The 30th Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) and EntertainmentPulse, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The four-day event, part of the broader Entertainment Expo Hong Kong, gathers global industry leaders to showcase new productions and cutting-edge technologies while fostering discussions on international market trends and opportunities. This year marks both the 30th edition of FILMART and the 50th milestone of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), reaffirming their role in driving growth for the city's entertainment industry.
FILMART has attracted a record number of participating countries and regions, with 38 represented this year. Exhibitors from emerging markets such as Belgium, Myanmar, Poland, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan are joining for the first time. Other participating countries and regions include the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. The Mainland contingent has expanded significantly, with new provinces and municipalities participating, including Chongqing, Fujian, Guizhou, Shandong and Sichuan. Various leading mainland film and entertainment companies, including Tencent Video, Bilibili, iQIYI and Youku, are exhibiting at FILMART to expand their presence in overseas markets.
Major Hong Kong film and entertainment companies are also participating, with Sil-Metropole Organisation and Mei Ah Entertainment showcasing latest productions using virtual reality and AI. Other local exhibitors include Media Asia, Edko Films, Golden Scene, Entertaining Power, Muse Communication, RTHK, Television Broadcasts Limited, MakerVille, and i-Cable Communications. A total of 40 events will take place during FILMART, including the "Forum on International Communication Cooperation and Innovation for a New Vision" organized by the International Cooperation Department of National Radio and Television Administration of China, and the "International Short Drama Association 2026 Asian Forum". Multiple cooperation agreements will be signed at FILMART, with the Sichuan Pavilion hosting a project signing ceremony covering areas such as copyright trading and strategic collaboration.
The AI Hub, first introduced at last year's FILMART, returns with an expanded presence, organized by the HKTDC and co-organized by the Hong Kong Association of Motion Picture Post Production Professionals. It brings together leading mainland AI and technology companies, including Alibaba Cloud, Kling AI, MiniMax, Vidu, Nanjing Xuanjia Network Technology Co., Ltd., and Daogu Culture Limited, presenting latest applications in areas such as AI generated content (AIGC), AI-generated short dramas and AI animation. The upgraded AI Hub focuses on fostering commercial collaboration, supporting mainland technology enterprises as they go global. Academic institutions including The University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and Lingnan University are also participating. This year's edition introduces the AI Academy, established with support from the CCIDA and the Film Development Fund, offering 18 thematic workshops on practical applications of AI technologies across the filmmaking process.
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, returns this year. Partnering with 10 international film institutions from Chinese Mainland, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Slovenia, Spain, the United Kingdom and Vietnam, the programme brings together more than 100 producers from Hong Kong and across the globe through business matching sessions. A dedicated forum themed "International Coproductions in an Evolving Film Industry Landscape" will feature speakers including Peter Chan, Janet Yang, and Anthony Chen, exploring how Hong Kong and Asia's film industries can broaden their global development horizon.
EntertainmentPulse examines pressing issues in today's film and entertainment market, including the global expansion of short dramas, opportunities for international co-productions, collaboration between AI and film production, and creation of global animation IP. A dedicated session on film financing and investment features industry leaders including Justin Deimen, Bennett Pozil, and Catherine Ying, sharing insights on financing trends and strategies in the Asian film industry. As micro-short dramas gain global momentum, a dedicated seminar will examine latest trends in international expansion of Chinese mainland's short dramas. Another highlight is a panel discussion featuring production teams behind Hong Kong Film Awards-nominated films, exploring how Hong Kong filmmakers preserve local cultural characteristics while responding to market dynamics.
The 24th Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), the core section of the HKIFF Industry Project Market, runs for three consecutive days within the FILMART venue. This year's selection features 42 film projects from 22 countries and regions, with 13 being animation or genre projects spanning themes such as family-driven narratives, comedy, thriller, fantasy, action and science fiction. All shortlisted projects will be presented alongside FILMART during the HKIFF Industry Project Market, providing opportunities for project teams to exchange ideas with industry professionals. More information about the events can be found at FILMART and EntertainmentPulse.
