Hong Kong’s film industry is buzzing with anticipation as 17 projects have been selected for the In Growth section of the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), signaling a vibrant period for Asian cinema. The lineup boasts contributions from acclaimed producers including Singapore’s Anthony Chen, Hong Kong’s Stanley Kwan, and Japan’s Eiko Mizuno-Gray.
New Projects Signal a diverse Range of Stories
A diverse selection of films are poised to capture audiences with compelling narratives from across Asia.
- Anthony Chen is producing Somewhere In The South, a Malaysian political drama.
- Stanley Kwan is collaborating with Sasha Chuk on 131, a story set between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
- Eiko Mizuno-Gray, known for Renoir, is working on Life Is Yours with Japan’s Toei Company.
- HAF takes place alongside Hong Kong Filmart, fostering collaboration and investment.
Chen’s involvement centers around Somewhere In The South, directed by Tan Ce Ding, which follows a directionless young man unexpectedly drawn into a political campaign in a small Malaysian town. Kwan, meanwhile, is reteaming with emerging director Sasha Chuk for 131, a drama exploring the lives of two masseuses and a construction worker as they navigate the bustling cities of Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Mizuno-Gray,whose previous work includes the Cannes 2025 competition title Renoir,is partnering with Japan’s Toei company on Life Is Yours,directed by Emma Kawawada (My Small Land).This film promises a gripping revenge story centered on an elderly cleaner steadfast to reclaim stolen land at a ski resort in Niseko.
Hong Kong and Beyond: A Regional Showcase
The selected projects aren’t limited to these international collaborations. Several Hong Kong-based productions are also gaining traction, including Vincci Cheuk’s intergenerational comedy 38.83, a co-production with Japan; Cheung Wai-yu’s comedy drama Mama Mia Let Me Go!; and Guo Yu-tian’s Forgetting She Is She, a narrative delving into themes of conflicted identities and complex love.
The HAF lineup extends beyond East Asia, featuring fishers Of Men, a Malayalam absurdist parable from Sanju surendran (If On A Winter’s Night) about a vegetarian banker’s unusual obsession with fish.funeral Flowers, the feature debut from Liza Diño and Ice Seguerra, offers a poignant look at a politician’s daughter confronting family secrets during her father’s wake. Paris-based Xiao baer’s A Drop In The Sea tells the story of a Chinese entrepreneur traveling to Algeria for her brother’s funeral, while Emetjan Memet’s Xinjiang-set The Flower Seller explores the inner life of a man finding solace in unexpected encounters.
What types of stories are gaining traction in the Asian film industry? The selected projects demonstrate a clear interest in character-driven narratives, exploring themes of identity, family, and
