HKU MFA Showcase and "Black Box Magazine" Anniversary Issue Launch: Creative Writing Across Forms and Formats

HKU’s MFA in Creative Writing in English has recently held its 2026 Showcase at the HKU Black Box. It took place alongside the launch of the anniversary issue of Black Box Magazine, a student arts, culture, and literary publication curated by the current MFA cohort and the wider postgraduate community of the School of English. The combined event, led by Dr. Antony Huen, the Director of the MFA programme and Founder and Editor of Black Box Magazine, drew a full-house audience of faculty members, students, and invited guests, including novelist Matthew Wong Foreman and photographer Joyce Yung.

Photo by the HKU School of English

The Showcase presented original works by the MFA cohort, spanning spoken word, short drama, and cross-media performances drawing on music, dance, digital art, and Gen AI. Audiences were transported into surreal, futuristic, Gothic, and digital worlds, where new meanings around contemporary human concerns emerged. Adapted from the students’ creative dissertations, these live presentations showcased a wide range of worldviews, personas, and themes, sparking unexpected insights and new ideas.

A dance presentation by an MFA student. Photo by the HKU School of English

A dramatic dialogue between two MFA students. Photo by the HKU School of English

A notable feature of this year’s Showcase was the integration of art and technology. Many works explored human–AI interactions and the ethical questions emerging in the era of smart technology. Some performances used AI as a collaborator, while others incorporated programming and digital tools to enhance theatrical effects. These technological elements highlighted the cohort’s willingness to experiment and engage with emerging tools and practices.

A musical duet by two MFA students. Photo by the HKU School of English

A dramatic monologue by an MFA student. Photo by the HKU School of English

Within the Showcase, the anniversary issue of Black Box Magazine was also launched. In a brief conversation with the Editor, Dr. Antony Huen, the student editing leads of the issue and guest contributors Matthew Wong Foreman and Joyce Yung discussed the issue’s theme, “Margins”, and its creative and critical implications. The dialogue highlighted the MFA’s commitment to crossing boundaries in contemporary writing.

A dialogue on Issue 2 of "Black Box Magazine." Photo by the HKU School of English

Guest contributors Matthew Wong Foreman (left) and Joyce Yung (center) in dialogue with Dr. Antony Huen (right). Photo by the HKU School of English

Together, the MFA Showcase 2026 and the launch of Black Box Magazine’s second issue marked a celebratory moment in the growing range of achievements of the MFA community at HKU and beyond.

MFA student hosts (first and second from the left) with Professor Tong King Lee (Head of School) (third from the left), Dr. Antony Huen (third from the right), Matthew Wong Foreman (second from the right), and Joyce Yung (first from the right). Photo by the HKU School of English

This year’s Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) produced a record 24 top scorers. The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announced their admission results on August 5, with each university admitting 12 of the top-scoring students, most of whom chose to study medicine.

CUHK, Photo source: the official website of CUHK

CUHK stated that it admitted four “super top scorers” (who achieved 5** in seven subjects) and eight “top scorers” (who achieved 5** in six subjects). All 12 of these students were admitted to CUHK's Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Lau Sin-nga, Director of the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at CUHK, pointed out that the school will continue to dedicate itself to providing high-quality teaching, comprehensive student support, and promoting innovative research to help students realize their potential and equip them to become future leaders with leadership skills and a sense of responsibility.

HKU, Photo source: the official website of HKU

HKU announced that it has admitted 12 top-scoring students. Among them, five “super top scorers” and four “top scorers” were admitted to the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine. The remaining top scorers were admitted to programs such as the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Government and Laws) and Bachelor of Laws, as well as the Bachelor of Business Administration (Law) and Bachelor of Laws. Professor Bennett Yim, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and International Student Exchange at HKU, stated that the school will continue to employ a comprehensive assessment approach, adhering to the principle of “selecting the best,” to discover and admit outstanding students with exceptional potential.