Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Yogyakarta’s Second Adventure with “Together We Dare to Direct”
AFAA Meets Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival again — Ann Hui Masterclass, Nine films and Short Films Roadshow to Celebrate Hong Kong Cinema
The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Yogyakarta, presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) and co-organised with the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival, will be held from 30 November to 4 December 2025 in Indonesia. The programme is financially supported by the Creative Cultural Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Film Development Fund, with additional support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Jakarta.
Following the strong response to the 2023 Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Yogyakarta, AFAA returns this year with an expanded slate of feature films and short films. Renowned Hong Kong directors and filmmakers from different generations will join audiences onsite, creating meaningful cultural exchange and enriching the festival’s cinematic dialogue.
This year’s feature lineup spans a wide range of genres, including the animated film Another World, the documentary Four Trails, the romantic drama Someone Like Me, the classic action title The Killer, the crime thriller Sons of the Neon Night, and the drama The Remnant. Directors Robin Lee (Four Trails), Mandrew Kwan Man Hin (The Remnant), and filmmaker Quist Tsang (Sons of the Neon Night) will join post-screening Q&A sessions to discuss their creative perspectives with festival audiences.
As part of the theme “Together We Dare to Direct,” AFAA and the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival will co-host a masterclass featuring acclaimed director Ann Hui. A leading figure in Hong Kong cinema, Hui has received three Golden Horse Awards and six Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Director, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Asian Film Awards. In 2020, she was further recognised with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 77th Venice Film Festival, becoming the first female director to receive the honour.
To honour Ann Hui’s legacy, the Director Ann Selection will present three of her most acclaimed works. A Simple Life, starring Deanie Ip and Andy Lau, was selected for the 68th Venice International Film Festival, competing for the Golden Lion, with Ip winning Best Actress. It later became Hong Kong’s submission for the 84th Academy Awards and received major accolades including Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress at the 48th Golden Horse Awards, as well as Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress at the 31st Hong Kong Film Awards. Another highlight, July Rhapsody, featuring Jacky Cheung and Anita Mui, earned recognition at both the 21st Hong Kong Film Awards and the 39th Golden Horse Awards, winning Best Supporting Actress, Best New Performer, and Best Screenplay, further solidifying Ann Hui’s reputation for nuanced character storytelling.
The programme also features Keep Rolling, directed by Man Lim Chung, an award-winning and highly respected art director in Hong Kong cinema. Known for his long-standing collaborations with Ann Hui on films including July Rhapsody and Our Time Will Come, Man makes his directorial debut with this documentary. The film brings together insights from Andy Lau, Tsui Hark, Jia Zhangke, and Wu Nien-jen, paired with behind-the-scenes materials and personal conversations, offering a comprehensive look into Hui’s creative journey. Both Ann Hui and Man Lim Chung will join the audience for an after-screening Q&A.
The programme will further include four Hong Kong short films: Al Niente by Lam Lo, In the Midst of the Ocean by Stephenie Kay, and The Apple of My Eyes and Tomatoes Are Poisonous by Ivan Cheung. Ivan Cheung will also meet audiences to share reflections on his works.
To strengthen regional industry connections, AFAA will host a special “Hong Kong Night” networking event, bringing together filmmakers from Hong Kong, Indonesia, and across Southeast Asia. The gathering aims to encourage creative exchange, spark future collaborations, and deepen ties between Hong Kong and Indonesian film communities.
Please contact us if any questions,
Email: info@afa-academy.com
Tel: +852 3195 0608
Website: www.afa-academy.com
