Once upon a time there was a Mountain—a Hong Kong short by rising filmmaker TO Chun-him and one of the fully-funded winners of International Film Camp (IFC) 2024—has been selected for the International Kids’ Film Competition – KIDDO 2025 at the 48th Drama International Short Film Festival (DISFF), which runs 8–14 September 2025 in Drama, Greece. The film has also been invited to the shorts strand of the 48th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF), taking place 31 July–10 August 2025 in New York City and online.

Founded in 1978, DISFF is one of Europe’s oldest Oscar-qualifying showcases; its Kiddo section spotlights stories told from a child’s point of view, with winners gaining direct eligibility for Academy Awards consideration. AAIFF, established the same year, is the United States’ longest-running festival devoted to Asian and Asian-American cinema.The short had its world premiere in April at Italy’s Udine Far East Film Festival, where enthusiastic audience response signalled the global potential of new Hong Kong storytelling.

Set on the last day of summer break, the film follows a group of primary school students roaming the city in search of a football pitch. Through their childlike eyes, it reflects the quiet resilience of Hongkongers after years of turmoil, and subtly mirrors how adults navigate narrow spaces—both literal and emotional—in the urban landscape. Director TO says: “This is the film’s first time in an international competition, and it’s a huge honour—especially at an Oscar-qualifying festival like DISFF. From day one, I wanted to carry Hong Kong stories farther afield. I’m grateful to every collaborator, and to the Asian Film Awards Academy and IFC for the platform and support that let me keep rolling!”