The HKIFF Industry Project Market 2025 has completed its lineup with eight additional titles, bringing the total number of highlighted projects to 48. This event will take place from March 17 to 19 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, alongside the 29th edition of the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART).
A New Platform for Animation at HKIFF
For the first time, the event will feature an animation showcase, including six animated feature films at various stages of development. Among them, works by renowned directors such as Liu Jian (Art College 1994) and Toe Yuen (My Life as McDull) stand out.
According to Jacob Wong, director of HKIFF Industry, this initiative aims to boost emerging talent in Asian animation, inspired by the success of films like Art College 1994 and City of Lost Things, winner of the Golden Horse Award.
Three Animated Features in Progress
Three of the selected projects will participate in the open HAF pitch session on March 17:
- A Mighty Adventure (Dir. Toe Yuen) – Story about a grasshopper, a spider, and a butterfly that challenge their fate. Filmed in Taiwan with animation done in Malaysia.
- MIN (Dir. Li Jiajia) – Tale about a 40-year-old woman trapped in a monotonous marriage who must make a crucial decision about her future.
- Wildheart (Dir. Marceau Nakayama) – A drama about two orphans who survive together while searching for their families in 1960s Tokyo.
Three Animated Projects in Development Phase
Three other projects in the development phase stand out for their innovative proposals:
- Cloud of the Unknown (Dir. Gao Yuan) – Two dreamers share secrets about their strange worlds, questioning their existence.
- The Tale of the Holy Beast (Dir. Triparna Maiti) – Story about a captive elephant that grows up as a circus star, bound by chains.
- Light Pillar (Dir. Xu Zao) – Romantic comedy about a janitor who maintains a virtual relationship without knowing that his partner is a 10-year-old boy in real life.
Indonesian Cinema on the International Stage
The event will also feature a special section in collaboration with the Jakarta Film Week, presenting two projects in development by emerging Indonesian directors:
- First Breath After Coma (Dir. Jason Iskandar) – Drama about three Chinese-Indonesian siblings facing family dilemmas while their father is in a coma during Indonesia's 1990s political transition.
- Fly! (Dir. Pelixiano) – Animated adventure about a boy who travels to the afterlife to reunite with his deceased father, accompanied by a spiritual creature.
HKIFF's Commitment to Diversity and Innovation
With a strong focus on animation and emerging Indonesian cinema, the HKIFF Industry Project Market 2025 expands its reach and impact within the film industry. Its collaboration with Jakarta Film Week and its new space for Asian animation reinforce its commitment to diversity and innovation in audiovisual production.
“Cinema is a reflection of the culture and creativity of each region. Giving visibility to new talents is key to the future of the industry.”