The 30th Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) and EntertainmentPulse, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully, attracting about 8,000 industry professionals from 53 countries and regions. The four-day events featured over 790 exhibitors from a record 38 countries and regions, bringing together enterprises from emerging ASEAN markets like Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, and mature film markets including Canada, France, Italy, Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This diverse participation underscores Hong Kong's strength as an international hub for cultural and artistic exchange and its critical role in facilitating cross-regional business cooperation.
FILMART continues to serve as one of the region's most influential film and television trading platforms, facilitating connections between exhibitors, buyers, and producers. Timothy Oh, General Manager of COL International Group from Singapore, a first-time participant, noted that FILMART plays a key role in helping companies expand their international networks, stating he met partners from Turkey, the UK, the US, and Brazil. Similarly, Sachitha Kalingamudali of Mogo Studios from Sri Lanka said the event exceeded expectations, meeting distributors from many countries and kickstarting future partnerships. Myanmar's aTwentyThree even chose FILMART as its first step to explore the international market, with founder Arker Soe Oo connecting with US and European distributors and planning to bring more productions next year.
Overseas buyers affirmed the exhibition's business matching effectiveness. Bizhan Tong, a buyer from the UK, commented that FILMART remains one of the most effective global platforms for driving cross-border collaboration, leading to new strategic partnerships and tangible co-investment opportunities. A highlight this year was the AI Hub, where leading AI and technology companies showcased latest technologies, helping Mainland start-ups and established enterprises accelerate overseas expansion. Zhihan Zhang, Founder and CEO of Daogu Culture Limited, remarked that FILMART gathers global professionals, enabling understanding of diverse overseas market needs. The newly established "AI Academy," supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, offered 19 thematic workshops to equip professionals with AI skills and trend insights.
Producers Connect, jointly organized by the HKSAR's Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the Hong Kong Film Development Council, and the HKTDC, united over 100 producers from Hong Kong and worldwide. Through networking sessions and panel discussions, it provided a cross-regional platform for creative collaboration. Janet Yang, a Golden Globe-winning producer, observed in a panel that "the world is getting flatter, language is mattering less and less to audiences everywhere." Producer and director Peter Chan mentioned the importance of diversifying investors and partners across regions. Additionally, 48 featured forums and events, including EntertainmentPulse and the Digital Entertainment Summit, examined emerging trends like AI, streaming strategies, and short dramas. Justin Deimen, Managing Partner of Goldfinch International, highlighted the need for better creative IP valuation during a financing panel.
The FILMART Online IP Catalogue, featuring over 2,200 creative IP projects, extends the physical fair into a two-month networking platform, open until 27 April, allowing industry participants to transcend geographical boundaries. This initiative consolidates Hong Kong's position as Asia's film and entertainment trading hub. For more information, visit FILMART and EntertainmentPulse.
