The Hong Kong International Film Festival will mark its 50th anniversary next month with a pair of Asia premieres from two of the region’s most closely watched young auteurs. Singaporean director Anthony Chen’s We Are All Strangers has been selected as the opening-night film of the landmark edition of the festival, while Hong Kong filmmaker Philip Yung’s Cyclone will close the event. The festival runs April 1–12.
Chen’s film will kick off the festivities with a gala screening at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The drama is the concluding installment of the director’s Singapore-set “Growing Up” trilogy and recently premiered in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it was very well received. Starring Yeo Yann Yann and Koh Jia Ler, the story examines questions of family, identity and belonging beyond conventional blood ties.
Yung’s Cyclone, which debuted earlier this year at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, will wrap the festival on April 12. The film stars Liu Yuqiao, Edwynn Li and Jenny Suen and explores themes of transgender identity and social marginalization.
The two titles headline a program of 215 films from 71 countries and territories assembled for the festival’s Golden Jubilee edition. The lineup includes 11 world premieres, four international premieres and 49 Asian premieres.
Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke has previously been announced as the festival’s Filmmaker in Focus, with a retrospective program and on-stage appearances planned during the event. The festival has appointed Taiwanese actress Gingle Wang — who won best lead actress at the 22nd Taipei Film Festival — and Thai actor Metawin Opasiamkajorn, recipient of the Asian Film Awards Academy’s 2024 Asian Rising Star Award, as Asian Visionary Ambassadors. They join festival ambassadors Angela Yuen and Tony Wu. A number of prominent international filmmakers are also expected to attend, including Juliette Binoche, Chen Kaige, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Huang Jianxin, Ann Hui, Tsai Ming-liang, Ildikó Enyedi, Pen-ek Ratanaruang, Edwin and Ben Rivers.
Alongside the film program, the festival is mounting several special events tied to the 50th anniversary. These include three performances of In the Mood for Love – In Concert, a collaboration with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra presenting Wong Kar-wai’s classic film with a newly interpreted live score.
The festival will also host a free exhibition at Hong Kong City Hall titled 50 and Beyond: The Hong Kong International Film Festival Golden Jubilee Exhibition, featuring archival materials, photographs and reflections from filmmakers associated with the event over the decades.