Hong Kong‘s film industry is flexing its muscles at the Cannes Film Festival with a campaign designed to cement the city’s position as Asia’s premier film hub and IP trading center.

“Hong Kong Cinema @ Cannes 2025,” which kicked off May 13 and runs through May 24, has brought a significant contingent of Hong Kong film companies to the Croisette in a coordinated effort backed by multiple government agencies including the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the Hong Kong Film Development Council, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

The campaign’s centerpiece event, Hong Kong Night, drew more than 800 industry professionals to Majestic Beach on May 17, including the creative team behind “Sons of the Neon Night,” which landed a Midnight Screenings slot at this year’s festival. Director Juno Mak and stars Louis Koo and Gao Yuanyuan were on hand to celebrate the world premiere of their film alongside international producers, distributors, and film commission representatives.

“Building on the success of the HKTDC’s annual FilMart event, held in Hong Kong in March, we are thrilled to present ‘Hong Kong Cinema @ Cannes 2025,’” said HKTDC deputy executive Director Dr. Patrick Lau. “This year’s program underscores the strength of our conviction in Hong Kong’s vibrant film and creative industries.”

The Hong Kong Pavilion at Riviera Cannes has become a bustling hub for Asian cinema business, featuring major players like Celestial Pictures, Edko Films, Emperor Motion Pictures, Media Asia Film Distribution, One Cool Pictures, and Universe Films Distribution. Additional companies including All Rights Entertainment, Entertaining Power, Fortune Star Media, Golden Network Asia, Just Distribution, and Mandarin Motion Pictures are also participating in the market.

High-profile titles being shopped at the market include two prequels in Edko Films’ “Cold War” franchise — “Cold War 1994” and “Cold War 1995” — plus Emperor Motion Pictures’ extended version of Hong Kong’s highest-grossing 2024 release, “The Last Dance.” Media Asia Film is presenting two installments of its “Twilight of the Warriors” trilogy, while One Cool Pictures is promoting action feature “The Trier of Fact” and Universe Films is shopping comedy “Dog Day Evening.”

The program also featured two forward-looking panel discussions, including “A Better Tomorrow: The Success of Hong Kong & Asian Cinema to the World,” which gathered Asian film luminaries including Eric Lin, general manager of International Content Development Centre at Alibaba Pictures, Judy Ahn, head of international business of Showbox, director Juno Mak, and Todd Brown, head of international acquisitions at XYZ Films.

A second forum, “Asian Film Collaboration: Navigating Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges in a Global Landscape,” brought together filmmakers to discuss cross-cultural partnerships and innovative storytelling strategies aimed at global audiences.