The Hong Kong International Film Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. From late March to mid-April, cinemas and cultural venues across the city will turn into mega screens

The Magic of Wings Every parrot has a character of its own. The African grey named Baba Chicken is a gifted mimic and a born troublemaker. You always know she’s there when she calls out her signature lines: “Why do you keep looking at me?”, “Pork Chop Bun,” and “Walnut.” She loves to talk, and she loves to eat even more. When Yoyo was sixteen, Baba Chicken entered her life. The family welcomed the new member with excitement—everyone except Yoyo, who felt as if an uninvited guest had moved in. Over nine years of living together, everything slowly changed. Doubt turned into affection. As Yoyo cared for Baba Chicken, Baba Chicken was also by her side, growing with her. The parrot’s wit and playful spirit began to inspire Yoyo’s creative work and her dreams for the future. Shan Shan’s story unfolds differently. She was drawn to the charm of lovebirds — their gentle calls and soft pastel feathers. Lovebirds are known to live in pairs, but Shan Shan never expected her own parrots to become a couple. Then one day in 2023, they built a nest and welcomed six little ones. The moment filled her with deep and lasting joy. No matter what personalities these parrots display, both Yoyo and Shan Shan treasure every simple moment they share with them. Their days are never silent, often noisy, sometimes chaotic — but always filled with love and companionship beyond measure. This is the magic of wings.

A superfood has become popular in recent years. Not only is it an antioxidant, but it also helps to control body weight, enriches the blood and enhances performance during exercise! It is beetroot, which is known as the “ruby of vegetables”. In this episode, the “Food Fanatic” will take us to a local farm to harvest of three varieties of beetroot, and they will also show us how to prepare healthy and delicious “ABC juice”. Meanwhile, the chef host will teach us how to cook two Western-style dishes with colourful ingredients that are appetising and suitable for vegetarians. The two guests in this episode, artiste Ngo Ka Nin and Consultant (Surgery) Dr Irene Lo, have been vegetarians for many years. They will share their tips about healthy vegetarian diets while enjoying their meal, and introduce dietary principles such as “whole food diet” and “raw food diet”. Hosts: Icy WONG, Andy Dark (Chef) Guests: Ngo Ka Nin, Dr Irene Lo (Consultant (Surgery))

Located in the Yuen Long Industrial Area, an industry-leading large laundry company collaborates with a social welfare organization to transform logistical work into opportunities for people with disabilities to showcase their strengths. This program not only addresses manpower needs and enhances service quality but also brings dignity and a sense of achievement to the employees. Among them, the senior employee, Ho Gor, has grown from an apprentice into a trusted backbone of the factory since joining in his twenties. Department manager, Yuk Jie, patiently guides and assists disabled employees in learning and growing at work. The laundry company firmly believes that receiving the "Inclusive Buddy Award" is thanks to the support and inclusiveness of all colleagues. It is this culture that enables Ho Gor and many logistical staff to find their self-worth. On the other hand, in Hong Kong's tech industry, software testing positions are highly repetitive and require technical knowledge, involving repeated checks of code and interfaces. A local tech company collaborates with a social enterprise to offer job opportunities to youths on the autism spectrum, discovering that their traits—high focus and perseverance—are exactly the advantages needed for this position. When these traits are transformed into professional skills, the possibilities in the workplace far exceed expectations. Both companies prove that opening up to provide opportunities yields much more than anticipated.

“Live: Hong Kong Art Exhibition” is held from now until May 5 at the Hong Kong Art Gallery. 19 active artists in the Hong Kong art scene will participate.