Latest news with #HKIFF
South China Morning Post
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Catch cinematic gold at Hong Kong International Film Festival 2025
Sit back and break out the popcorn as the 49th edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) prepares to fire up the projectors from April 10 to 21. The 2025 edition of one of Asia's oldest cinematic events will screen nearly 200 films from 69 countries and regions, including six world premieres, two international premieres and 52 Asian premieres. A still from Louis Koo Tin-lok's Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. Photo: courtesy Entertaining Power Co Limited HKIFF's main draw this year is Louis Koo Tin-lok , who has become a household name over a 32-year career producing movies as well as starring in some of Hong Kong's biggest box-office successes of recent years, including Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024). As the festival's Filmmaker in Focus, Koo will present 10 films he has starred in alongside a commemorative book. Advertisement Joining Koo in the role of official ambassador is Hong Kong Film Awards and Taipei Golden Horse Awards best-actress nominee Angela Yuen Lai-lam. Hidetoshi Nishijima in a still from The Brightest Sun. Photo: courtesy Sony Pictures Festival openers will be The Brightest Sun (2025), which marks Japanese director Tetsuya Nakashima's first film in seven years, followed by Pavane for an Infant (2024), by Malaysian filmmaker Chong Keat Aun, which casts actress Fish Liew Chi Yu in a drama exploring the country's abandoned baby crisis. Other films to catch include Shoplifters (2018) and 100 Yen Love (2014) starring Sakura Ando, who will present her latest film, Bad Lands (2023); and Catalan filmmaker Albert Serra's documentary Afternoons of Solitude (2024), an introspective portrayal of a matador that won the Golden Shell award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. Finnish auteur Juho Kuosmanen will also be in town as part of HKIFF's Meet the Filmmaker series, where he will introduce his Silent Trilogy (2024), consisting of three shorts. Filipina actress Nora Aunor in a still from Bona. Photo: courtesy V Productions Hot on the heels of Tilda Swinton's recent visit to M+ to promote the art of film restoration, HKIFF will feature a slew of restored masterpieces throughout the programme, ranging from Akira Kurosawa's epic Seven Samurai (1954), which has been revitalised in 4K to commemorate its 70th anniversary, as well as Filipino filmmaker Lino Brocka's lost 1980 masterpiece Bona, which has been restored and is being shown for the first time in more than four decades. Advertisement
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Studio 100 Rides Animation Wave as Hong Kong Market Takes Aim at Booming Toons
The gobsmacking success of Chinese animated feature 'Ne Zha 2,' which recently topped $2 billion in China to become the first ever to break that record in a single market, has got toon-makers in Asia, well, animated… More from Variety Hong Kong's FilMart Gets Animated as More Toons Join Project Market Lineup Aaron Kwok Drama 'IOU' Unveiled by Distribution Workshop at Hong Kong FilMart 'Game of Thrones' Star Iain Glen Joins TBA Studios' Philippines Historical Biopic 'Quezon' (EXCLUSIVE) 'Ne Zha 2' is now well on track to become one of the six best-performing movies of all time. These are heady days for toons in Asia. The HKIFF Industry Project Market has seen a staggering 60% jump in animation submissions versus last year — of the 48 projects in the project market, six are toon features. 'Animation may be an area that Hong Kong is trying to play a role to become some kind of a hub that people can come and exchange ideas and projects … we think this may be an area for growth,' HKIFF industry director Jacob Wong told Variety. 