The Hong Kong Federation of Drama Societies said on Wednesday that it has lost its subsidy provided by the Arts Development Council, as well as a venue sponsorship by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department for an annual awards ceremony over claims that they had defamed the Council.
The federation said the allegations came after they received a letter from the Council, which has been subsidizing the body’s annual "Hong Kong Drama Awards" ceremony for years.
The letter suggested that the federation’s previous edition of the drama awards has both directly and indirectly caused damage or unfavorable impact on the reputation of the Council, leading to its decision to pull the subsidy, thus, its funding for this year’s 32nd Hong Kong Drama Awards.
The federation also noted that they have been verbally told by LCSD officials that they will not be providing a venue sponsorship for the awards ceremony.
The federation said it was surprised over the Council’s “hasty actions,” also noting that they have since written to the Council requesting clarification, yet no response was produced.
According to records, the awards ceremonies over the past 20 years were all held at LCSD venues, with its last edition held at the Kwai Tsing Theatre.
The award presenters last year included political cartoonist Wong Kei-kwan “Zunzi,” journalist Bao Choy Yuk-ling, film director Johnnie To Kei-fung, and actress Elaine Jin Yan-ling.
