Asian Film Awards Academy and Busan International Film Festival Co-Host Star-Studded “Hong Kong Night”
Co-host star-studded “Hong Kong Night” ZHANG Yimou and SON Suk-ku make surprise appearances. Fala CHEN, Lokman YEUNG, Hedwig TAM, Maggie SHIU, Nancy SIT, Jonathan WONG and Derek TSANG gather to celebrate the unique charm of Hong Kong cinema.
“Hong Kong Night”, co-hosted by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) and the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), was held on 9 October at Paradise Hotel Busan. The event was sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), with support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The star-studded evening brought together distinguished guests, including PARK Kwang-su, Chairman of the Busan International Film Festival; Drew LAI, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries; and Josie LIN, Executive Director of the Asian Film Awards Academy, alongside Fala CHEN, Lokman YEUNG, Hedwig TAM, Maggie SHIU, Nancy SIT, director Jonathan WONG, Derek TSANG, and emerging Hong Kong directors. Together, they celebrated the unique charm of Hong Kong cinema and showcased the creative energy of a new generation to an international audience. Internationally renowned director ZHANG Yimou and Korean actor SON Suk-ku also made surprise appearances to show their support.
Fala CHEN, who serves as an ambassador and judging panelist for the 3rd International Film Camp (IFC), praised the vibrant networking atmosphere at “Hong Kong Night.” Sharing her thoughts on how Hong Kong cinema can reach global audiences, she emphasised the importance of preserving its local language and cultural identity: “The more specific and distinctly Hong Kong the story is, the more it will resonate with audiences.”
Meanwhile, Dead End, the winning project in the Higher Education Institution Group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative (FFFI), was selected for the “Vision – Asia” competition section of this year’s Busan International Film Festival and held its world premiere on 10 October. Emerging director Isabella LAM, together with lead actors Lokman YEUNG, Hedwig TAM and Maggie SHIU, attended “Hong Kong Night” to share insights into the film’s creative and production process, highlighting the talent and potential of Hong Kong’s new generation of filmmakers on an international stage.
Director Isabella LAM shared that she has been fascinated by the world of cinema since childhood and considers it a tremendous privilege to present her debut feature on the international film festival stage. Lokman YEUNG revealed what drew him to the role, recalling that the script had no ending when he first read it, yet its suspenseful storyline immediately captivated him. He added that he experienced the same sense of anticipation during filming as the audience would while watching, and portraying the character’s emotional turmoil also presented a challenge.
Hedwig TAM plays Lokman’s wife, while Maggie SHIU portrays her mother-in-law. Her once-happy life is turned upside down by the appearance of a mysterious boy, leading her to grow suspicious of both characters.
Maggie SHIU shared that she was touched by the young director’s passion during their first meeting and readily agreed to join the cast, demonstrating her support for Hong Kong cinema through her actions.
Hong Kong cinema legend Nancy SIT and singer-songwriter Jonathan WONG also presented their new film, Rags 2 Richmond, at “Hong Kong Night.” Nancy SIT expressed her excitement about attending the Busan International Film Festival for the first time and thanked producer Jonathan WONG for inviting her to join the project. She was particularly delighted to have the opportunity to perform “Like I Do” in the film, showcasing her singing talents and perhaps even introducing her signature cross-step dance move to a wider audience. Jonathan WONG, meanwhile, shared that he was inspired by the achievements of Hong Kong filmmakers on the international stage and the strong sense of solidarity within the industry. He expressed his gratitude to veteran industry figures such as Nancy SIT and Eric TSANG for supporting his musical film and his hope of carrying Hong Kong’s cinematic legacy forward.
Held annually during the Busan International Film Festival, “Hong Kong Night” is more than a gathering of leading figures from the Asian film industry. It serves as a bridge connecting filmmakers from Hong Kong, Korea, and beyond, bringing together creative minds to exchange ideas, forge new partnerships, and explore possibilities across borders. Through these connections, “Hong Kong Night” continues to open doors for Hong Kong cinema on the international stage, creating new opportunities for Hong Kong films and the next generation of filmmaking talent to shine worldwide.
About Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA)
The Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) was founded by the Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo International Film Festivals; it is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting Asian cinema and nurturing film talent. In addition to organising the annual Asian Film Awards, AFAA presents year-round screenings, cultural exchange programmes, talent development initiatives and international promotion projects to foster collaboration across the Asian film industry. Through these initiatives, AFAA strengthens connections among film professionals across Asia and promotes Asian cinema to international audiences.
