Final preparations are underway for the first full-scale in-person Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) since the beginning of Covid, gathering the international film and TV industry to the territory for the first time in three years and drawing attention back to Hong Kong’s role as a central gathering point for the region.

This year’s four-day FILMART opens on Monday, 13 March, a little over a month since Hong Kong lifted visitor quotas and Covid-19 vaccination requirements for inbound visitors. 

For many delegates, FILMART marks their first visit to Hong Kong since the 2019 exhibition. Despite sweeping industry uncertainty, many arrive at FILMART with high hopes for kickstarting their businesses in the new post-pandemic normal. 

In addition to hosting the Asian and international industry, FILMART also coincides with the Hong Kong Government’s multi-million dollar initiatives to draw visitors back to Hong Kong. 

The return of the physical market floor involves more than 20 large-scale pavilions, housing around 600 exhibitors from 25 countries and regions.

The worldwide pavilions include Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Italy, the U.S. and Europe.

Asian exhibitors - led by Mainland China - continue to have a strong presence, especially three key Mainland Chinese streaming platforms iQiyi, Tencent and Youku, as well as renowned HK filmmakers such as Edko, Emperor Motion Pictures, Golden Scene, Media Asia, One Cool Pictures, PCCW Media, Universe and many more.

Participating Mainland Chinese provinces include Beijing, Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan, Hangzhou, Jiangsu, Haining and Ningbo, among others.

In addition to the large-scale exhibition, the FILMART agenda also features seminars, business matching, screenings and other events.

Korean content returns to Hong Kong stronger than ever this year against a backdrop of soaring demand for premium K-drama and variety, and rising interest in Korean non-scripted/reality titles.

The market floor will host two Korean pavilions, both FILMART regulars – government agency, The Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), and the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism-backed Korean Film Council (KOFIC).

Korean companies attending this year include Contents Panda and K-Movie Entertainment, both of which will host their own stands. 

Contents Panda’s programme highlights include "Soulmate", directed by Min Yong-geun and produced by Climax Studio and Andmarq in association with Studio&New and Keyeast. 

Korean films at the market this year are led by "Soulmate", an adaptation of the 2016 Chinese film, which releases theatrically in Korea in March. 

"Soulmate" stars Kim Da-mi and Jeon So-nee in the story of two girls who vow never to be separated until romance gets in the way. 

Among the top Korean TV titles at the market this year is "Rebound", distributed by K-Movie Entertainment. Written by Kwon Sung-hui ("Narco-Saints") and Kim Eun-hee ("Kingdom"), and directed by Chang Hang-jun ("Forgotten"), "Rebound" is based on a true story about a high-school basketball team in Busan.

The conference agenda kicks off with a dialogue entitled “Entering the New Era of Entertainment” with executives from Korean media conglomerate CJ ENM, India’s Zee Entertainment, and Thailand’s BEC World.

China’s animation as soft power is also a core discussion theme on FILMART’s official conference agenda, along with a look at what the future holds for Hong Kong movies.

Dating and romance lead the formats conversation in a session tagged “Hype behind Dating and Romance Reality Shows”.

Running alongside FILMART is the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society’s 21st Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF21). 

28 in-development projects have been shortlisted for this year’s event, which runs from 13-15 March. The 28 were shortlisted from 244 submissions from 38 countries and regions.

The HAF21 line-up includes seven projects from Hong Kong and eight that passed through HAF Film Lab, as well as films from Arsalan Amiri, Fruit Chan and Jakrawal Nilthjamrong. Genres include horror, fantasy, romance, family drama and animation.

Last year’s FILMART, held 100% online, drew more than 700 exhibitors with 2,400+ new production showcases, and upwards of 8,000 participants.

Companies from 41 countries and regions participated last year, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, the Middle East, India, Europe and North America.

Sponsored content brought to you by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) / FILMART. Published in ContentAsia's 20 Feb - 5 Mar 2023 eNewsletter