KINO/24 German Film Festival Begins in Hong Kong This October

What happens when two kids get caught in the web of a grieving mother with a deadly secret and an occult ritual gone wrong? A24’s latest supernatural horror, "Bring Her Back," directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, brings a disturbing tale of trauma, loss, and possession to cinemas globally, including the big screen in Hong Kong. 

After their debut hit feature "Talk To Me," the Australian twin brother duo dives even deeper into psychological horror with a film that blurs the line between maternal love and madness. 

Set in an eerie and secluded house of a foster mother, Bring Her Back follows Andy (played by Billy Barratt) and his visually impaired half-sister, Piper (Sora Wong), who are thrust into foster care after the sudden death of their father. 

The siblings are placed under the care of Laura (Sally Hawkins), a motherly figure who is already fostering another child, Olly (Jonah Wren Phillips). But there’s something unnervingly off about Laura’s behavior, as the children become drawn into a disturbing, occult ritual that involves sacrifice, possession, and grisly consequences.

Horror fans, be warned: the Philippous are not shy about delivering on the gore. Bring Her Back is a slow-burn film that gradually escalates from eerie tension to full-blown bloodcurdling terror. 

As Laura’s grip on reality slips, the film explores the dark depths of maternal grief and trauma, culminating in a chilling portrayal of a mother willing to go to any lengths to revive her deceased daughter. The film’s unsettling visuals, including grainy VHS tapes and in-your-face body horror, will keep you squirming long after the credits roll.

The horror of this film isn't just in the blood and guts, but in the slow, creeping unraveling of Laura’s psychology, highlighting primal fears of possession, betrayal, and the anguish of losing a loved one.

Bring Her Back has a runtime of 105 minutes and is rated R by the Motion Picture Association. Make sure to check it out while it's still showing in cinemas!

To see the full list of showtimes, visit Emperor Cinemas on their website. For more details, check out their Instagram and Facebook. 

Location: Multiple Cinemas in Hong Kong (a digital release is scheduled for July).

This May, Hong Kong’s art scene buzzed with energy as the Affordable Art Fair (AAF) swung open its doors to the public.

Reaffirming its mission to make art collecting approachable for everyone, the AAF’s 12th edition showcased an exciting range of contemporary artworks priced under HK$100,000 — and many marked below HK$10,000.

The fair embraced its empowering theme: “I Am an Art Collector” with 99 exhibitors from leading galleries from Asia-Pacific powerhouses like Hong Kong, China, Japan, South Korea, and India, alongside participants from Europe, Australia, and the US. 

Notable local galleries such as Hong Kong Arts Collective, HKI Gallery, Insight Creation Studio, and Step Creation Limited showcased the city’s rich artistic talent.

A highlight was the collaboration with the British Consulate General Hong Kong, which launched the GREAT Art zone, curated by respected local artist Wong Ka Ying, adding a unique global dimension to the event.

This year's Special Projects at the fair featured six distinct creative units, each exploring new frontiers of artistic expression through groundbreaking installations, live performances, and interactive pieces.

A poignant Chinese Contemporary Ink session titled "Muses in Tranquility" featured four female ink artists: Liu Jia, Yi Pang, Peggy Choi, and Yvonne Chow. Together, they created a large-scale Banyan tree live, symbolizing friendship and open hearts. The completed artwork was also available for purchase.

Another highlight of the exhibition was Jackie Case's The ATM Project, a performance piece at a cleverly disguised functional ATM.

This piece invited visitors to submit prompts using her booth and receive on-the-spot sketches from Jackie, inviting new collectors to own art and sparking dialogue about artists’ social roles. Patrons also had the opportunity to purchase these artworks for as little as HK$300.

Meanwhile, the collaboration between the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and artist Angel Hui Hoi-kiu brought the nostalgic “Auntie Angel Store” to life.  With Angel playing the role of the shop owner of a vintage tuck shop, visitors were invited to immerse themselves in authentic local flavors and memories, and explore blue-and-white ceramic artworks of classic snacks. 

Visitors engaging in interactive areas could collect artist-designed badges inspired by beloved local snacks or enjoy nostalgic games reminiscent of childhood.

