Hong Kong Cinema @ BUSAN 2026, co-organised by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC), and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully on October 13, 2026. The event, held from October 10 to 13 at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Busan, South Korea, featured the Hong Kong Pavilion, Hong Kong Night, and other activities aimed at promoting Hong Kong's film industry, fostering collaboration, and reinforcing Hong Kong's position as an East-meets-West cultural exchange hub and regional IP trading centre.
Anna Cheung, Associate Executive Director of HKTDC, emphasised the significance of the campaign: "As an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, Hong Kong has long been committed to fostering cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration. Through this campaign, we aim to showcase Hong Kong's cinematic creations in the international market, strengthen exchanges between Hong Kong and the global film industry, and create more opportunities for international co-productions and collaborations."
The Hong Kong Pavilion featured participation from several production and distribution companies, including Blast Films International Limited, Cappu Films Limited, First Step Movie Distribution Studio, Just Distribution Company Limited, October Pictures Limited, and Xiaowu Brothers (Hong Kong) Limited. Other companies such as Edko Films Limited, Emperor Motion Pictures, Golden Network Asia Limited, Golden Scene Company Limited, and One Cool Pictures also engaged with international buyers and investors. The Pavilion highlighted Hong Kong films selected for the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), such as Dead End, distributed by One Cool Group and selected for the Vision-Asia section, and Cold War 1994, produced by Edko Films Ltd. and selected for the Special Screenings & Carte Blanche section. Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Drew Lai noted that CCIDA is dedicated to boosting film productions and nurturing talent through various funding schemes, and will set up a dedicated Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions to facilitate overseas crews filming in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Night, held on October 9 at the Paradise Hotel Busan, served as the curtain-raiser and attracted over 750 industry professionals from Hong Kong and around the world. The event fostered cross-border networking and industry exchange. Delegation members, including director Isabella Lam and cast members Maggie Shiu, Hedwig Tam, and Lokman Yeung, as well as producers Johnny Wang, Lau Kok Rui, Trevor Choi, Kelvin Shum, and Whitney Yiu, and director So Chak Long, participated in the Producer Hub programme. Director So Chak Long was selected for the Asian Project Market (APM) with his work Whisper of the Silence, where he engaged in one-on-one business matching meetings with international investors. Producer Kelvin Shum remarked, "Through the Producer Hub, we have the opportunity to not only present our projects, but also to connect with filmmakers from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and other markets. This enables us to better understand the industry's latest developments, market demand and unique filmmaking processes of different countries. It is a truly rewarding and invaluable experience."
For the first time, CCIDA organised four outstanding original works from Hong Kong outside the film category to participate in the Busan Story Market (BSM). The selected projects included three animated works: Blacky the Metal Arm Cat, Cirkillation, and Tai Lung Fung – Full Throttle Kitchen, as well as the comic title Disposable Dolly. The BSM is a dedicated marketplace for IP transactions involving high-quality original content, facilitating film and television rights trading and connecting overseas producers, investors, and distributors with content creators. A representative of Blacky the Metal Arm Cat said, "As a local Hong Kong IP, we spend most of our time creating in the studio, making it challenging to reach out to industry professionals worldwide. BSM has allowed us to connect with producers, investors and potential partners from different countries, which is crucial to facilitate Hong Kong IPs' expansion into overseas markets and their continuous development."
The HKTDC, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. It organises international exhibitions, conferences, and business missions to create opportunities for companies, particularly SMEs. It also provides market insights through research reports and digital news channels. For more information, visit www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
The success of Hong Kong Cinema @ BUSAN 2026 underscores the importance of international collaboration for Hong Kong's film industry. By connecting filmmakers with global counterparts, the event opens doors for co-productions, talent development, and the adaptation of Hong Kong IPs for international markets. This not only strengthens Hong Kong's cultural economy but also enriches the global film landscape with diverse stories and creative talents. As Hong Kong continues to bridge East and West, such initiatives are vital for sustaining its position as a creative capital and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
