The 30th Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) and EntertainmentPulse, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully after attracting about 8,000 industry professionals from 53 countries and regions. The events, held over four days, featured over 790 exhibitors from a record 38 countries and regions, including emerging markets like Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as mature markets such as Canada, France, Italy, Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This strong participation underscores Hong Kong's position as a center for cultural and artistic exchange.
FILMART advanced international collaboration in the film and television industry, serving as one of the region's most influential trading platforms. First-time exhibitors highlighted the event's role in expanding international networks. Timothy Oh, General Manager of COL International Group from Singapore, noted: "I am meeting friends and new business partners from Turkey, the UK, the US, and even Brazil. Hong Kong's role as an international hub helps create a bustling market with many business opportunities." Similarly, Sachitha Kalingamudali, General Manager of Mogo Studios from Sri Lanka, said FILMART exceeded expectations, enabling connections with distributors from many countries. Myanmar's aTwentyThree used FILMART as its first step into the international market, connecting with US and European distributors. Overseas buyers also praised the business matching effectiveness, with Bizhan Tong from the UK stating that FILMART remains one of the most effective platforms for driving cross-border collaboration, leading to new strategic partnerships and co-investment opportunities.
A highlight was the AI Hub, which showcased leading AI and technology companies. This platform helped Mainland Chinese start-ups and established enterprises accelerate overseas expansion. Zhihan Zhang, Founder and CEO of Daogu Culture Limited, remarked: "FILMART gathers global industry professionals, facilitates connections and exchanges, and enables us to understand client needs in different overseas markets." The newly established AI Academy, supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, offered 19 thematic workshops equipping professionals with hands-on AI skills.
Producers Connect, jointly organized by the HKSAR's Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the Hong Kong Film Development Council, and the HKTDC, united over 100 producers from Hong Kong and worldwide. Through networking sessions and panel discussions, the initiative strengthened connections between Hong Kong and the international film community. At a panel titled "International Coproductions in an Evolving Film Industry Landscape," Golden Globe-winning producer Janet Yang observed: "The world is getting flatter, language is mattering less and less to audiences everywhere." Producer Peter Chan added: "What you try to do is diversify your investors and partners into different regions."
EntertainmentPulse and the Digital Entertainment Summit featured 48 forums examining emerging industry trends, including artificial intelligence, streaming platform strategies, short dramas, and co-production financing. Justin Deimen, Managing Partner of Goldfinch International, shared: "We need to allocate more resources and capability towards creative IP valuation. If you cannot value something, you cannot invest in it." The FILMART Online IP Catalogue, featuring over 2,200 creative IP projects, extends the physical fair into a two-month networking platform, open until 27 April, enabling continued global business exploration. For more information, visit FILMART and EntertainmentPulse.