'We have people coming in from Japan, a traditional powerhouse production country for animation. And then we have people coming in from China, who recently produced this mega-box office animation hit ('Ne Zha 2'). And then we have people coming in from Indonesia, which is a major animation production country in Southeast Asia. They do a lot of animation for children, which is a really big market,' said Wong. The animation slate in the project market comprises both industry veterans and rising toon talents, including Hong Kong director Toe Yuen ('My Life as McDull,' 2003 Annecy best film winner) whose 'A Mighty Adventure' (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia) was shot live in Taiwan, with 90% of computer animation completed in Malaysia. The development slate includes Kunming-born artist Gao Yuan's 'Cloud of the Unknown' (Hong Kong, France), backed by producer Isabelle Glachant. Gao's previous short of the same name premiered at Locarno 2020, winning the Arte Laguna prize. Mumbai-based Triparna Maiti brings 'The Tale of the Holy Beast' (India), which previously pitched at Annecy's Mifa market, the Busan Asian Project Market and Seattle's Tasveer Film Market. Rounding out the animation slate is Xu Zao's 'Light Pillar' (China), produced by actor-director Da Peng. Among the companies hoping to ride the wave of Asian animation is success is Munich-based family entertainment specialist Studio 100 Film. After securing strong international sales across multiple territories for 'Miss Moxy' and 'North', Studio 100 Film is seeking Asian distribs at FilMart for its slate of animated films. As well as 'Miss Moxy' and 'North', Studio 100 Film is bringing 'Rally — From Paris to the Pyramids', helmed by Rasmus A. Sivertsen ('Captain Sabertooth and the Magic Diamond') and written by Rob Sprackling ('Gnomeo & Juliet'). The film is set for delivery at the end of 2025. 'The global animation market remains vibrant, with a strong appetite for independent productions. However, given the saturation of animated content in the market, quality has become the key differentiator. Distributors are seeking well-crafted stories with broad audience appeal, ideally on strong Ips,' said Lucrecia Magnanini, who manages sales and acquisition at Studio 100 Film. 'We are closing strong deals in markets like Taiwan and Vietnam, which reflects the ongoing potential for quality animated content,' she said. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hong Kong Market Expands With Animation, Indonesian Showcases
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society has rounded out its 2025 HKIFF Industry Project Market with eight new titles, bringing the total to 48 projects, the highest in recent years. The expansion includes six animation features and two Indonesian projects, bolstering the market's presence in Asian film development. Set to run March 17-19 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre alongside FilMart, the market has seen a 60% jump in animation submissions compared to last year. The animation slate features both industry veterans and emerging talents, including Hong Kong director Toe Yuen ('My Life as McDull,' 2003 Annecy best film winner) whose 'A Mighty Adventure' (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia) was shot live in Taiwan with 90% of computer animation completed in Malaysia. More from Variety Fan Bingbing, Lee Kang-Sheng Star as Hong Kong's HAF Unveils 15 Work-in-Progress Projects, Alumni Head to Berlin Animation Industry Coalition to Launch Wildfire Fundraiser at Annie Awards Kore-eda Hirokazu, High-Profile Asian Filmmakers Back New Wave of Hong Kong HAF Projects Among the other works-in-progress are China's 'Min' by Li Jiajia, a professor at the School of Animation and Games of the China Academy of Art, with Liu Jian producing (whose 'Have a Nice Day' and 'Art College 1994' both competed at Berlin), and 'Wildheart' (France, Belgium, Japan) from Tokyo-born Marceau Nakayama, produced by Justin Ambrosino. The development slate includes Kunming-born artist Gao Yuan's 'Cloud of the Unknown' (Hong Kong, France), backed by producer Isabelle Glachant. Gao's previous short of the same name premiered at Locarno 2020, winning the Arte Laguna prize. Mumbai-based Triparna Maiti brings 'The Tale of the Holy Beast' (India), which previously pitched at Annecy's Mifa market, the Busan Asian Project Market and Seattle's Tasveer Film Market. Her 2022 diploma film 'Water' screened at Anifilm and Monstra. Rounding out the animation slate is Xu Zao's 'Light Pillar' (China), produced by actor-director Da Peng. Xu's 43-minute animation 'No Changes Have Taken in Our Life' previously nabbed the Golden Dove at DOK Leipzig. 