I’m thrilled to be part of the buzz surrounding the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFF). Their Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) has revealed a lineup of 25 promising projects for its 23rd installment, including some groundbreaking work from the esteemed filmmaker Kore-eda Hirokazu. As a supporter, I’m excited to see how he and other industry titans are nurturing new talent in the world of cinema.
As a captivated viewer, one of the standout movies for me is “Yellow,” skillfully directed by the promising newcomer Yamaura Miyoh and masterfully produced by Kore-eda. This film delves into the life of a man who’s been self-punishing after a tragic car accident. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he forms a profound connection with his deceased friend’s young son, offering him a path towards redemption.
This exhibition highlights several well-known directors supporting emerging talent. Sylvie Pialat and Nai An are backing Hu Wei’s movie “49 Days,” which revolves around a divorced Chinese couple coming together in Paris to organize their son’s funeral. Aditya Vikram Sengupta is involved in the production of Niladri Mukherjee’s debut film, “Republic of Mahalaxmi Apartment.” This film delves into India’s majority rule matters by narrating a tale about a single mother who becomes the enemy of her housing estate’s residents after reporting an elevator that is not functioning properly.
This collection boasts numerous science fiction stories. “2181 Overture,” penned by Wang Kunlin based on Gu Shi’s Hugo Award-nominated novella, narrates the journey of a scientist who wakes up from cryogenic sleep in search of her missing daughter using a book she left behind as a guide. In “Somatization” by Sun Xiao, townspeople who live among petrochemical factories become monstrous after a strange explosion occurs.
The lineup includes some impactful pieces: “Something in the Way” by Fan Ka Chun portrays a detective with face blindness dealing with suppressed memories of his lost mother. Meanwhile, Edmund Yeo’s “The Age of Goodbyes” delves into intricate relationships, focusing on a woman, her stepdaughter, and the latter’s new partner in 1970s Malaysia. Lastly, Bill Chia’s “Indigo Boy,” produced by Yeh Ju-Feng, addresses mental health through the tale of two friends battling depression, where one finds life when the other is absent.
As a movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that Jun Robles Lana is back with “The Circumciser,” a tale set in 1920s U.S.-governed Philippines. This story revolves around a 16-year-old boy who dreams of studying English instead of taking over as the sole circumciser in his village, a role that his father currently holds.
On the other hand, Zheng Lu Xinyuan’s “A Stranger at My Door” is another intriguing production, this time produced by Stanley Kwan. This film follows an aspiring film director seeking comfort in a French composer as she works on a project about her mother’s harrowing experiences with sexual abuse.
Some other significant works are “Waves Under the Sea” by Chan Sileong, a poignant LGBTQ+ drama that follows the story of two boys who grow up by the sea and their life decisions that ultimately separate them, and “Lanka” by Saurav Rai, a psychological revenge drama in which a mishap during karate practice ignites a vicious cycle of retribution between two families.
Over a span of three days, from March 17th to the 19th, at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre in conjunction with FilMart, this significant event is solidifying its status as one of Asia’s top film project markets. As per Jacob Wong, the industry director of HKIFF, HAF23 received a total of 276 submissions hailing from 45 different countries and regions, ranging from Hong Kong to Thailand, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and South Korea.
I’m thrilled to be part of such a diverse group. Our collective talent shines brightly in various cinematic realms, encompassing action, science fiction, fantasy, suspense, and horror narratives. This year alone, we have nine female-directed projects, along with collaborations between filmmakers hailing from Asia, Europe, and North America. These collaborations highlight Hong Kong’s unique role as a global film industry intersection.
Wong has shared that the Industry Project Market for this year’s Hong Kong International Film Festival will showcase various animation projects at various development stages in a separate section. The selected projects will be unveiled in mid-February. At least 13 projects for HAF 2025 have already received partial funding, with budgets ranging from $200,000 to $5 million.
HAF 2025 In-Development Projects
1. “Overture 2181” (China, Canada) – Director: Wang Kunlin; Producer: Zhao Zheyuan; Production Company: Yeahcheer Pictures Co.
2. “49 Days” (France, China) – Director: Hu Wei; Producers: Sylvie Pialat, Nai An; Production Company: Les films du Worso
3. “Aanaikatti Blues” (India) – Director: Arun Karthick; Producer: Madhu Mohan; Production Company: Manvasanai Cinema
4. “The Age of Goodbyes” (Taiwan, Malaysia) – Director: Edmund Yeo; Producers: David Tang, Edmund Yeo, Dennis Lai, Zhao Jin; Production Companies: Renaissance Films Limited, Happy Together Pictures
5. “Besik. Homecoming” (Tajikistan, Kazakhstan) – Director: Iskandar Usmonov; Producers: Diana Ashimova, Yerlan Ibragim, Iskandar Usmonov; Production Company: A Team
6. “The Bird Chaser” (China) – Director: Zeng Zhi; Producers: Li Tianyu, Joey Zhu Yinying; Production Company: Beijing Pinwu Cultural Communication Co., Ltd.
7. “The Circumciser” (Philippines) – Director: Jun Robles Lana; Producers: Perci Intalan, Ferdy Lapuz; Production Company: The IdeaFirst Company
8. “Dead Tide” (Malaysia) – Director: Kethsvin Chee; Producers: Lee Sinje, Jin Ong; Production Company: Fast Forward Films Sdn Bhd
9. “Drive South Pray West” (Thailand) – Directors: Panu Aree, Kong Rithdee; Producer: Panu Aree; Production Company: Drive South Pray West Pictures
10. “Giant Salamander” (China) – Director: Yang Heng; Producer: Yang Heng; Production Company: Xiangxi Meixi Space Culture Media Co.
11. “Gone with the Wind” (China) – Director: Zhao Yanming; Producer: Aubrey Zheng Liyan; Production Company: Beijing Daxiwang Culture Media Co., Ltd.
12. “Indigo Boy” (Taiwan) – Director: Bill Chia; Producers: Yeh Ju-Feng, Ivy Y.H. Chiang; Production Company: Fragrant Creative Integration Co., Ltd.
13. “Innocent Flesh” (China) – Director: Lin Yihan; Producers: Li Yuwen, Hattie Yu; Production Company: Vast Vista Films
14. “Lanka” (India) – Director: Saurav Rai; Producers: Saurav Rai, Ankita Purkayastha; Production Company: Neonate Audio LLP
15. “Mabui” (Japan) – Director: Fukunaga Takeshi; Producers: Yamaguchi Shin, Eric Nyari; Production Companies: Knockonwood Inc., Cineric Creative
16. “Open Fire” (Hong Kong) – Directors: Sze Pak-lam, Lau Wing-tai; Producer: Ivan Wong; Production Company: Scene One Picture Limited
17. “Pivot” (Turkey) – Director: Melisa Önel; Producer: Alara Hamamcioğlu Bayraktar; Production Company: Vigo Film
18. “Republic of Mahalaxmi Apartment” (India) – Director: Niladri Mukherjee; Producers: Aditya Vikram Sengupta, Priyankar Patra; Production Company: For Films
19. “See You There” (China, Hong Kong) – Director: N/A; Producer: N/A; Production Company: N/A
20. “Waves Under the Sea” (Macau, Hong Kong, China) – Director: Chan Sileong; Producers: Chan Hing-kai, Robin Yung; Production Company: N/A
21. “Yellow” (Japan) – Director: Yamaura Miyoh; Producers: Kore-eda Hirokazu, Ohinata Jun; Production Company: Bunbuku
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2025-01-20 14:46