“Hong Kong Night” Shines Bright at the 30th Busan International Film Festival
Over 600 Filmmakers and Guests Gather as Sylvia Chang, Shu Qi, Chang Chen, and Angelica Lee Lead the Line-Up
Co-hosted by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) and the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), the annual “Hong Kong Night” was held on September 19 at the Paradise Hotel Busan. With sponsorship from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDAHK) and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), and supported by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the event has become one of the key networking occasions of the festival, with a mission to spotlight Hong Kong cinema and strengthen ties between filmmakers across Asia and beyond.
Sylvia Chang brought her latest production Measure in Love to its world premiere in Busan this year, while also receiving the Camellia Award at the festival’s opening ceremony in recognition of her contributions as a female filmmaker to Asian cinema. At “Hong Kong Night,” Chang said: “The Busan premiere of Measure in Love is deeply meaningful for me and the team. I am grateful to the Hong Kong Film Development Council’s Directors’ Succession Scheme, which has enabled veteran filmmakers to collaborate with the next generation of directors.” She added: “What makes this film most rewarding is the opportunity to work with young directors, learning how to better allocate resources and to explore what’s possible beyond the filming itself.”
Josie Lin, Executive Director of the Asian Film Awards Academy, said: “If this party were a movie, we’d already be hitting the box office jackpot just from the talent in this room. Tonight, let’s celebrate the ups, the downs, and all the ‘cut!’ moments that got us here. My sincere thanks to the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the Hong Kong Film Development Council, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council for their support in making this evening possible.”
Park Kwang-su, Chairperson of the Busan International Film Festival, also addressed the audience: “The Asian Film Awards Academy and the Busan International Film Festival have maintained a truly wonderful relationship. I sincerely hope this relationship continues to go well in the future. I sincerely welcome all of you to Busan, and I hope you create many happy memories here.”
Irene Yuen, Head (Film Promotion and Facilitation), the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDAHK), also addressed the audience: “This year, Measure in Love, funded by the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) and produced by Sylvia Chang, had its world premiere in the ‘Open Cinema’ section, and we are also proud that Tony Leung Ka Fai is serving as a jury member in the festival’s competition section. Cinema has the power to transcend borders, and ‘Hong Kong Night’ is a bridge that connects filmmakers from around the world.”
In addition to Sylvia Chang, guests included actors Shu Qi, Chang Chen, and Angelica Lee, as well as Japanese director Yoshiyuki Okuyama, Berlinale Director Tricia Tuttle, and international filmmakers Teo Yoo and Justin Min. The event also drew numerous distributors and festival representatives, underscoring its international reach. Shu Qi described her first time in “Hong Kong Night” is a truly captivating experience, energized by the incredible and enthusiastic crowds with many new faces she met, while also expressing her hope that Hong Kong cinema will continue to thrive. Chang Chen commented: “Hong Kong Night was a real success. I saw many familiar faces and even caught up with Sylvia Chang. That’s the beauty of a festival — you meet new friends here, and before long, they become old friends.” Angelica Lee added: “I’m so happy to be part of Hong Kong Night at the Busan International Film Festival and to reunite with so many friends I haven’t seen in a long time.”
This year’s Asian Film Awards theme, “Together We Dare,” also inspired reflections on courage. Asked about the boldest challenge in his career, Chang Chen recalled a wire stunt from Monk Comes Down the Mountain: “The wire was extremely long, as high as ten floors, and I had to fly over rooftops — it was a very daring experience.” Shu Qi shared that her own courage came from stepping into a new role: “Moving from actress to director, taking on my first film as a director was a brave attempt. I believe having a dream is the most beautiful thing — and if you have one, you should go after it!”
Also present were four Hong Kong producers — Kinnie CHEUNG, Terence CHOI, CHONG Shuk Fong and WANG Yin Ming — who took part in the “Producer Hub” exchange programme at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), where they connected with regional counterparts to explore new opportunities for co-production and collaboration.
The evening concluded with a toast and a group photo, rounding off a night of lively celebration. The vibrant atmosphere underscored Hong Kong’s role as a hub of Asian cinema and added a memorable highlight to this year’s Busan International Film Festival.
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