Bringing Stories to Life: The Art of Production DesignProduction design shapes a film’s world, setting its tone, era, and depth of storytelling. In the upcoming conversation “Painting on the Cinematic Canvas”, seasoned designers behind many cinematic classics, HUO Tingxiao (Mainland China) from Black Dog and Kenneth MAK (Hong Kong) from Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, will share their creative process. HUO, known for his collaborations with ZHANG Yimou, has won multiple Golden Rooster Awards and received recognition at Cannes for The Emperor and the Assassin. MAK, praised for his detailed recreations of Hong Kong’s cityscapes, has worked on the Ip Man series and earned accolades from the Hong Kong Film Awards and Golden Horse Awards. Together, they will explore how production design brings stories to life and immerses audiences in the film’s world.

Scoring the Screen: The Power of Film MusicIn “Composing the Notes of Cinema”, the Best Original Music nominees—Hi’Spec (Japan) from All the Long Nights, KIM Tae-seong (South Korea) from Exhuma, KATSUMOTO Michiaki (Japan), from The Box Man, and Wan Pin CHU (Hong Kong) from The Last Dance—unite to explore the power of film music. From experimental hip-hop to orchestral scores, each composer brings a unique harmonic vision to cinema. Hi’Spec is a renowned independent hip-hop artist and longtime collaborator of director MIYAKE Sho. KIM Tae-seong has scored South Korean blockbuster epic The Admiral: Roaring Currents. KATSUMOTO Michiaki is known for his distinctive soundscapes, while Wan Pin CHU contributed to the record-breaking, the highest-grossing animated film globally, Ne Zha series. They will share their creative process and how music elevates storytelling beyond the screen.

Breaking Boundaries: The Next Wave of Asian DirectorsThis year’s Best New Director nominees, SORA Neo (Japan) from Happyend, DONG Zijian (Mainland China) from My Friend An Delie, and TRUONG Minh Quý (Vietnam) from Viêt and Nam, will take part in “Shaping Tomorrow’s Cinema”, exploring how fresh styles and perspectives are expanding filmmaking possibilities. These rising directors bring bold creativity to the screen—SORA Neo’s debut offers a distinct take on youth, DONG Zijian transitions from actor to director with a self-directed first feature, and TRUONG Minh Quý develops a striking visual identity with 16mm film in his Cannes-selected work. This discussion will explore their challenges they face, and how they are redefining cinematic storytelling for a new generation.