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Rachel Blundy

Hong Kong-born Hollywood actor Byron Mann wants to bring stories set in the city to a global audience, and seeks to represent the territory in an “honourable” way, as an award lauds his contributions to the local community.
Mann, who acted in US films and TV series such as The Big Short and Arrow, will be among eight personalities to be recognised at the Men of Hope 2017 awards, which will take place in October.
The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of these influential men, who come from diverse areas of expertise such as arts, business, education and health.
It’s fade out for Hong Kong’s film industry as China moves into the spotlight
Mann said he hoped the Hong Kong government would increase investment in the city’s film industry, which had long passed its heyday in the 80s and 90s.
“I’m trying to combine my knowledge and relationships in Hollywood to create interesting and groundbreaking stories that take place in Hong Kong for global audiences,” said Mann, who founded a Hong Kong production company this year.
The winner in the art and culture category also said: “I think the government must develop more and better financial initiatives, grants and subsidies to encourage and support Hong Kong filmmakers. We need to develop new blood in our industry, or we risk losing an entire generation of storytelling in Hong Kong.”
We need to develop new blood in our industry, or we risk losing an entire generation of storytelling
Byron Mann, actor
The Men of Hope event, started by the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation (HKAHF) in 2016, hands out prizes to individuals who make special contributions to the local community, in particular, with initiatives to help the underprivileged.
Another winner, Bryant Lu, vice-chairman of architectural and interior design firm Ronald Lu & Partners, will receive an award under the “Eco Warrior” category.
His company is responsible for several notable architectural projects in Hong Kong, including conceptualising the West Kowloon Cultural District and the Zero Carbon Building in Kowloon Bay, the first such building in the city.
Lu believes less bureaucracy and “greater collaboration between [government] departments” will help in the fight to protect the environment in Hong Kong.
“We have passed a point of no return when it comes to the environment,” he said. “This grim situation is being exacerbated by US President Donald Trump’s position on climate change. However, we cannot give up.
“Here in Hong Kong, we can set goals such as banning the use of styrofoam for the transport of seafood, banning the use of plastic straws and utensils and so on. On a broader scale, we need to set goals to replace fossil fuel-powered vehicles and find ways to encourage [more] big changes.”
Other award winners include Diocesan Boys’ School headmaster Ronnie Cheng Kay-yen, a finalist in this year’s world-renowned Global Teacher Prize given out by global charity organisation Varkey Foundation, and barrister Brandon Chau, who will be honoured for his charity A-Life Academy. The academy, which is supported by the YMCA, provides aid to underprivileged youth.
The awards event, which will be held at Club Lusitano in Central on October 25, will also see philanthropist Daris Yuen, chef Richard Ekkebus, corporate director Dr William Lo and humanitarian Jason Yip attending.
Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation’s co-chairwoman Jo Soo Tang said the Men of Hope awards would push leading entrepreneurs to create charitable partnerships.
“It is simply about pausing their lives, giving us their time and supporting those less fortunate than themselves,” she said. “The awards shortlist this year covers a very diverse range of successful individuals.”
Proceeds from the event will go towards paying for the cardiac treatment of a two-year-old heart disease patient from mainland China, who arrived in Hong Kong in late August, and is a beneficiary of the Adventist Paediatric Heart Fund.
To book tickets, visit www.HKAHF.org.hk.


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Eight winners of Hong Kong’s Men of Hope awards celebrate contributions to local community

Actor Byron Mann hopes to highlight the need to inject new investment into Hong Kong’s fading film industry. Photo: Kirk Kenny at Studio Zag

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Hong Kong

Education

Ceremony in October will honour achievements and efforts in areas such as arts, health and education
