“Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” Opens in Dubai to Warm Reception
The opening ceremony drew an enthusiastic crowd, with attending filmmakers and cultural leaders celebrating the launch of the week-long showcase of Hong Kong cinema.
Following the successful conclusion of the 18th Asian Film Awards on March 16, this year’s “Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” officially launched its first stop in Dubai, kicking off a new season of international outreach. Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy in collaboration with the local independent cinema Cinema Akil, the Dubai programme is supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the Film Development Fund, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai. The event opened on March 22 with a week-long showcase of new Hong Kong films and restored classics, drawing an enthusiastic response from audiences across the Middle East.
At the opening ceremony, Leo POON, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai, and Khalid Al Sabi, General Manager of Cinema Akil, delivered welcome speech to open the event. Mr. POON expressed his pleasure at returning to Dubai for the fourth consecutive year, saying, “We are delighted to be back once again to showcase the energy and talent of Hong Kong’s film industry.” He highlighted the ongoing collaboration with Cinema Akil and emphasised Hong Kong’s role as a cultural crossroads between East and West, reaffirming the city’s commitment to promoting its creative industries globally.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Hong Kong filmmakers, including Oliver Siu Kuen Chan, director of “Montages of a Modern Motherhood”; Thomas Lee, director of “An Abandoned Team”; and actress Sheena Chan from “Blossoms Under Somewhere”, along with film critic Patrick Suen. Speaking at the event, Oliver noted the warm reception from the audience: “Many Chinese residents in Dubai may not have seen Hong Kong films in a while. They were surprised by the diversity of themes in our recent works. I’m glad they had the chance to connect with the issues that matter to a new generation of filmmakers.”
Other distinguished guests included Zhan Chong and Meng Xiaoxuan from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai; Liu Yang, Director of the China Cultural Centre in the UAE; and Nassif Mahfoud, Marketing Manager at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
The “Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” in Dubai took place from March 22 to 28, featuring a curated selection of eight Hong Kong films. The lineup included “An Abandoned Team” by Thomas Lee and Daniel Ho, “Blossoms Under Somewhere” by Riley Yip, “Montages of a Modern Motherhood” by Oliver Siu Kuen Chan, “Cesium Fallout” by Anthony Pun, “Last Song for You” by Jill Leung, “Papa” by Philip Yung, “The Last Dance” by Anselm Chan, and a newly restored 4K version of the Hong Kong classic “The Bride with White Hair”.
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