Hong Kong Cinema @ BUSAN 2026, a promotional campaign co-organised by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded on 13 October after four days of activities at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Busan, South Korea. The event featured a Hong Kong Pavilion, Hong Kong Night, and other initiatives aimed at bridging Hong Kong filmmakers with overseas industry players and buyers, fostering collaboration, and reinforcing Hong Kong's role as an international hub for East-meets-West cultural exchange and a regional IP trading centre.
Anna Cheung, Associate Executive Director of HKTDC, said: "As an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, Hong Kong has long been committed to fostering cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration. The HKTDC is delighted to once again join hands with the CCIDA and FDC to present Hong Kong Cinema @ BUSAN 2026. Through this campaign, we aim to showcase and promote Hong Kong's cinematic creations in the international market, strengthen exchanges between Hong Kong and the global film industry, and create more opportunities for international co-productions and collaborations."
Several Hong Kong film production and distribution companies exhibited at the Hong Kong Pavilion, including Blast Films International Limited, Cappu Films Limited, First Step Movie Distribution Studio, Just Distribution Company Limited, October Pictures Limited, and Xiaowu Brothers (Hong Kong) Limited. Other companies such as Edko Films Limited, Emperor Motion Pictures, Golden Network Asia Limited, Golden Scene Company Limited, and One Cool Pictures also engaged with international buyers and investors. The Pavilion showcased Hong Kong films selected for the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), including Dead End, distributed by One Cool Group and selected for the Vision-Asia section, where it premiered. Dead End also won the Higher Education Institution Group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative, funded by the Film Development Fund. Another featured film was Cold War 1994, produced by Edko Films Ltd., selected for the Special Screenings & Carte Blanche section.
Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Drew Lai remarked that CCIDA is dedicated to boosting film productions and nurturing talent through various funding schemes under the Film Development Fund (FDF). Additionally, CCIDA will set up a dedicated Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions to facilitate overseas crews filming in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Night, held on 9 October at the Paradise Hotel Busan, served as the curtain-raiser and attracted over 750 industry professionals from Hong Kong and around the world. The Hong Kong delegation included Dead End director Isabella Lam and cast members Maggie Shiu, Hedwig Tam, and Lokman Yeung, as well as producers Johnny Wang, Lau Kok Rui, Trevor Choi, Kelvin Shum, and Whitney Yiu, and director So Chak Long. Delegation members participated in the Producer Hub programme, where they met producers and production companies globally. Director So Chak Long was selected for the Asian Project Market (APM) with his work Whisper of the Silence, engaging in one-on-one business matching meetings with international investors.
Producer Kelvin Shum said: "Through the Producer Hub, we have the opportunity to not only present our projects, but also to connect with filmmakers from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and other markets. This enables us to better understand the industry's latest developments, market demand and unique filmmaking processes of different countries. It is a truly rewarding and invaluable experience."
For the first time, CCIDA selected and organised four outstanding original works from Hong Kong outside the film category to participate in the Busan Story Market (BSM). The selected projects comprised three animated works: Blacky the Metal Arm Cat, Cirkillation, and Tai Lung Fung – Full Throttle Kitchen, as well as the comic title Disposable Dolly. The BSM is a dedicated marketplace for IP transactions involving high-quality original content, facilitating film and television rights trading and connecting overseas producers, investors, and distributors with content creators.
Representative of Blacky the Metal Arm Cat said: "As a local Hong Kong IP, we spend most of our time creating in the studio, making it challenging to reach out to industry professionals worldwide. BSM has allowed us to connect with producers, investors and potential partners from different countries, which is crucial to facilitate Hong Kong IPs' expansion into overseas markets and their continuous development."
The campaign underscores Hong Kong's ongoing efforts to promote its creative industries globally. The HKTDC, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, continues to support such initiatives through its international exhibitions, conferences, and business missions. It also provides market insights via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, visit www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
