ASEAN Film Festival 2026 Opens with Film, Music, and Cultural Exchange Taking Centre Stage

Bringing together partners, filmmakers and audiences through over 30 free screenings,
the Festival celebrates stories and creative voices from across ASEAN and beyond.
Phase 2 tickets are now available on the official website

HONG KONG, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The ASEAN Film Festival (AFF) 2026, organised by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation Limited (HKAF), has officially opened, presenting a vibrant programme of films and related activities across Hong Kong. The Festival commenced on 20 August with an opening event attended by government officials, Consuls-General, cultural partners, filmmakers, and guests from across the region, marking the start of a citywide celebration of storytelling, creativity and cultural dialogue.

From now until 27 September, over 30 films, including works from all 11 ASEAN countries, will be presented at free screenings across Hong Kong. This year's edition also highlights a strong musical dimension, with many ASEAN selections weaving sound and music into their storytelling. Phase 1 ticketing saw an enthusiastic public response; Phase 2 tickets are now available on the AFF website.

Celebrating cultural exchange through film, music and storytelling

The opening ceremony was attended by esteemed guests including Mr Hua You, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Miss Rosanna Law, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR, Miss Vivian Kong Man-wai, SBS, MH, Legislative Council Member (Functional Constituency - Tourism), Mr Muzambli Markam, Dean of the ASEAN Consuls-General in Hong Kong and Consul-General of Malaysia in Hong Kong, alongside the Consuls-General or representatives from participating countries, Mr Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, Commissioner for Belt and Road of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government, Miss Pamela Lam, JP, Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau of the HKSAR Government, Miss Drew Lai, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSAR Government, Miss Grace Kwok, JP, Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government, and representatives from co-presenters, venue partners and supporting organisations.

Miss Rosanna Law, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR, said that the ASEAN Film Festival 2026 is about far more than screening of films, it is fundamentally about connection and collaboration between ASEAN and Hong Kong, which resonates profoundly with Hong Kong's strategic positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Miss Law also reiterated the commitment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to backing local filmmakers with targeted initiatives, and, through the Film Development Fund, supports creative local productions and international co-productions, nurtures young talents and showcases Hong Kong cinema on the global stage.

Mr Muzambli Markam, Dean of the ASEAN Consuls-General in Hong Kong and Consul-General of Malaysia in Hong Kong, said the Festival highlights the diversity of cultures and creative voices across ASEAN and beyond. He added that this year in particular, with music woven throughout much of the programme, audiences are not only experiencing traditions, stories and aspirations on screen, but also hearing the sounds, voices and music that shape these communities. He expressed delight at welcoming Timor-Leste to take its place on this stage for the first time, reflecting both ASEAN's continued growth and the strong friendship that has developed between ASEAN and Hong Kong over the years.

Mr Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, Commissioner for Belt and Road of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government, said the Belt and Road Initiative is fundamentally about building sustained connections among people, places and ideas across a wide geography, and that Hong Kong has a unique role to play in that network. He noted that the Festival offers Hong Kong audiences an opportunity to discover the creativity and cultural richness of ASEAN and other participating regions, and that through cinema, people can gain a deeper understanding of different communities and the stories that connect them.

AFF 2026 programme highlights and special screenings

AFF 2026 offers Hong Kong audiences a curated selection of films that reflect the stories, traditions, and contemporary life of participating countries and regions. This year's expanded lineup features two Hong Kong films supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, highlighting Hong Kong's creative talent and fostering cultural dialogue and deeper cross-regional appreciation. Film and music together form the emotional core of this exchange, conveying the cultures of ASEAN and beyond in distinct ways and providing audiences with an accessible platform to learn about and explore varied perspectives.

Throughout the Festival, film enthusiasts can experience special screenings paired with exclusive sharing sessions featuring filmmakers. The opening week featured memorable moments, with audiences meeting the Loboc Children's Choir from the Philippines' "Song of the Fireflies", award-winning director Jill Leung of Hong Kong's "Last Song for You", director Pyae Zaw Phyo of Myanmar's "I Wanna Be Your Lobster…", and the visionary directors behind "New Frequencies: Short Films of Youth and Whimsy" – Adnan Al Rajeev, Ananth Subramaniam and Whammy Alcazaren.

The excitement continues with more highly anticipated upcoming screenings. Internationally acclaimed producer Davy Chou joins Cambodia's "Turn Left Turn Right", while Pakistan's record-breaking blockbuster "The Legend of Maula Jatt" brings director Bilal Lashari and producer Ammara Hikmat to the city. AFF alum Yandy Laurens returns with Indonesia's "Sore: A Wife from the Future", and in a festival first, Timor-Leste makes its debut on 27 August with "Intangible Cultural Heritage: Short Films from Timor-Leste", joined by director Grazela Maria Albino.

Mr Daryl Ng, SBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation Limited, thanked the participating government officials, Consuls-General and partners, filmmakers and creative talents for their support and contribution to the Festival. He hoped audiences would enjoy the programme and take the opportunity to discover new stories, gain fresh perspectives and learn more about the rich cultural diversity represented on screen.

AFF 2026 is made possible through the support of the Consulates-General of the 18 countries in Hong Kong, and partners across the cultural and business sectors. Co-presenters include the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, M+ and Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Supporting organisations comprise the Belt and Road Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Financial Services Development Council, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Invest Hong Kong, Our Hong Kong Foundation, and various chambers and associations. In addition to films from all 11 ASEAN countries, this year's programme also includes selected works from Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, China (Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland), Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Russia, offering audiences a broader range of cultural and cinematic perspectives.

The public is invited to visit the official AFF 2026 website to register for Phase 2 tickets, available on a first-come, first-served basis. For full details on the featured films and screening schedule, please refer to the appendix or visit the AFF 2026 website: https://www.aseanfilmfest.org/.

SOURCE Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation