CCIDA and FDC lead industries to participate in Busan International Film Festival and Asian Contents & Film Market in Korea to showcase Hong Kong’s new creative momentum (with photos)

     ​The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led Hong Kong’s film and creative industries to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Korea, promoting the unique appeal and new momentum of Hong Kong’s creative industries to the international market, fostering cultural exchanges and expanding diverse global business opportunities.

Sponsored by CCIDA and co-organised by the BIFF and the Asian Film Awards Academy, the “Hong Kong Night” networking reception was held on October 9 (Busan time) and brought together over 750 representatives from the global creative and film communities. The occasion enabled emerging Hong Kong filmmakers and original content intellectual property (IP) rights holders to forge stronger connections with their international counterparts. Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai remarked that CCIDA is dedicated to boosting film productions and grooming talents for various segments of the film industry through various funding schemes under the Film Development Fund (FDF), in addition, CCIDA will set up a dedicated Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions, offering seamless facilitation for overseas crews filming in Hong Kong.

Local filmmakers and their works supported by the FDF also shone at this year’s festival. The film “Dead End”, a winning project of the Higher Education Institution Group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative, was selected for the “Vision – Asia” competition section and held its world premiere on October 10 (Busan time). The screening drew over 200 attendees. Director Isabella Lam, alongside actors Maggie Shiu, Hedwig Tam and Lokman Yeung, attended the premiere and engaged with audiences during the post-screening interactive session, receiving an enthusiastic response that reflected the international appeal of Hong Kong films.

Throughout the BIFF, CCIDA representatives also met with various cultural and creative institutions and film festival organisers, including Korea Manhwa Contents Agency, Korean Film Council and Busan Asian Film School, to explore future collaboration and development opportunities.

On the business development front, CCIDA, the FDC and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, building a platform for co-operation to facilitate exchanges among creative talents and explore collaboration opportunities. This year, CCIDA, for the first time, sponsored emerging local original content IP rights holders to participate in the ACFM’s “Busan Story Market” to promote IP transactions, financing and cross-sector content development. Sponsored projects included the comic “Disposable Dolly” and animations –– “Tai Lung Fung – Full Throttle Kitchen”, “Cirkillation” and “Blacky The Metal Arm Cat”. In addition, CCIDA also sponsored the participation of four Hong Kong producers, Trevor Choi, Lau Kok-rui, Kelvin Shum and Whitney Yiu, in the ACFM’s “Producer Hub”. Emerging filmmaker So Chak-long, whose project was selected for the ACFM’s “Asian Project Market”, was also sponsored to take part in project pitching activities.

CCIDA will continue to support the development of Hong Kong’s film and creative industries and, as outlined in the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address, conduct a comprehensive review of the FDF with a view to attracting more private investment and ensuring the sustainable development of the industry.

Ends/Saturday, October 10, 2026

Issued at HKT 18:45

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