Jakarta
Jakarta Film Week
Jakarta
Date: 23 October – 26 October 2025
Location: Jakarta (CGV Grand Indonesia)
Guest: Day Tai, Jack Lai, Albert Leung, Delon Siu
Screening: Another World, Band Four, Possession Street, Stuntman, Sweet, Sour and Bitter…, Once Upon A Time There Was A Mountain, Bric-a-brac, Sound of Silence
Partner: Jakarta Film Week
Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) in collaboration with Jakarta Film Week, and supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the Film Development Fund, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, the “Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Jakarta” took place successfully from October 23 to 26. This marked the second year of collaboration between AFAA and Jakarta Film Week. Following the success of last year’s “Made in Hong Kong” section, the programme once again showcased the vibrant creativity and diversity of Hong Kong cinema to Indonesian audiences.
During the event, several Hong Kong filmmakers travelled to Jakarta to meet audiences in person — including composer Day Tai (Band Four), director Jack Lai (Possession Street), director Albert Leung (Stuntman), art director Delon Siu (Sweet, Sour and Bitter…), and cinematographer Sam Chan (Anatomy of a Call). In addition to post-screening Q&As, the filmmakers also participated in masterclasses, panel discussions, and the Talent Hub programme, engaging in in-depth exchanges with Southeast Asian filmmakers to share creative insights and inspire cross-cultural dialogue.
On the opening day, the Hong Kong filmmakers were invited to attend the Jakarta Film Week Opening Ceremony, where they exchanged ideas with creators from around the world and joined the celebration of Indonesia’s annual cinematic event. The occasion further strengthened the cultural and creative connection between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
This year’s Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Jakarta was held under the theme “Together We Dare to Rock”, presenting a vibrant selection of Hong Kong films that span music, family, action, and horror. Through these bold and distinctive works, Indonesian audiences were able to experience the creative energy and diverse perspectives of a new generation of Hong Kong filmmakers.
Directed by Mo Lai Yan Chi and scored by renowned Hong Kong composer Day Tai, Band Four moved Indonesian audiences with its heartfelt story about family and music. During the post-screening Q&A, Day shared insights into his creative process: “All of the main cast members are musicians — Teddy Robin, singer Kay Tse, Anna hisbbuR, and the young drummer Riley. Each of them wrote an original song for the film, and I drew inspiration from their personalities and musical styles to compose the score.”
He added that he deeply resonated with the film’s message — “to cherish one’s family.” The Indonesian audience responded enthusiastically, noting that music-centred films are rarely seen in local cinema and praising Band Four for its genuine emotion and vivid portrayal of Hong Kong’s urban warmth and humanity.
During the post-screening Q&A for the horror film Possession Street, director Jack Lai spoke with the audience about the film’s creative process and visual approach. He explained that the story is primarily set in an old shopping mall, so the production team spent considerable time before filming studying lighting and atmosphere, aiming to capture the mall’s unique “texture” through cinematography and art direction.
Jack also shared his experience working with Hollywood special effects makeup artist Mark Garbarino, known for his work on Avengers: Infinity War and Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials. “Mark and I have been good friends for years,” he said with a smile. “He was in the U.S. and I was in Hong Kong, so we often held late-night meetings to discuss every detail of the character designs. Our shared goal was to do our very best and deliver the most striking visual experience for the audience.” Jack added that Mark’s professionalism and passion made the collaboration both inspiring and fun.
Many Indonesian audience members expressed their familiarity with classic Hong Kong zombie and horror films, and given Indonesia’s own strong horror film tradition, they were especially curious about how a Hong Kong director would reinterpret the genre by blending it with local culture and style. The discussion was lively and engaging, with enthusiastic exchanges between the audience and the filmmaker.
During the post-screening Q&A for Stuntman, director Albert Leung shared that the film was deeply personal to him — a tribute to Hong Kong’s stunt performers and action choreographers. Leung, who himself entered the stunt industry at the age of 36, explained, “It’s becoming rare to see young stunt performers in Hong Kong — most of them are veterans in their forties or fifties. Through this film, I wanted to tell people that no matter your age, you still have the right to chase your dreams.”
The film not only highlights the unique spirit of Hong Kong action cinema but also delivers a heartfelt message about passion and perseverance. One audience member remarked, “Thank you for bringing us such an authentic Hong Kong story. As someone who has lived away from home for many years, I truly felt a deep sense of connection and emotion through this film.”