Another standout exhibit was Li Shudan’s “Fruit Market,” showcasing 280 hand-carved wooden fruits infused with different scents — offering visitors the chance to adopt their own pair for HK$1,000 and personalize their collecting journey. 

At the same time, local artist Pen So transformed a Hong Kong-inspired café with vivid murals featuring iconic cityscapes, space elements, familiar dishes, and street snacks. Visitors were invited to unwind while soaking up his award-winning illustration series, "Dream Journey Through Hong Kong."

The fair continued its longstanding tradition of uplifting emerging artists and supporting their careers. This year's Young Talent Hong Kong Program presented the exhibition, “Tiny Ensemble Turning," curated by Peony Hung.

Five hand-selected rising local artists, including Soho So and Todd Lam (co-founders of Pengguin), Jason Chan, Aria Chan, and Irene Lee, took center stage, exhibiting their diverse practices — ranging from printmaking to vibrant painting and sculptural work. 

For more information, visit AAF on their website here, or find them on Instagram and Facebook for more details.

This May, celebrated multidisciplinary artist CHANG (Ernest Chang) invites art lovers to experience "Artifice," a one-of-a-kind exhibition marking the 10th anniversary of The Stallery in Hong Kong.

Located in the historic Stone Nullah Lane, just steps from the iconic Blue House, The Stallery is founded and passionately driven by CHANG. The Stallery has long championed emerging local talent and international visitors alike, fostering a vibrant community-centered art scene.

CHANG's latest exhibition, "Artifice," explores contemporary society and technology, reshaping them as organic and timeless artifacts.  

But "Artifice" is more than a milestone celebration. It heralds a bold new direction for CHANG’s work, shifting away from his signature style to dive deep into the interplay of form and concept.

Inspired by Chinese Scholar’s Rocks, natural wonders shaped by time and human hands, CHANG explores paradoxes: life versus death, nature against technology, permanence beside fleeting moments. 

“The idea came to me while looking at Chinese scholars' rocks—particularly the tension between old and new in how they were created. Many people think Chinese scholars' rocks are made naturally and collected, but actually, a lot of them are chipped away or enhanced by human hands. I’ve been thinking about the tension between humans and artificial intelligence a lot. That’s why I drew the comparison with Chinese scholars' rocks, because I feel like they are the first artificial organic works."

The exhibition features artwork honored by time, combining bronze casting and hand embroidery with contemporary screen printing and digital methods. They breathe new life into symbols of our era: Wi-Fi signals, Bluetooth icons, and global currencies, all rendered as sculptural fossils. 

True to The Stallery’s immersive approach, the gallery also transforms into a serene Zen Garden for "Artifice," complete with pebbled floors, textured rocks, artificial grass, and a traditional Chinese bridge — turning the entire space into a living artwork.

Make sure to catch this exhibition, running until the end of August! For more information, visit The Stallery on their website, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Location: The Stallery, G/F 82A Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai

Exhibition Dates: May 24, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2025

Opening Hours: Wednesdays to Sundays, from 11 AM to 7 PM

Hong Kong’s heartbeat has always thrummed to the sound of street life, and now, courtesy of the Mondrian Hong Kong, it's dancing to a new rhythm. 

This May, the five-star hotel is transforming the space opposite into a plein air stage. The Corner Shop Busking Festival celebrates the city’s up-and-coming homegrown musical talent, right in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui.

Every Saturday in May, from 6 PM to 10 PM, two fresh faces of Hong Kong’s emerging talent will take center stage. Whether you're into acoustic folk, gritty pop, or transformative R&B, this cultural outpost brings you an eclectic mix of genres — to be enjoyed for free!

The Corner Shop Busking Festival kicked off on May 10, 2025, with an intimate set-up that gave guests the chance to meet the musicians, hear their stories in a relaxed, informal setting, while enjoying vibrant live music.

On May 10, the local singer-songwriter Siu Yuen presented a mix of covers and original music, spanning acoustic folk and pop folk. Candy Ng, a member of the female group "Sex on the Beat," impressed with bold, pop-driven lyrics. 

This coming May 17, at 6 PM, Gary and Exppa, a staple of Hong Kong’s busking circuit, will perform. Afterwards, VinkyBB, known for covers into personal anthems, will play at 8 PM. 

