The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society will present four projects selected through new partnerships with Jakarta Film Week, JAFF Market and the Japan Creator Support Fund at the upcoming HKIFF Industry Project Market.
The development-stage titles – Loeloe Hendra Komara’s “A Life Full of Holes,” Najam Yardo’s “PingPong,” Kusano Natsuka’s “Unknown Face” and the stop-motion animation “Hidari” from Kawamura Masashi and Ogawa Iku – join 42 previously announced in-development and work-in-progress projects for the 24th Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum. The market runs March 17-19 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre alongside FilMart, now in its 30th edition.
HKIFF Industry is expanding its Jakarta Film Week partnership to include JAFF Market, supporting Indonesia’s film sector with backing from the country’s Ministry of Culture through its National Talent Management programme.
“The ongoing collaboration with HKIFF Industry plays a crucial role in creating a sustainable platform for the development and networking of Indonesian talents and projects within the Asian and international film circuits,” said Vivian Idris, promoter of National Talent Management for Film.
Two Indonesian projects comprise the Jakarta Film Week & JAFF Market section. Komara’s “A Life Full of Holes” follows a 17-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a content creator while caring for her young siblings after her mother leaves to work overseas as a migrant worker. Komara’s “Tale of the Land” screened at Busan in 2024. Indra Yudhitya Irawan, Komara and Kuek Shee Heng produce the Indonesia-Taiwan co-production for Onomastika Films and Aview Images.
Yardo directs “PingPong,” inspired by the filmmaker’s personal experiences and following a disgraced Olympian banned from table tennis who is forced underground to earn a living from the sport while struggling to care for her senile father and navigating a strained relationship with her son. Hannan Cinthya produces for Arungi Films.
HKIFF Industry’s separate collaboration with the Japan Creator Support Fund introduces the Film Frontier section, highlighting Japanese filmmakers seeking international co-production and collaboration opportunities.
“We are thrilled to launch Film Frontier in partnership with HKIFF Industry. We hope to connect our next-generation filmmakers with international partners who can help bring their unique visions to life,” said Ikeda Kaori, managing director of UniJapan.
The inaugural Film Frontier selection features two projects. “Hidari,” a stop-motion animation from directors Kawamura and Ogawa, is inspired by the legend of Hidari Jingorō and set in a wood-punk vision of Edo-period Japan. The tale of vengeance, political conspiracy and legacy follows the sculptor battling mechanical soldiers and confronting his past. Matsumoto Noriko produces for Dwarf Studios.
Kusano directs “Unknown Face,” exploring the relationship of a bisexual woman and her partner who develop an intimacy with a stranger until a sudden shift in their dynamics forces them to wear strange, illegible faces resembling traditional Noh masks. Kusano’s “Domains” screened at Rotterdam in 2018. Miyoshi Gohey, Anocha Suwichakornpong and Paul Mori produce for Matataki Films GK.
All shortlisted projects will compete for cash and in-kind prizes across 17 categories, including development and post-production gap financing, equipment, filming and post-production services. The 24 award winners represent a total value of $360,000.
Three sponsors are presenting awards for the first time. Kantana Holdings will offer three in-kind awards for digital intermediate post-production ($25,000), sound post-production ($25,000) and virtual production ($87,500). Phenom Films will support one project with in-kind post-production services valued at $38,500.
Sensitive skincare brand Cetaphil is collaborating to promote creative voices through the HAF Goes to Cannes program, supporting selected filmmakers as they showcase their work internationally.