In addition to the feature screenings, the “Made in Hong Kong” short film section showcased four titles — Sweet, Sour and Bitter…, Once Upon a Time in the Mountain, Bric-a-brac, and Sound of Silence. Among them, Sweet, Sour and Bitter… and Once Upon a Time in the Mountain were award-winning projects from the International Film Camp 2024, while Bric-a-brac and Sound of Silence were directed by acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Yan Yan Mak. Another Hong Kong short, Anatomy of a Call, was featured in the festival’s “Global Short Competition”, highlighting the diverse visual voices and creative perspectives of Hong Kong’s emerging filmmakers.
Two post-screening Q&As were also held for the short films, featuring art director Delon Siu (Sweet, Sour and Bitter…) and cinematographer Sam Chan (Anatomy of a Call), who discussed their creative inspirations and the challenges behind their productions.
Through the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Jakarta, Indonesian audiences gained a deeper understanding of the breadth and evolution of Hong Kong cinema across genres and formats, while the event also served as a cultural bridge connecting a new generation of Hong Kong creators with audiences across Asia.
In addition to multiple post-screening Q&As, the programme featured a masterclass by acclaimed Hong Kong composer and multiple Hong Kong Film Awards winner Day Tai, a panel discussion titled “The Thrill of Genre Films” with Possession Street director Jack Lai, and the participation of emerging Hong Kong filmmakers Delon Siu (Sweet, Sour and Bitter…, art director) and Sam Chan (Anatomy of a Call, cinematographer) in the festival’s Talent Hub programme.
The masterclass featured Day Tai, an award-winning Hong Kong composer who has received multiple honours at both the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Asian Film Awards. Tai, whose notable works include The Way We Dance, She Remembers, He Forgets, Project Gutenberg, and The Way We Talk, shared insights into his creative process and his collaborations with directors.
He explained that the score for The Goldfinger was conceptualised even before filming began, then later refined to match the rhythm and tone of the visuals. “Sometimes I visit the set to experience the atmosphere firsthand — it helps me create music that feels closer to the story,” he said with a smile, “though I don’t actually enjoy being on set too much — it’s usually quite hectic, and I’m afraid of getting in the way!”
Tai also shared some of the subtle creative details behind his compositions. For example, in Zero to Hero, he used a steady, uplifting rhythm to symbolise the protagonist’s first steps after learning to walk — a motif that then continued into the following scene as the character entered school. “It’s a subtle design,” he explained. “The audience might not consciously notice it, but they’ll naturally be drawn into the story.”
During the Q&A, audience members showed great curiosity about his choice of instruments. Speaking about She Remembers, He Forgets, Tai shared how he captured the youthful, nostalgic tone of a high school setting: “It’s a story that takes place in a secondary school, so I used simple classroom instruments like recorders and triangle bells to bring out that sense of innocence.” The session ended on an engaging note, with students eagerly asking about his collaborations with directors and how he expresses emotion through music.
The panel discussion, titled “The Thrill of Genre Films,” was moderated by Indonesian filmmaker Devina Sofiyant and featured Jack Lai, director of Possession Street, Martin Lee, programmer of South Korea’s Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), and Indonesian screenwriter and producer Lele Laila. The speakers engaged in a lively exchange on the evolution and cultural significance of genre cinema across Asia.
Jack spoke about the inspiration and legacy behind Hong Kong’s zombie films. He noted that the genre enjoyed immense popularity two decades ago, and with Possession Street, his team hoped to rekindle audiences’ affection for Hong Kong horror. When asked about the father-daughter storyline woven into the film, he explained, “Every film needs emotion. As a father myself, I often think about when my daughter will truly grow up — that reflection became part of the story.”
Audience members also remarked that classic Hong Kong horror films often carried a sense of humour. Lai responded, “That actually reflected the social atmosphere at the time — during Hong Kong’s economic boom, producers didn’t want films to feel too heavy, so directors would weave in slices of everyday life and moments of humour to make them more relatable.” He added, “A good genre film should always stay connected to real life.”
Other panelists brought perspectives from the Korean and Indonesian film industries. Martin Lee highlighted the strong roots of genre cinema across Asia and praised the younger generation of filmmakers for pushing creative boundaries. Lele Laila added that horror is a “universal language,” explaining, “Fear and emotion are experiences we all share — they transcend language and culture.”
Two emerging Hong Kong filmmakers — art director Delon Siu (Sweet, Sour and Bitter…) and cinematographer Sam Chan (Anatomy of a Call) — were invited to take part in Jakarta Film Week’s three-day Talent Hub programme, joining rising filmmakers from across Asia for a series of industry visits and creative exchanges.
During the programme, they visited Indonesian OTT streaming platform Vidio and post-production company Super 8mm Studio, and attended several thematic talks and workshops to gain first-hand insight into Indonesia’s film production landscape and creative ecosystem.This cross-cultural exchange gave the two Hong Kong creators a deeper understanding of how different Asian markets operate — expanding their professional perspectives and paving the way for future regional collaborations.
Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) and supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the Film Development Fund, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, the “Hong Kong Night” industry networking event gathered filmmakers from Hong Kong, Indonesia, and across Southeast Asia for an evening of lively exchange and cross-cultural dialogue in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
Libera Cheng, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, delivered the opening speech, highlighting the Hong Kong SAR Government’s dedication to advancing the city’s film industry and deepening international collaboration. She noted that the government actively supports Hong Kong filmmakers’ participation in film festivals around the world, further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a cultural bridge between East and West.
Rina Damayanti, Festival Director of Jakarta Film Week, also expressed her delight at collaborating with AFAA once again, sharing her hope to continue showcasing more Hong Kong films to Indonesian audiences in the years to come.
Guests in attendance included composer Day Tai (Band Four), director Jack Lai (Possession Street), director Albert Leung (Stuntman), art director Delon Siu (Sweet, Sour and Bitter…), and cinematographer Sam Chan (Anatomy of a Call), as well as Malaysian director Chong Keat Au and Indonesian actress and Jakarta Film Week ambassador Claresta Taufan. Throughout the evening, filmmakers exchanged ideas and experiences, reflecting the strong creative connection between Hong Kong and the wider Southeast Asian film community.
Through a series of masterclasses, panel discussions, Talent Hub activities, and industry networking events, the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Jakarta not only highlighted the professionalism and creativity of Hong Kong filmmakers, but also fostered new opportunities for collaboration between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Echoing this year’s theme, “Together We Dare to Rock,” the programme celebrated Hong Kong cinema’s bold and distinctive artistic voice — one that continues to evolve through music, emotion, and innovation, capturing the spirit of a new generation of filmmakers.
Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Jakarta Film Week: “Made In Hong Kong”
Film Lineup:
Another World
Band Four *Post-screening talk: Day Tai (Composer)
Possession Street *Post-screening talk: Jack Lai (Director)
Stuntman *Albert Leung (Director)
Short Film Lineup:
Sweet, Sour and Bitter… *Post-screening talk: Delon Siu (Art Director)
Once Upon A Time There Was A Mountain
Bric-a-brac
Sound of Silence
Anatomy of a Call (Global Short Competition 2) *Post-screening talk: Sam Chan (Cinematographer)
MASTERCLASS X MTN AsahBakat: Film Scoring & Original Song!
Speaker: Day Tai
Date: 23 October 2025
Time: 09:00–13:00 WIB
Venue: Ruang Sjumandjaja, Fakultas Film dan Televisi, Institut Kesenian Jakarta (IKJ)
Industry Talk: The Thrill & Jumpscare of Genre Films
Speakers: Jack Lai, Martin Lee, Lele Laila
Date: 24 October 2025
Time: 15.00–17.00 WIB
Venue: Art Performance Stage, Galeri Indonesia Kaya
Asian Film Awards Academy
The Asian Film Awards Academy, a non-profit organization, was founded by Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo International Film Festivals with the shared goal of celebrating excellence in Asian cinema. Aiming to promote and recognise Asian films and its talents, AFAA highlights, strengthens and develops Asian film industry through the annual Asian Film Awards and several year-round initiatives.
Our year-round events and programmes are held with the objectives to promote Asian films to a wider audience, expand the film market within Asia, and build and sustain connections among Hong Kong and international film professional. Masterclass Series – in conversation with filmmakers, Journey to the fest – Student Visit to International Film Festivals, Asian Cinerama – Film Roadshow, and Young Film Professionals Programme – overseas training and work-placement, are examples of our year-round programmes. These programmes could not have held successfully without the financial support of Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), formerly known as Create Hong Kong, and Film Development Fund (FDF) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. AFAA has worked to promote, educate, inform and develop knowledge, skills and interest in Asian cinema among the industry, students and audiences in Asia and beyond with the support of film festivals and cultural organizations.
Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency
CCIDA, formerly known as Create Hong Kong is established in June 2024and is a dedicated office set up by the HKSAR Government under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. It provides one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative industries with a mission to foster a conductive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate the development of arts, cultural and creative sectors as industries.
Film Development Fund
The FDF was first set up by the Government in 1999 to support projects conducive to the long-term development of the film industry in Hong Kong. Since 2005, the HKSAR Government has injected a total of $1.54 billion into FDF to support Hong Kong’s film industry along four strategic directions, namely nurturing talent, enhancing local production, expanding markets and building audience. In the past, FDF has supported a number of film productions and other film-related projects through various film production funding schemes and other film-related project schemes.
Please contact us if any questions,
Email: info@afa-academy.com
Tel: +852 3195 0608
Website: www.afa-academy.com
