Hong Kong Cinema Shines at Chicago's Asian Pop-Up Cinema Film Festival

New York ETO showcases Hong Kong cinema at Asian Pop-Up Cinema festival in Chicago

Seven Hong Kong films are being showcased at the Asian Pop-Up Cinema film festival in Chicago with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO), highlighting the creativity and global appeal of Hong Kong cinema. Now in its 20th edition, the festival runs from March 20 to April 12 (Chicago time).

On the festival's opening night on March 20, the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, presented the festival's Extraordinary Actors Award to acclaimed Hong Kong actress, singer, and songwriter Gigi Leung, before attending the US premiere of "Pass and Goal" starring Leung and directed by Jil Wong. One of Hong Kong's most beloved stars, Leung first captivated audiences with her wholesome, girl-next-door charm, before going on to demonstrate remarkable versatility across a wide range of roles. Ms Ho praised Leung for pushing boundaries and her commitment to taking on distinctive roles throughout her career.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Ms Ho said, "Hong Kong is Asia's creative capital, and our filmmakers bring unique perspectives and exceptional storytelling to the global screen. The New York ETO has sponsored the 'Spotlight on Hong Kong Cinema' showcase at the Asian Pop-Up Cinema festival since 2016. We are committed to helping Hong Kong's creative talent go global and share the city's great stories with audiences around the world."

Aside from "Pass and Goal", the "Spotlight on Hong Kong Cinema" showcase also includes four feature films: "Good Game", "Night King", "Someone Like Me", and "Blades of the Guardians", as well as the animated feature "Another World" and the animated short film "Blacky the Metal Arm Cat".

Several of these productions have received government support. "Pass and Goal", "Good Game", "Someone Like Me", and "Another World" received support from the Film Development Fund, while the production company behind "Blacky the Metal Arm Cat" was selected for the "Future Animation - AI-Assisted Animation Production Support Scheme" of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.

Adding to the festival's Hong Kong presence, three Hong Kong filmmakers will also attend to present their works and take part in audience discussions. They include film directors Dickson Leung ("Good Game"), Nic Ho ("Blacky the Metal Arm Cat") and producer Ivana Lai ("Blacky the Metal Arm Cat").

On March 19, the New York ETO cohosted a spring reception with the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The annual event brought together more than 120 guests from Chicago’s business, legal, academic and cultural sectors to celebrate the Year of the Horse and the enduring ties between Hong Kong and Chicago.

In her welcome remarks, Ms Ho highlighted the "AI+" and "Finance+" policy frameworks set out in the 2026-27 Budget. These initiatives aim to further integrate AI across industries, strengthen support for technology enterprises, expand green finance, and advance Renminbi internationalisation, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong's standing as a leading global financial centre. She added that these efforts will further strengthen Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder", connecting capital, talent and ideas across borders.

During her duty visit to Chicago, Ms Ho called on the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago, Mr Wang Baodong. Ms Ho also met with members of the Illinois District Export Council, led by its Chair, Mr Sam Odeh. During the meeting, Ms Ho provided an update on the latest developments in Hong Kong and discussed areas of mutual interest.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) supported the 20th edition of the Asian Pop-up Cinema (APUC) film festival in Chicago by showcasing seven exceptional Hong Kong movies. Photo shows the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (right), Hong Kong film director Jil Wong (centre), and Hong Kong actress Gigi Leung (left) at the opening night of APUC and the US premiere of "Pass and Goal" on March 20 (Chicago time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) supported the 20th edition of the Asian Pop-up Cinema (APUC) film festival in Chicago by showcasing seven exceptional Hong Kong movies. The festival honoured Gigi Leung with the Extraordinary Actors Award. Photo shows the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (first right), with the Executive Director of the APUC, Sophia Wong Boccio (second right); Gigi Leung (second left); and Hong Kong film director Jil Wong (first left) at the award ceremony on March 20 (Chicago time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) supported the 20th edition of the Asian Pop-up Cinema (APUC) film festival in Chicago by showcasing seven exceptional Hong Kong movies. Photo shows lead actress Gigi Leung (second right) and director Jil Wong (second left) during the post-screening Q&A of "Pass and Goal" on March 20 (Chicago time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) supported the 20th edition of the Asian Pop-up Cinema (APUC) film festival in Chicago by showcasing seven exceptional Hong Kong movies. Photo shows the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (first row, fifth left); APUC's Extraordinary Actors Award honouree Gigi Leung (first row, fifth right); Hong Kong film director Jil Wong (first row, fourth right); and other officiating guests with the audience during the US premiere of "Pass and Goal" on March 20 (Chicago time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) co-hosted a spring reception with the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest in Chicago on March 19 (Chicago time). Photo shows the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (third right), with the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Invest Promotion of Invest Hong Kong in New York, Ms Yi Xie (first left); Gigi Leung (second left); the President of the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest, Mr Mark Staublin (third left); Hong Kong film director Jil Wong (second right); and the Business Development Manager of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Christine Barragan (first right) promoting business and trade opportunities in Hong Kong. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) co-hosted a spring reception with the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest in Chicago on March 19 (Chicago time). Photo shows the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, delivering her welcome remarks at the spring reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) co-hosted a spring reception with the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest in Chicago on March 19 (Chicago time). Photo shows the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (front row, centre) with reception guests. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) co-hosted a spring reception with the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest in Chicago on March 19 (Chicago time). Photo shows the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (third left) with board members of the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

During her duty visit in Chicago on March 20 (Chicago time), the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, Ms Maisie Ho (third left), met with the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago, Mr Wang Baodong (third right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

During her duty visit in Chicago on March 19 (Chicago time), the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (the New York ETO), Ms Maisie Ho met with the board of Illinois District Export Council (ILDEC). Photo shows Ms Ho (second left); the President of the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest, Mr Mark Staublin (third left); the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Invest Promotion of Invest Hong Kong in New York, Ms Yi Xie (third right); the Deputy Director of New York ETO, Ms Angela Jong (first right); the Chair of ILDEC, Mr Sam Odeh (second right); and other ILDEC board members. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $1.3 million at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 20) detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 7 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million.

A female passenger, aged 39, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds in her carry-on baggage. The woman was subsequently arrested.

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 to 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 Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $1.3 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases