The ASEAN Film Festival 2025 kicked off in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region last week, pledging to celebrate cultural diversity and strengthen regional connectivity through a curated selection of films and exclusive sharing sessions.
Organized by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation — a registered not-for-profit organization for fostering communication between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — the festival, themed “A Belt and Road Celebration”, runs from Aug 7 through 31.
The festival features 24 films from all ten ASEAN member states, along with four countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative — Egypt, Hungary, Kazakhstan and Türkiye — marking their debut participation with the support from the Belt and Road Office of the HKSAR’s Commerce and Economic Development Bureau.
During the festival, ten special sharing sessions hosted by filmmakers and directors will be open to public, expecting film enthusiasts and young people from both locals and those from ASEAN countries to attend. The event aims to foster cross-cultural dialogue, promote people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen mutual understanding among diverse communities.
The opening ceremony, held at the Hong Kong Palace Museum last week, was attended by distinguished guests, including Liu Guangyuan, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Pan Yundong, deputy commissioner of the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR; consuls-general or acting consuls-general from 14 countries; film industry professionals; and representatives of co-presenters, venue partners, and supporting organizations.
Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, secretary for culture, sports and tourism of the HKSAR, stated in her speech that the festival served as a unique platform for dialogues and collaborations. She added that such cultural exchange activities aligned perfectly with the HKSAR government’s strategic vision to establish Hong Kong as a leading East-meets-West center for international cultural exchange, solidifying its role as the superconnector between China and the global community.
Ong Siew Gay, dean of the ASEAN Consuls-General, said: “We need more exchanges of ideas and more international and regional collaboration to foster understanding and trust. The festival is instrumental in fostering a better appreciation of ASEAN societies and culture within Hong Kong, and this will position Hong Kong well in facilitating the development of China’s relationship with ASEAN.”
Film as a cultural bridge
Now in its third edition, this year’s film selection spans a variety of genres and storytelling styles, ranging from comedies and dramas to mysteries and intense action, showcasing the soft power of filmmakers from diverse regions and their contribution to the international creative cultural industry.
The festival serves to encourage local audiences to appreciate the rich diversity of cinematic works from ASEAN and Belt and Road participating countries, while exploring their cultural heritage.
Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, commissioner for Belt and Road of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the HKSAR government, said: “This festival embodies the spirit of communication and connection, reminding us that culture and creativity are living among us. At the core of the Belt and Road Initiative lies a commitment to people-to-people bonds. The ASEAN Film Festival exemplifies this beautifully, showcasing films that resonate deeply with audiences and serve as bridges across cultures and, ultimately touch our souls.”
Daryl Ng Win-kong, chairman of the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, expressed gratitude for the invaluable support from the consuls-general from 14 countries and over 40 partners for the third edition of the festival. He emphasized that through the universal language of film, the festival aims to transcend borders, spark dialogue, and deepen mutual understanding. These stories celebrate shared values and strengthen connections among diverse communities.
Positive energy on big screen
The opening ceremony featured a special screening of the Malaysian film Gold, along with a pre-screening sharing session with Cheah Liek Hou, the Malaysian Paralympic badminton gold medalist whose story inspired the film, and Guinevere Loh, the film’s line producer. This session underscored the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, with Cheah’s personal journey encouraging attendees to embrace challenges and pursue their dreams.
Jimmy Wan Chi-man, director of the sports inspirational movie Zero to Hero, was invited for a dialogue about his creative process behind the film, which is based on Hong Kong Paralympian So Wa-wai. So overcame personal and physical challenges with his mother’s unwavering support to become a runner with 12 Paralympic medals.
Contact the writer at: dannyxu@chinadailyhk.com
