Acclaimed Hong Kong film director Clifton Ko recently returned to his ancestral hometown of Zhongshan, embarking on a journey to reconnect with family heritage and explore creative opportunities. During his visit, he toured the Gaojiaji neighborhood in Shiqi subdistrict and the Zhongshan Studio City, offering insights to elevate the local film industry.

Ko's itinerary began at Gaojiaji Primary School, where he wandered the surrounding lanes. This area once thrived as the ancestral home of his prominent family. However, due to the war, Ko's father relocated to Hong Kong.

"This trip transformed the old stories heard from my elders into reality," Ko reflected. "It's deepened my understanding of where I truly belong." He expressed eagerness to investigate the family's ancestral residence for historical clues and hopes to reconnect with distant relatives in Zhongshan.

The director's professional focus shifted to Zhongshan Studio City, where he conducted a detailed inspection of production facilities, technical resources and operational workflows. Engaging studio executives in substantive discussions, Ko explored collaborative potential in live performance production, film projects and talent training programs.

Noting the complex's robust filmmaking infrastructure and expansive capacity, Ko proposed transforming Zhongshan Studio City into a specialized training hub. He envisioned comprehensive programs covering play writing, artistic designing and acting techniques - a strategic move to cultivate local talents and establish the venue as a distinctive center for film education.