The Asian Film Awards Academy will present selected films from March 22 to 28, featuring a mix of romantic fantasy, classic cinema and action films.
The fourth edition of the Hong Kong Film Festival is set to take place from March 22 to 28, 2025, at Cinema Akil in Alserkal Avenue. Featuring a diverse lineup of films, the festival will present eight titles, including seven recent films that have graced international festivals such as IFFR, the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Tokyo International Film Festival, along with one beloved classic.
This year’s festival opens with An Abandoned Team, a moving tale of redemption and companionship, directed by Thomas Lee. The film follows Uncle Kai, a lonely retiree whose life is transformed by a stray dog, setting the stage for a festival rich in emotional depth and human connection. Audiences can look forward to a compelling selection, from Ching’s bittersweet search for love in Blossoms Under Somewhere to Suk Jing’s introspective journey in Montages of a Modern Motherhood.
The festival lineup explores themes of loss, resilience and identity. Papa delivers a poignant depiction of grief and guilt, while Last Song for You examines love beyond time and mortality. The environmental thriller Cesium Fallout intensifies the urgency of a radiation crisis, mirroring global anxieties about ecological disaster. Adding a touch of dark humour, The Last Dance offers a satirical take on life’s final moments. To complete the lineup, the festival presents the legendary The Bride with White Hair, a wuxia classic brimming with passion and betrayal.
Highlighting Hong Kong’s dynamic cinematic landscape, the festival not only bridges tradition and innovation but also brings audiences closer to the personal and societal narratives shaping contemporary filmmaking. Special guests from Hong Kong will be in attendance, including An Abandoned Team director Thomas Lee, actress Sheena Chan from Blossoms Under Somewhere and Oliver Siu Kuen Chan, director of Montages of a Modern Motherhood. Film critic Patrick Suen will also be present to provide valuable insights into the featured films.
Presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) in collaboration with Cinema Akil, the festival is financially supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDAHK), the Film Development Fund (FDF) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai.