The following Saturday, May 24, expect soulful ballads from Eric at 6 PM and emerging singer and songwriter Sky at 8 PM.

For the final event on May 31, at 6 PM, Jhei, an artist and producer known for his original Cantonese ballads and R&B, will perform, followed by the young and talented Alvin and Homan at 8 PM.

For more information, stay tuned via Mondrian Hong Kong on their website, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Location: Mondrian Hong Kong, 11A-D, 8A Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

The rhythm of paddles slicing through water, the air thick with anticipation, and the energy of riled up festivity — Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Carnival is a celebration that is hard to beat.

This year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is transforming Tsim Sha Tsui East into a non-stop cultural extravaganza, from May 31 to June 8, 2025, with the much-anticipated Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races leading the charge.

Over 190 teams from 12 countries, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and newcomers Egypt and Qatar, will converge on Victoria Harbour for an adrenaline-packed race. 

Over 4,500 athletes will paddle for glory in 19 high-stakes races, including a new Secondary Schools Championship aimed at inspiring the next generation to dive into Hong Kong's rich cultural traditions.

But the races aren’t all you should expect! HKTB is weaving together a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and tastes that will keep visitors and locals hooked. The Dragon Boat Food Lane along the Avenue of Stars will serve up a nine-day feast of dragon-boat-inspired street snacks, rice dumplings, and summer drinks. 

The area will also be home to festive photo spots featuring Ocean Park Hong Kong’s adorable Panda Friends — the giant pandas An An, Ke Ke, Ying Ying, and Le Le, along with the adorable twin cubs Elder Sister and Little Brother.

Add to that exciting flash mob acrobatic performances by the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil, and a lively Beer Garden curated by San Miguel Brewery, where visitors can unwind with local brews and enjoy live race broadcasts.  

Visitors can stop by the HKTB Visitor Centers at Hong Kong International Airport, Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier, and Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, or collect beer vouchers at the East Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and redeem them for a complimentary draught beer in the Beer Garden.

As the evening draws in, the waterfront carnival will be a glowing spectacle you won't want to miss, with the Beer Garden and Dragon Boat Food Lane staying open as late as 10 PM.  

For more details, check out HKTB’s official website, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Formerly Twitter).

Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races

Location: Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade

Hours: June 7, 2025 from 8 AM to 7 PM, June 8, 2025 from 8 AM to 6 PM

Dragon Boat Food Lane | Panda Friends@Ocean Park Hong Kong Pop-up Store

Location: Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui

Hours: 1 PM to 10 PM

“Cirque du Soleil” Flash Mob Performance

Location: Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui • The Urban Council Centenary Garden, Tsim Sha Tsui East

Hours: Between 1 PM to 6 PM (irregular hours)

Beer Garden

Location: The Urban Council Centenary Garden, Tsim Sha Tsui East

Hours: From 2 PM to 10 PM

Vibrant hues, lush greenery, and vivid Hong Kong landscapes leap off the canvases displayed Colours of Hope, the title of Children of the Mekong’s art exhibition, in partnership with French May 2025.

Running from May 8 to May 11, 2025, this dynamic showcase brings together 30 international artists, each contributing their unique vision to help transform the lives of underprivileged children in Southeast Asia. 

Held in the heart of Hong Kong Park at the charming Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, this exhibition features international artists like Antoine de Saint Vaulry, Blanca Rosa Rasmussen, Derry Ainsworth, and Faustine Badrichani, to name a few—each bringing their personal touch to this collective celebration of color and hope.

Explore a wide range of art spanning photography, sculpture, and installations, curated by Marie-Hélène Vidal, Anne Deligny Villet, and Christel Villepelet, with the support of Delphine Canard-Moreau.

Every piece in the exhibition is a stepping stone towards a brighter future for disadvantaged children. All proceeds from the sale of the artworks will go directly to Children of the Mekong, funding vital programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of children across Southeast Asia.

Admission is free!

For more information, visit Children of The Mekong on their website, Instagram and Facebook. 

Location: Hong Kong Visual Arts Center, 7A Kennedy Road, Central

Exhibition Dates: May 8 to May 11, 2025

Opening Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 9 PM