Abstract:  Due to its geographic location and also for historical reasons, film making and film theory in Hong Kong remains separate from the framework of Mainland China. However, the film studies in Hong Kong is closely connected to that of Mainland China and constitutes an integral part of China’s film studies. It claims a unique position in China’s film studies with its rich content, distinctive local features and close relationship with film making. It also distinguishes itself for its broad research scope and a harmonious blending of the eastern and the western cultural elements. This article looks back on the beginning of Hong Kong cinema when films first appeared in newspapers and magazines and seeks to examine the representative film publications, film studies, theoretical schools, and salient characteristics of different stages, with a view to describing the evolution of local film studies in Hong Kong over the first half of the 20th century.

Key words: Hong Kong local film studies, history of China’s film studies, Hong Kong Cinema