Hong Kong Film Industry Shines at Busan International Film Festival with New Partnerships and Premieres

2025-09-23 10:30 Last Updated At：10:38

Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and Hong Kong Film Development Council lead industry delegation to participate in Busan International Film Festival in Korea

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led an industry delegation to participate in the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in Korea from September 19 to 23. A series of "Hong Kong Cinema @ Busan 2025" exchange activities was organised and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the Busan Asian Film School with a view to promoting Hong Kong films, fostering cultural exchanges and expanding overseas markets.

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Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and Hong Kong Film Development Council lead industry delegation to participate in Busan International Film Festival in Korea Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and Hong Kong Film Development Council lead industry delegation to participate in Busan International Film Festival in Korea Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Sponsored by CCIDA and co-organised by the BIFF and the Asian Film Awards Academy, the "Hong Kong Night" networking reception was held on September 19 and attracted over 600 film industry representatives and filmmakers from around the world. Head (Film Promotion and Facilitation) of CCIDA, Ms Irene Yuen, said during the event that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was committed to supporting the development of the Hong Kong's film industry, and had further deepened international exchanges and co-operation in recent years, supporting the film industry to participate in renowned film festivals worldwide, promoting exchanges and expanding business opportunities. She also extended her congratulations to filmmaker Sylvia Chang on receiving the Camellia Award, a special prize that celebrates her contributions to advancing women's roles in the Asian film industry.

Besides, the film "Measure in Love", funded by the Film Development Fund (FDF), held its world premiere at the BIFF on September 21 and attracted over 5 000 attendees with an overwhelming response. The film is the first production under the Directors' Succession Scheme of the FDF, which aims to encourage directors to groom young talents in the spirit of mentorship. Sylvia Chang, the producer of the film, expressed her special thanks to the Scheme for its support, as it enables experienced filmmakers to partner with new generation directors in producing films and to learn from each other. Other guests present at the premiere included emerging director Kung Siu-ping and lead actors Hsu Kuang-han and Angela Yuen.

CCIDA also took the opportunity to sign an MOU with the Busan Asian Film School which aimed at strengthening co-operation in activities and exchanges related to the cultivation of film talents. At the Asian Contents & Film Market, CCIDA collaborated with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to support the establishment of the Hong Kong Pavilion, increasing overseas exposure for Hong Kong films and promoting more business collaborations. CCIDA also recommended and sponsored four Hong Kong producers – Johnny Wang, Terence Choi, Fanny Chong and Kinnie Cheung – to participate in the "Producer Hub", where they engaged in in-depth discussions and business liaison with international industry professionals to explore co-production and project development opportunities.

During the festival, CCIDA also held meetings with film organisations and representatives from film festivals around the world, including the Saudi Arabia Red Sea International Film Festival, the Indonesia Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival, the Italy Udine Far East Film Festival and the International Film Festival Rotterdam of the Netherlands, etc, with an aim to forging international connections and opening up pathways for future co-operation.

As mentioned in "The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address", CCIDA will enhance publicity, exchanges, and business matching overseas and in the Mainland, and continue its close communication with the industry with a view to facilitating the development of the Hong Kong film market.

Hong Kong Customs Seizes 29kg of Drugs, Arrests Two Passengers at Airport

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (May 26) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 11 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 18kg of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about $8.85 million. Two men were arrested.

The first case involved a 62-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 11kg of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market of about $2 million, inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The second case involved a 58-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Paris, France, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market of about $6.85 million, inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 27). For the second case, an investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Film Industry Shines at Busan International Film Festival with New Partnerships and Premieres

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