HKIFF’s 2025 Asia Film Financing Forum announces 25 titles for 2025 edition

The Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), a cornerstone of Asia’s film industry, has announced the 25 projects selected for its 2025 edition. The prestigious event, part of the Hong Kong International Film Festival’s Industry Project Market, will take place from 17-19 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, coinciding with the 29th Hong Kong Filmart.

This year’s lineup features an impressive array of films in development from renowned directors and producers, including Kore-eda Hirokazu, Aditya Vikram Sengupta, Nai An, Stanley Kwan, and Yeh Ju-Feng. HKIFF Industry director Jacob Wong emphasized the cultural richness of the selected projects. “Those shortlisted are remarkable for their cultural diversity. They showcase extraordinary storytelling in a broad range of genres, from action to sci-fi, fantasy, suspense, and horror,” said Wong.

Wong highlighted the global reach of the forum, which received 276 submissions from 45 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Thailand, Turkey, Japan, Kazakhstan, and South Korea. “There are nine projects from female directors this year, as well as several collaborations involving filmmakers from Asia, Europe, and North America, underscoring Hong Kong’s position at the crossroads of the global film industry,” he added.

Among the highlights is 49 Days, a France-China collaboration directed by first-timer Hu Wei and produced by Sylvie Pialat and Nai An. The film tells the story of a divorced Chinese couple reuniting in Paris to arrange their son’s funeral. From India, Aditya Vikram Sengupta backs Republic of Mahalaxmi Apartment, directed by Niladri Mukherjee, which explores majority rule issues in India through the lens of a single mother facing public backlash in her housing estate.

Japanese auteur Kore-eda Hirokazu lends his support to newcomer Yamaura Miyoh for Yellow, a film about a man haunted by guilt after a fatal car accident. Another standout is 2181 Overture, adapted from Gu Shi’s Hugo Award-shortlisted novelette and directed by Wang Kunlin, which delves into a scientist’s post-cryogenic awakening in a changed world.

Edmund Yeo, known for Aqérat, will direct The Age of Goodbyes, based on Malaysian writer Li Zi Shu’s bestselling novel. Hong Kong directors also make their mark with Fan Ka Chun’s horror thriller Something in the Way and Open Fire by Sze Pak-lam and Lau Wing-tai, a gripping crime action film set against a slum fire.

Wong also revealed that HAF will introduce a standalone section for animation projects this year, with the shortlisted titles to be announced in February. Additionally, the HKIFF Industry-CAA China Genre Initiative will return in 2026, with CAA China presenting a new script development award at this year’s forum.

The list of full selection of in-development projects for 2025 is below. 

2181 Overture**, Mainland China, Canada
Director: Wang Kunlin
Producer: Zhao Zheyuan
Production Company: Yeahcheer Pictures Co.

49 Days, France, Mainland China
Director: Hu Wei
Producer: Sylvie Pialat, Nai An
Production Company: Les films du Worso

Aanaikatti Blues, India
Director: Arun Karthick
Producer: Madhu Mohan
Production Company: Manvasanai Cinema

The Age of Goodbyes, Taiwan, Malaysia
Director: Edmund Yeo
Producer: David Tang, Edmund Yeo, Dennis Lai, Zhao Jin
Production Company: Renaissance Films Limited

Besik. Homecoming, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan
Director: Iskandar Usmonov
Producer: Diana Ashimova, Yerlan Ibragim, Iskandar Usmonov
Production Company: A Team

The Bird Chaser, Mainland China
Director: Zeng Zhi
Producer: Li Tianyu, Joey Zhu Yinying
Production Company: Beijing Pinwu Cultural Communication Co., Ltd.

The Circumciser, The Philippines
Director: Jun Robles Lana
Producer: Perci Intalan, Ferdy Lapuz
Production Company: The IdeaFirst Company

Dead Tide, Malaysia
Director: Kethsvin Chee
Producer: Lee Sinje, Jin Ong
Production Company: Fast Forward Films Sdn Bhd

Drive South Pray West, Thailand
Director: Panu Aree, Kong Rithdee
Producer: Panu Aree
Production Company: Drive South Pray West Pictures

Giant Salamander, Mainland China
Director: Yang Heng
Producer: Yang Heng
Production Company: Xiangxi Meixi Space Culture Media Co.

Gone with the Wind, Mainland China
Director: Zhao Yanming
Producer: Aubrey Zheng Liyan
Production Company: Beijing Daxiwang Culture Media Co., Ltd.

Indigo Boy, Taiwan
Director: Bill Chia
Producer: Yeh Ju-Feng, Ivy Y.H. Chiang
Production Company: Fragrant Creative Integration Co., Ltd.

Innocent Flesh, Mainland China
Director: Lin Yihan
Producer: Li Yuwen, Hattie Yu
Production Company: Vast Vista Films

Lanka, India
Director: Saurav Rai
Producer: Saurav Rai, Ankita Purkayastha
Production Company: Neonate Audio LLP

Mabui, Japan
Director: Fukunaga Takeshi
Producer: Yamaguchi Shin, Eric Nyari
Production Company: KNOCKONWOOD Inc.

Open Fire, Hong Kong
Director: Sze Pak-lam, Lau Wing-tai
Producer: Ivan Wong
Production Company: Scene One Picture Limited

Pivot, Turkey
Director: Melisa Önel
Producer: Alara Hamamcioğlu Bayraktar
Production Company: Vigo Film

Republic of Mahalaxmi Apartment, India
Director: Niladri Mukherjee
Producer: Aditya Vikram Sengupta, Priyankar Patra
Production Company: For Films

See You There, Mainland China, Hong Kong
Director: Wong Yi-kwan
Producer: Wang Hongwei, Song Dafa
Production Company: Beijing Density Blue Film and Television Company

Seoulers, South Korea, USA
Director: Hee Young Pyun, Jiajun Oscar Zhang
Producer: Heejung Oh, Huang Yue, Christine Shen
Production Company: Seesaw Pictures

Somatization, Mainland China
Director: Sun Xiao
Producer: Wang Hongwei, Song Dafa, Lyu Hang
Production Company: Beijing Granary Film Culture Co., Ltd.

Something in the Way, Hong Kong
Director: Fan Ka-chun
Producer: Lam Suk-yin
Production Company: LOUDPROVISION

A Stranger at My Door, Hong Kong, Mainland China
Director: Zheng Lu Xinyuan
Producer: Stanley Kwan Kam-pang
Production Company: N/A

Waves Under the Sea, Macau, Hong Kong, Mainland China
Director: Chan Sileong
Producer: Chan Hing-kai, Robin Yung
Production Company: N/A

YELLOW, Japan
Director: Yamaura Miyoh
Producer: Kore-eda Hirokazu, Ohinata Jun
Production Company: BUNBUKU

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