A controversial movie about the future of Hong Kong won top prize at the city’s film awards on Sunday, despite only having a brief general release and antagonising Beijing with its depiction of the semi-autonomous territory as it tightens its grip on the region. The film, Ten Years, was made up of a series of vignettes that tap into residents’ worst fears for the territory’s future in the wake of Beijing’s tightening grip on the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
During the coronavirus pandemic, racing was forced to take a back seat as fans and racehorses were advised to stay away from tracks, but the Hong Kong Jockey Club has proved it is not afraid of a challenge, increasing prize money across the board for the 2021 season. The Group One purse is up 5.25 per cent to HK$1.46 billion, with the Class One purse gaining 5 per cent to HK$3.215 million.
“At a time when prize levels are falling worldwide, the increase in Hong Kong Jockey Club’s prizes is a significant investment in our world-class racing product,” said the club’s chief executive, Michael Harding. He added that the increases, including a 20% bump in prize money for the domestic centrepiece BMW Hong Kong Derby, were a testament to the resilience and buoyancy of the local industry.
Five Hongkongers have been nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, highlighting the city’s ongoing efforts to protect freedoms and fight for democracy. Nominees include Jimmy Lai, Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan, Joshua Wong and Gwyneth Ho, who were chosen for their “fervent dedication to protecting freedoms in Hong Kong and campaigning for democracy”.
The HK Global Development Prize is now open for entries, inviting people with innovative ideas on how Hong Kong can play a greater role as a global leader for development assistance. The competition will offer the winning submission a chance to pitch their idea to key stakeholders in the development sector and win a HK$5,000 cash prize.
Athletes who perform well at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be rewarded with extra cash incentives, the chief secretary for administration announced. Athletes who secure a gold medal will receive HK$6 million, with silver and bronze medallists receiving HK$3 million and HK$1.5 million respectively.
The Hong Kong Science Museum (HKScM) is holding an exhibition titled “2024 the Future Science Prize”, which showcases the work of Hong Kong scientists who have won the prize over the years. The exhibition will also introduce the finalists for this year’s prize, allowing visitors to learn more about their research journey and achievements. The exhibition is open to the public until November 4.
