The Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) is set to showcase an impressive lineup of in-development projects from leading Asian film directors. With renowned names such as Josh Kim, Fukada Koji, and Patiparn Boontarig, this edition of HAF promises to be a captivating event.
Directors and Producers in the Spotlight
HAF will feature the participation of established directors Wang Xiaoshuai and Zhang Lu, who will be operating as producers. Yamamoto Teruhisa, known for his work on “Drive My Car,” and Michael J. Werner are among the other esteemed producers joining the forum.
A Platform for Film Projects
Running from March 11-13, the 22nd edition of HAF will take place alongside the four-day FilMart at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organized by The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, HAF will present a total of 26 promising in-development projects. This year, it will also be accompanied by the first edition of the HKIFF Industry – CAA China Genre Initiative (HCG), aimed at supporting the development of Chinese language genre films.
Highlights to Anticipate
Some of the standout projects include “About Her Hidden Life” produced by Wang Xiaoshuai and directed by Zhang Yushan. Peter Yam, alongside Werner, will produce Shreyom Ghosh’s horror comedy “The Vampire of Sheung Shui.” Yamamoto will venture into teen drama with Sakamoto Yukari’s “White Flowers and Fruits,” while Zhang Lu will present Zhang Yu’s triptych “Tephra.” Furthermore, Josh Kim will pitch his project “Camellia Girl” with producer Douglas Seok, known for his work on “Minari.”
Additionally, Patiparn Boontarig, the director of “Solids by the Seashore” from Thailand, will present “Naga Swim Upstream.” Fukada, the director of “Love Life,” will showcase “Nagi Notes,” a Japan-France co-production exploring the life of a Tokyo architect and two high school boys. Jang Kun-Jae’s “Staring at Your Back” will also be featured, following the success of his film “Because I Hate Korea” in Busan last year.
Encouraging Diversity and Collaborations
The HAF lineup embodies diversity and international collaborations, including two animated film projects. “The Excreman – On the Road” by Brian Tse and Hana Zhang’s “Pet Paradise,” a stop-motion film that delves into the world of plastic surgery, are sure to captivate audiences.
Lab Effort Showcase
HAF 2024 will also shine a spotlight on five projects previously developed as part of its lab effort. These include “A Ghost in the Market” by Chin Chia-Hua, “Sink City” by Hou Dasheng, Emetjan Memet’s Xinjiang-set comedy “Good Drink Pub,” Yeung Leung-chuen’s “The Playwright’s Stories,” and Yu Haiyang’s thrilling “Wake Me Up.” The latter tells the story of a Korean-Chinese mother reconnecting with her son in China, only to discover that he may be a murderer.
An Exciting Future
Jacob Wong, the HKIFF Industry Director, expressed delight in presenting such a diverse array of projects, featuring debuts from seven directors, alongside animations and collaborative endeavors spanning multiple countries. This selection showcases the resurgence of diversity and the revitalization of international collaborations.
Stay tuned as HKIFFS will soon announce the shortlisted projects for HCG and HAF’s Works-in-Progress initiative by early February.
For more information and updates, visit F5 Magazine.