Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation Celebrates Fifth Edition in Dubai
ANSONBEAN, Chan Tai Lee, and Chou Man Yu Meet Dubai Audiences, Sharing Fresh Perspectives on Hong Kong’s Creative Landscape
Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) and co-presented with Cinema Akil, with support from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the Film Development Fund, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO), the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Dubai returned in full force from 8 to 12 November.
Now in its fifth edition in Dubai, the programme showcased seven Hong Kong films — six new releases (Good Game, Fight for Tomorrow, Behind the Shadows, Four Trails, My First of May, and Reborn) alongside the newly restored 4K classic Once a Thief — offering audiences a vibrant look at the creativity and diversity of Hong Kong’s new generation of filmmakers.
Three Hong Kong filmmakers — Good Game actor ANSONBEAN, Fight for Tomorrow director Chan Tai Lee, and Behind the Shadows director Chow Man Yu — travelled to Dubai for in-person post-screening Q&A, where they connected directly with local audiences and shared insights from their creative process.
The opening night ceremony was held at Cinema Akil in the 25hours Hotel, welcoming guests from Dubai’s cultural and film communities. In his remarks Mr Leo Poon, the Acting Director-General of Dubai ETO, noted that the successful hosting of the fifth edition of Hong Kong film festival in Dubai reflects the continuous creativity of Hong Kong cinema and the sustained support from local audiences. He added that the Hong Kong government is committed to promoting Hong Kong films internationally and supporting the industry in expanding its global reach, expressing hope to introduce even more outstanding works to Middle Eastern audiences.
The evening continued with the screening of the opening film Good Game, an esports-themed action drama that weaves together the stories of three generations. The screening played to a full house, with an enthusiastic response from the audience.
Lead actor ANSONBEAN also attended the post-screening Q&A, where he spoke with Middle Eastern audiences about the challenges and rewards of his first action-film role. He shared that he has long aspired to become an action actor, and Good Game marked his first opportunity to fully commit to that dream. “Because it was my first time shooting action scenes, I gave 200%,” he said. “I wanted to show the audience the best version of myself.” He also expressed gratitude to action choreographer Ken for his rigorous training, which helped him deliver smooth, powerful movements on screen.
Audiences were also curious about his portrayal of an in-game avatar, a character controlled by a real-world player. ANSONBEAN described how he built the role: “I worked closely with Will, who plays the gamer. We discussed everything — tone of voice, catchphrases, even body language — to make sure our performances stayed in sync.”
Reflecting on the future of Hong Kong action cinema, he noted that audiences are increasingly drawn to “supernatural, exaggerated and delightfully crazy action elements,” adding, “I’ll keep pushing myself and hope to go even further in Hong Kong action films.”
The screening concluded with enthusiastic applause, as audiences praised the film’s tight pacing and heartfelt emotional core. The night ended on a lively note with the film’s signature cheer — “GG!” (Good Game). The evening also featured a special presentation of the newly restored 4K version of Once a Thief, starring Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung and Cherie Chung, whose timeless chemistry and iconic performances offered a perfect bridge between Hong Kong’s vibrant new works and its beloved classics.
The following day, screenings of Fight for Tomorrow and Behind the Shadows were held at Cinema Akil in Alserkal Avenue, with directors Chan Tai Lee (Fight for Tomorrow) and Chow Man Yu (Behind the Shadows) joining in person for post-screening Q&A. Both filmmakers shared their creative approach with the audience.
Fight for Tomorrow tells the story of a father and son who rebuild their fractured relationship through Muay Thai. Speaking about the film’s action sequences, Tai Lee explained that he never viewed the project as a “pure action film”: “Every fight scene exists to drive the story forward. What matters most is the emotion behind the punches — asking why these two characters are fighting.” His insights gave audiences a deeper understanding of thefilm’s emotional layers.
When asked about his casting decisions, Tai Lee revealed that Patrick Tam was always his first and only choice for the role of the father. The script had been tailored for him eight years ago, though the film only came to fruition this year due to various delays. Casting the son, however, came as an unexpected surprise: “Locker walked into the audition with bleached blond hair — completely different from what I had imagined. But that was the moment I realised the character could look like this. So I cast him on the spot,” Tai Lee laughed.
Discussing the concept behind Behind the Shadows, director Chow Man-yu began with the cinematic image of private detectives. In many Hollywood films, he noted, private investigators are portrayed as almost superhuman — well-connected, quick to crack cases, and often involved in major government or triad-related plots. “But when I interviewed real private detectives in Hong Kong, the reality was completely different,” he explained. “They’re actually very low-profile, and most of the cases they handle are infidelity — not the big, dramatic cases people imagine.”
The film also draws inspiration from a deeply personal story close to the director. “I have a friend who fell into depression after his wife betrayed him,” Chow shared. “It hit me very hard, and it made me think: if you hurt someone with a knife, you’re held legally responsible — but when you hurt someone emotionally, why is there no consequence at all?” This question became one of the film’s core motivations.
Chow also spoke about his collaboration with co-director Jonathan Lee. Chow focused on the script and emotional arc of the characters, while Lee oversaw the technical, visual, and artistic aspects of the production. The partnership, he said, allowed them to divide responsibilities effectively and play to each other’s strengths.
Dubai audiences showed great curiosity toward Hong Kong cinema, asking thoughtful questions and seeking to learn more about the cultural context and creative ideas behind the films. Through these post-screening conversations, Hong Kong filmmakers engaged in warm and open exchanges, offering Middle Eastern viewers fresh insight into the voices and perspectives of a new generation of Hong Kong storytellers.
This year’s Dubai edition adopted the theme “Together We Dare to Redefine,” which perfectly echoed the spirit of the three Hong Kong guests — multi-hyphenate creators who move fluidly between acting, singing, writing, and directing. Their cross-disciplinary approach reflects a new wave of Hong Kong filmmakers pushing beyond traditional boundaries. Through both new works and a restored classic, their conversations offered Middle Eastern audiences a clear glimpse of a Hong Kong cinema in transformation — one that is redefining itself with fresh stories, new perspectives, and the creative energy of a new generation.
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