‘Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation’ Kicks Off at emu Artspace on June 26

The Asian Film Awards Academy said it will host 〈Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation〉 at emu Artspace, Seoul’s leading arts venue, for 10 days from June 26 to July 5. Carrying forward the academy’s mission of cultural exchange through Asian film, the event features movie screenings, a themed exhibition, and a series of panel discussions, giving audiences a chance to take a broad look at Hong Kong cinema’s distinctive charm and its rich cultural heritage.

Supported by the Hong Kong Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the Hong Kong Film Development Fund (FDF), and the Tokyo Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative Office (Tokyo ETO), this year’s event will screen 10 Hong Kong films spanning classics and contemporary works. Alongside the opening feature 〈Someone Like Me〉, the program includes 〈Palimpsest: The Story of a Name〉, 〈Ciao UFO〉, 〈Another World〉, 〈Girlfriends〉, 〈Love Lies〉, and 〈Rouge (In Broad Daylight)〉, presented anew in 4K restored versions with 〈Rouge〉. Also showing are 〈A Better Tomorrow〉 and 〈Once a Thief〉. Covering a wide range of genres—romance and social realism, women’s coming-of-age stories, animation, documentaries, fantasy, and classic crime dramas—the screenings showcase the creativity and vitality of Hong Kong cinema. Many of the titles have been praised at major international film festivals and awards shows, and the lineup lets audiences see how Hong Kong film has carried forward the legacy of its golden era while continually evolving.

A special exhibition under the theme 'Hong Kong Urban Culture and Cinematic Memories' will guide visitors through Hong Kong cinema’s golden era. Behind-the-scenes photos from 〈Once a Thief〉 will be unveiled for the first time at this Seoul exhibition. The show will also present hard-to-find archive materials, including handwritten scripts and production notes for 〈A Better Tomorrow〉 and 〈Once a Thief〉, as well as film-related documents. These valuable materials offer a rare opportunity to glimpse the creative process behind some of the most beloved classics in Hong Kong film history.

The exhibition spotlights Hong Kong’s urban culture through film, recreating iconic cityscapes and collective memories through meticulously arranged display items and visual design. By tying together film history and urban culture, the exhibition helps visitors reflect more deeply on the development history of Hong Kong cinema and its distinct cultural identity.

A special delegation of filmmakers and artists representing Hong Kong will also visit Seoul and meet audiences in person. The delegation includes director Stanley KWAN, director CHAN Hing Ka, and Amy CHIN, along with directors Lawrence KAN, Wai Ching TAM, and Miu Ki HO, as well as actors You Nam WONG and Elizabeth Tang, and composer and erhu performer Wan Pin CHU. The names are on the delegation’s list for the trip to Korea. After the screenings, they will take part in conversations with audiences and topic discussions covering a broad range of issues—from social matters and women’s perspectives in films to cinematic legacies, as well as the growth of actors and filmmakers. In particular, this program will bring together two creative partnerships that connect generations in Hong Kong cinema—such as KWAN and TAM, and CHAN and Miu Ki HO—highlighting the spirit of mentorship and artistic inheritance, along with the breakthrough of the next generation of Hong Kong filmmakers. Ticket reservations are available on the emu Artspace website (www.emuartspace.com/) starting on the 19th.