FEATURES
Preview: Industry gathers in Hong Kong for Filmart, HKIFF Industry Project Market/HAF
11 March 2024
A packed week in Hong Kong kicks off this morning with the opening of the 28th Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (Filmart) and the 22nd edition of the Hong Kong Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), which is part of the newly expanded HKIFF Industry Project Market.
The Asia Video Summit, organised by the Asia Video Industry Association (Avia), runs on Wednesday/Thursday (13-14 March).
47-projects are being presented as part of the HKIFF Industry Project Market, including 15 works in progress, by filmmakers such as Lav Diaz ("Kawalan"), Janus Victoria ("Diamonds in the Sand"), Chang Tso-Chi ("Intimate Encounter"), Mark Gill ("Ravens") and "Nina Wu" director, Midi Z.
Lav Diaz's "Kawalan" is a human drama about a local community that struggles to move to the deep jungle to avoid the invading Japanese during World War II.
Produced by Lorna Tee ("Mrs K") and Dan Villegas ("Fan Girl"), "Diamonds in the Sand" is a Philippines-Japan-Malaysia co-production about an ageing Japanese salaryman who travels to Manila to escape dying alone and unnoticed.
Chang Tso-Chi's "Intimate Encounter" follows a young man who goes back to live with his grandfather during the Covid-19 pandemic, but his life is falling apart faster than he can cope.
Mark Gill's "Ravens", starring Asano Tadanobu, offers an intimate insight into the tumultuous relationship between iconic Japanese photographer, Fukase Masahisa, and his muse, Wanibe Yoko.
Produced by Midi Z and directed by Zhang Zhongchen ("The White Cow"), "The Land is Our Navel" tracks the surreal journey of a six-year-old girl who travels with a mysterious boy ghost and discovers her village’s tragic past.
This year's bumper crop of HAF projects play out against a complicated filmmaking backdrop, as well as upsized efforts by Hong Kong industry bodies to position the territory as a filmmaking hub for both Asian and international cinema.
"Hong Kong film producers are navigating the complex challenge of balancing creative expression against the evolving content regulation landscape, alongside catering to diverse markets essential for their financial viability," said Matthew Poon, project manager for the HKIFF Industry Project Market.
"The HKIFF Industry Project Market has been pivotal in supporting the...
A packed week in Hong Kong kicks off this morning with the opening of the 28th Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (Filmart) and the 22nd edition of the Hong Kong Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), which is part of the newly expanded HKIFF Industry Project Market.
The Asia Video Summit, organised by the Asia Video Industry Association (Avia), runs on Wednesday/Thursday (13-14 March).
47-projects are being presented as part of the HKIFF Industry Project Market, including 15 works in progress, by filmmakers such as Lav Diaz ("Kawalan"), Janus Victoria ("Diamonds in the Sand"), Chang Tso-Chi ("Intimate Encounter"), Mark Gill ("Ravens") and "Nina Wu" director, Midi Z.
Lav Diaz's "Kawalan" is a human drama about a local community that struggles to move to the deep jungle to avoid the invading Japanese during World War II.
Produced by Lorna Tee ("Mrs K") and Dan Villegas ("Fan Girl"), "Diamonds in the Sand" is a Philippines-Japan-Malaysia co-production about an ageing Japanese salaryman who travels to Manila to escape dying alone and unnoticed.
Chang Tso-Chi's "Intimate Encounter" follows a young man who goes back to live with his grandfather during the Covid-19 pandemic, but his life is falling apart faster than he can cope.
Mark Gill's "Ravens", starring Asano Tadanobu, offers an intimate insight into the tumultuous relationship between iconic Japanese photographer, Fukase Masahisa, and his muse, Wanibe Yoko.
Produced by Midi Z and directed by Zhang Zhongchen ("The White Cow"), "The Land is Our Navel" tracks the surreal journey of a six-year-old girl who travels with a mysterious boy ghost and discovers her village’s tragic past.
This year's bumper crop of HAF projects play out against a complicated filmmaking backdrop, as well as upsized efforts by Hong Kong industry bodies to position the territory as a filmmaking hub for both Asian and international cinema.
"Hong Kong film producers are navigating the complex challenge of balancing creative expression against the evolving content regulation landscape, alongside catering to diverse markets essential for their financial viability," said Matthew Poon, project manager for the HKIFF Industry Project Market.
"The HKIFF Industry Project Market has been pivotal in supporting the Hong Kong filmmakers, and other filmmakers in the region, through these hurdles by providing networking and funding opportunities to encourage collaboration among regions," Poon said just ahead of this year's market opening.
26 in-development projects, across a broad range of genres, are also being presented as part of the HAF programme.
The in-development projects were chosen from 256 submissions from 37 countries and regions, event organisers said in the run up to this week's presentations.
Related stories...
Previous
Next
