Now in its third year, the ASEAN Film Festival (AFF 2025) will be launching this August with over 20 acclaimed films from various countries in the region and beyond!
Organized by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, the ASEAN Film Festival is a nonprofit initiative to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of culture through the art of storytelling through films. This year, the festival aims to broaden cultural horizons by showcasing works from four Belt and Road countries, namely Egypt, Hungary, Kazakhstan, and Turkey.
Additionally, the filmmakers and directors from around ten highlighted films will take part in special sharing sessions with local youth and ASEAN students in Hong Kong, enriching the viewing experience and enhancing their understanding of different countries.
Running from Aug. 7 to 31, AFF 2025 will feature a selection of films that will provide Hong Kong audiences with a mix of genres, from heartwarming comedies, thrilling mysteries, and inspiring dramas. The festival aims to encourage the younger generation to appreciate the rich and diverse cinematic works from ASEAN and Belt and Road countries, as well as explore and understand the cultural heritage of these nations.
“Films serve as a cultural medium that transcends geographical boundaries, conveying diverse stories with a shared emotional bond. This year, we are truly honored to continue presenting exciting films from the ten ASEAN countries to our audiences in Hong Kong, and for the first time, to feature works from four Belt and Road countries. Their participation enriches the festival, sparking new exchanges and creative connections across borders. This further highlights Hong Kong’s unique charm as a cultural hub, and reinforces the city’s vital role as a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’ between Mainland China and the international community,” said Daryl Ng, Chairman of Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation.
AFF 2025 will be offering a month of free screenings at multiple venues across Hong Kong, along with post-screening discussions featuring filmmakers. Some of these sessions will also include local film industry professionals, in collaboration with the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, to encourage meaningful cross-regional dialogue and creative exchange.
Among this year’s lineup are award-winning blockbusters such as “Ah Boys to Men 3: Frogmen” (Singapore), which set a record for Singapore’s opening week box office, and the 4K restored version of Thailand’s classic hit “My Girl.” Audiences can all look forward to emotional features like "Falling in Love Like in Movies” (Indonesia), “Nuansang: The Heart of Teacher” (Laos), and “If My Lover Were a Flower”(Myanmar).
The festival also highlights the autobiographical film, “Champion” (Turkey), which is an epic tale of love, sacrifice, betrayal, and redemption, “Samsara” (Indonesia), and ‘Tomiris’ (Kazakhstan), which tells a story about female leadership and courage.
AFF 2025 will also be featuring two cross-country collaborations: “Out of the Nest” (Thailand and China) and “Our Blossom” (Hungary and Vietnam), which showcase the creative synergy between regions, celebrating the universal language of film.
You can now register for free entry tickets, available on a first-come, first-served basis on the website . You can also view the full details of the featured films and screening schedules here.
AFF 2025 is a collaborative endeavor involving the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, the Consulates -General of the 14 countries in Hong Kong, and various partners across multiple sectors. Co-presenters include the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, M+ and Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Supporting organizations comprise the Belt and Road Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Financial Services Development Council, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, InvestHK, Our Hong Kong Foundation, and various chambers and associations
For updates, follow the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
