Hongkongers love movies, and the city regularly hosts annual film festivals – including one of the oldest in Asia – as well as special showcases organised by cinemas and museums. There are some great opportunities to catch exclusive pre-release screenings of highly anticipated films, watch restored classics and hear from directors themselves. Here are five film-focused events you should look out for.
Hong Kong Asian Film Festival (HKAFF)
The Hong Kong Asian Film Festival (HKAFF) is a great choice for the top picks of local and regional Asian films. It often features coming-of-age stories, timely topics and cultural cinematography that teenagers will find familiar and recognisable.
Here, independent and mainstream works from South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China come together in a celebration of cinema. The festival organises screenings into categories such as “new talent” and “director in focus” at eight venues. Tickets are only HK$75 for children and students. This year’s edition will run from October 22 to November 22.
Hong Kong French Film Festival
The Hong Kong French Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the city. Organised by Alliance Française de Hong Kong, the first edition took place in 1953. It is now an annual event that screens French-language films from various regions, including family-friendly movies and animated works.
Details for this year’s edition have not been announced yet, but ticketing will begin at the end of October and screenings will take place from November 19 to December 11.
Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF)
Every spring, around 200 films from more than 50 countries and regions are showcased at the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF). This festival is one of the oldest of its kind in Asia, attracting more than 600,000 attendees. Screenings include Oscar-worthy shorts, high-profile premieres, restored classics and curated selections for young audiences.
There are also multiple opportunities to get up close and personal with filmmakers in Q&A sessions, as well as discounted tickets for full-time students starting at just HK$28. The next edition of HKIFF will run from April 1 to 12, 2026.
Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival’s Cinema Day
Hong Kong’s beloved Cinema Day also takes place each spring – but for just one day! As part of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, residents can enjoy discounted tickets and even free screenings at more than 50 participating cinemas.
Attendees can catch cult classics, family-friendly films, local works and insightful panel discussions. Many of the events tie in with the Pop Culture Festival, so you might see cosplay, anime references and films that relate to music.
Hong Kong Kids International Film Festival (KIFF)
Did you know Hong Kong has a film festival for kids and teenagers? While these screenings can be enjoyed by all ages, this summer festival hopes to bring meaningful films to young people in the city.
This past summer’s edition included an animated work from Pakistan, a screening of the classic children’s film Babe, local coming-of-age tales and live-action movies from Vietnam and Kenya.
