Indies Under Pressure.

The article discusses the challenges faced by indie films in Hong Kong and mainland China. While tentpole films have thrived, indie films have struggled to secure funding and attract audiences during the pandemic. The Hong Kong film industry experienced a brief resurgence in 2022 with surprise box office successes, but the reasons behind this are still debated. Some attribute it to a retreat after filmmakers tried their hand in the mainland Chinese market, while others point to the audience's embrace of local stories and their identity as Hong Kongers. However, the future of Hong Kong cinema is uncertain due to mounting political pressures and censorship. Hong Kong is making efforts to revive its film industry and become a regional hub for film, including announcing new funding for co-productions. In mainland China, there are also initiatives to support the indie sector and create opportunities for films that fall between blockbusters and niche titles. [Extracted from the article]