'Outstanding animated projects from previous HAF editions, such as Liu Jian's second Berlinale entry, 'Art College 1994,' and Yee Chih-yen's Golden Horse Award winner, 'City of Lost Things,' have instilled in us the conviction to showcase and promote promising talents and projects through this new animation initiative,' said Jacob Wong, director of HKIFF Industry. The market is also launching Jakarta Film Week Projects, showcasing two Indonesian filmmakers. JFW Festival Director Rina Damayanti sees this collaboration as crucial for increasing Indonesian cinema's global visibility. Jakarta-born Chinese Indonesian filmmaker Jason Iskandar, whose debut 'Akhirat: A Love Story' ranked 15th at Indonesia's 2021 box office, brings 'First Breath After Coma,' produced by Florence Giovani Chandra and Shanty Harmayn. Game development veteran Pelixiano, with 18 years of industry experience, presents the animated 'Fly!' with producer Ellen Xie. The event runs concurrent with FilMart, the Asian film market that draws over 8,000 industry professionals annually. The region is currently buzzing with the success of Chinese animated sequel 'Ne Zha 2,' which released over the Lunar New Year holidays and has crossed $1.6 billion at the box office. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fan Bingbing, Lee Kang-Sheng Star as Hong Kong's HAF Unveils 15 Work-in-Progress Projects, Alumni Head to Berlin
Hong Kong International Film Festival Society's (HKIFF)'s Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) has announced a slate of 15 work-in-progress features, showcasing a mix of established auteurs and emerging talent from across Asia. The projects will be presented at the expanded HKIFF Industry Project Market, running March 17-19 alongside Hong Kong's FilMart. They join a slate of previously announced 25 in-development projects. More from Variety Berlin Film Festival Jury: Fan Bingbing, Nabil Ayouch, Maria Schrader and More Join President Todd Haynes Kore-eda Hirokazu, High-Profile Asian Filmmakers Back New Wave of Hong Kong HAF Projects Hong Kong Film Council Revamps Financing Scheme to Boost Local Productions Leading the pack are new works from acclaimed filmmakers, including Golden Horse winner Huang Ji's 'A Woman Builds,' co-directed with Otsuka Ryuji, which explores a Chinese woman's quest to build a house while separated from her Japanese family during COVID-19. Qiu Jiongjiong, whose 'A New Old Play' nabbed Locarno's Special Jury Prize, returns with 'Fuxi: Joy in Four Chapters,' a dark comedy about Sichuan cuisine featuring 'Stranger Eyes' star Lee Kang-Sheng. Other notable projects include Chong Keat Aun's 'Mother Bhumi,' headlined by Chinese superstar Fan Bingbing, a mystery about a widowed farmer confronting her husband's death, Sakamoto Yukari's supernatural boarding school tale 'White Flowers and Fruits' with 'Drive My Car' producer Yamamoto Teruhisa, and Yashasvi Juyal's migrant worker drama 'The Ink-Stained Hand and the Missing Thumb.' The lineup marks several directorial debuts, including Indonesian actor Reza Rahadian's 'Pangku,' tackling the controversial practice of lap-sitting in coffee shops, and Tribeny Rai's 'Shape of Momo,' which earned top honors at India's NFDC Film Bazaar WIP lab. Genre offerings include Isabel Sandoval's 1970s Manila-set 'Moonglow,' starring the director alongside Arjo Atayde, and Wang Tong's 'Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts,' featuring Wan Qian and Qu Chuxiao in a twisted romance between a zookeeper and a serial killer. The youth-focused slate includes Ang Geck Geck's 'Ah Girl,' about a seven-year-old caught between divorced parents, and Tracy Choi's 'Girlfriends,' starring Jennifer Yu and Fish Liew in a tri-city romance spanning Macau, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Joining them are Gong Yiwen's documentary-styled 'Her First Taste,' capturing raw adolescent emotions through an amateur cast, and Li Jing's 'Name and Hair,' following a teenage girl's quest to change her identity. Rounding out the WIP selection are emerging filmmakers Emetjan Memet's 'Good Drink Pub,' a Xinjiang-set romantic comedy about a lovelorn pub owner, and Liu Xing's 'Say My Name,' starring Yoyo Tse and Jack Tan in a tale of identity deception and romance. The forum has also proven its industry muscle with four alumni projects making waves in Europe. Huo Meng's 'Living the Land' competes for Berlin's Golden Bear, while Jun Li's 'Queerpanorama' and Min Kyu-dong's 'Pag-wa' screen in Panorama and Special sections respectively. Li Dongmei's 'The Fruit' recently premiered in Rotterdam's Tiger Competition. The projects will participate in open pitch sessions at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, offering industry professionals first looks at these upcoming features from the region. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
