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Introduction to the film festival

Film Festival Highlights
Founded in 1976, the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) is Asia’s oldest international film festival and a pioneer in introducing Hong Kong, Chinese language and Asian cinema and filmmakers to the world. Annually screening over 200 titles from more than 50 countries in approximately 10 major cultural venues across the territory, the Festival is one of Hong Kong’s largest cultural events. The festival features world and international premieres of Hong Kong and Asian films, and Asian premiers of international films. The festival has maintained its founding premise of bringing films to local audiences that they might not be aware of, and of introducing Hong Kong, Chinese language, and Asian films to the world. The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organisation dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film. Committed to making world cinema accessible and affordable to the public, HKIFFS organises the annual flagship events: the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) and the Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) in March and April and the Summer International Film Festival (SummerIFF) held every August. The HKIFF Cine Fan Programme is a monthly programme that features a variety of contemporary, retrospective and thematic showcases.

Awards

YOUNG CINEMA COMPETITION (CHINESE LANGUAGE) & YOUNG CINEMA COMPETITION (WORLD) The Young Cinema Competition is set up to encourage young filmmakers to explore the potentials of the cinema of our times. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION The Documentary Competition is a salute to filmmakers around the world for their devotion to the documentary form and its languages. The Hong Kong International Film Festival is included in The Academy Awards’ Documentary Feature Qualifying Festival List. Films that win in the HKIFF’s Documentary Competition – Firebird Award will be eligible for Oscar submission. SHORT FILM COMPETITION Short film has its own formal, aesthetic and expressive qualities distinct from those of the feature. Short Film Competition offers a platform for short film directors to exchange visions and ideas.

Rules

Genre ：Action Comedy War Science fiction Ethics Terror Thriller Violence Adventure Crime Family Music Love Magic Fantasy Shootout Suspense Youth Inspirational Literary Biography Western Drama others Documentary
Subject ：Unlimited
Video Format ：MPEG4 DCP MOV MPEG

The Hong Kong International Film Festival programme comprises features, documentaries, shorts and animations organized into the following sections: 

 1. YOUNG CINEMA COMPETITION (CHINESE LANGUAGE) 2. YOUNG CINEMA COMPETITION (WORLD) 3. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION 4. SHORT FILM COMPETITION 5. GLOBAL VISION: 30-40 new works including special programmes and tributes 6. FANTASTIC BEATS: 15-20 new international works 7. REALITY BITES: 8-12 new documentaries 8. ANIMATION UNLIMITED: 12-15 new animated films 9. POETRY IN MOTION: 12-14 new experimental films Submit your film in the general entry categories for consideration for the above programmes. ELIGIBILITY 1. Films must have been completed after 1 January 2025. 2. Except Hong Kong productions, films must not have been shown in Hong Kong prior to the Festival screenings. 3. English subtitles are required for non-English language films. 4. Films previously submitted to the Festival and were not selected, will not be reconsidered for the 50th HKIFF.

Evaluation

Jury Profile
Jury Name Judge photos Jury Profile

Authorization type

    Proxy Submission

Duration (several sessions)

    50

Film Festival Features

  • Red Carpet
  • Celebrity Guest
  • Filmscreen
  • Trophy
  • Copyright transactions
  • Certificate

Dates & Deadlines

  • 2025-09-01
    Submission start time

  • 2025-11-02
    Earlybird Deadline

  • 2025-12-29
    Final deadline

  • 2025-12-29
    Submission end time

  • 2026-03-13
    Finalist notification start time

  • 2026-03-13
    Finalist notification end time

  • 2026-04-01
    Award ceremony start time

  • 2026-04-12
    Award ceremony end time

Categories and fees

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