction. So we can again show to all the audience and all the people in the world what Hong Kong productions are going on now," Leung Ka-fai said.

The 67-year-old actor said Hong Kong's film industry was in need of new blood.

"We need new generations of directors, new generations of actors and actresses, new generations of script writers, new generations of every part that makes this dream," he said.

To increase exposure for Hong Kong talents and support them to explore overseas opportunities, the council set up a pavilion at the festival’s film market, along with a series of activities such as a networking reception, which attracted over 800 industry representatives and filmmakers from around the world. The council also held several seminars and business matching sessions featuring filmmakers and producers from Europe, Asia, and Hong Kong.

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FDC Secretary-General Gary Mak Sing-hei said he hopes the array of events will help promote Hong Kong films’ brand name to industry professionals and audiences around the world, as well as boost exchanges with international counterparts.

During the festival, the Hong Kong delegation also strengthened connections with many film organizations, including the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée of France, UNIJAPAN, and Venice International Film Festival.