The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society has announced the first batch of 17 in-development projects selected for the 24th Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum, scheduled for March 17-19 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The announcement marks the latest chapter for one of Asia's most significant platforms connecting filmmakers with investors and production companies looking to finance films across the region.
The selected projects represent a mix of emerging and established filmmakers working across multiple countries and genres. Among the producers involved in the slate are Stanley Kwan and Anthony Chen, both recognized figures in Asian cinema who bring experience and industry connections to their respective projects.
Background
The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum has operated as a key meeting point for the film industry since its inception. The forum runs annually in March alongside the Hong Kong FILMART, one of Asia's largest film and television markets. Over the years, HAF has helped launch numerous successful films that went on to premiere at major international festivals and reach global audiences.
The in-development project category focuses on films still in the scriptwriting and pre-production stages. Projects selected for this track receive access to investors, distributors, and production company representatives who attend the forum specifically to discover and finance new work. The selection process is competitive, with organizers looking for projects that demonstrate both artistic merit and commercial potential.
"The selection is a testament to the resurgence of diversity and the revitalisation of international collaborations. As the world gradually returns to normality, we eagerly embrace the opportunities ahead."
This year's edition reflects a broader push to expand the forum's reach. The event has been integrated into a newly expanded HKIFF Industry Project Market, which now includes additional initiatives designed to support different types of film projects and filmmakers at various stages of development.
Key Details
Project Selection Criteria
For a project to be selected for the in-development track, filmmakers must meet specific requirements. Projects must be full-length fictional feature films running at least 60 minutes, with a director, producer, and production company already attached. The films cannot be fully financed, meaning they still need funding to move forward.
Selectors also prioritize projects with strong market potential for Asian and international audiences. The work must demonstrate both artistic quality and commercial viability, positioning it as something that could appeal to both festival programmers and general audiences. Priority consideration goes to projects that have not previously participated in other project markets.
The application process requires filmmakers to submit detailed information about their projects, including synopses, budgets, and materials showing previous work by the director or footage from the project itself. The forum accepts video materials through online streaming links, provided those links remain active through the application deadline.
Expanded Format
The 24th edition represents a shift in how the forum operates. Previously, HAF focused primarily on in-development projects. Now it has been restructured as part of a larger industry project market that includes work-in-progress films as well. This expansion aims to serve filmmakers at different stages of production and attract a wider range of industry participants.
The forum also introduced a new initiative called the HKIFF Industry-CAA China Genre Initiative, designed specifically to support the development of Chinese-language genre films. This addition reflects the growing importance of genre filmmaking in the Asian market and the demand for more diverse storytelling approaches.
What This Means
For the filmmakers selected in this first slate of 17 projects, the forum provides a important opportunity to pitch their work to potential financiers. Many projects selected for HAF have gone on to secure funding and eventually premiere at prestigious international film festivals. The exposure and connections made at the forum can determine whether a film moves from the development stage into actual production.
The inclusion of experienced producers like Stanley Kwan and Anthony Chen suggests that established industry figures continue to see value in bringing new projects through this platform. Their involvement brings credibility and resources to their respective projects, potentially making them more attractive to investors.
For the broader Asian film industry, the expanded format signals confidence in the market's recovery and growth. The decision to add new initiatives and expand the project market indicates that organizers believe there is sufficient demand from both filmmakers and investors to support a larger event. This expansion could encourage more filmmakers from across Asia to submit projects, increasing the diversity of work on display.
The timing of the announcement, coming several months before the March event, gives selected filmmakers time to prepare their presentations and reach out to potential investors ahead of the forum. Industry participants typically begin planning their attendance and meeting schedules well in advance, so early announcements help maximize the value of the event for everyone involved.
