As the temperature dips and strong winds sweep across Hong Kong this week, something else arrives with the cool change — the 22nd Hong Kong Asian Film Festival (HKAFF). From Oct 22 to Nov 9, the city transforms into a cinematic haven celebrating the richness of Asian storytelling. And five standout international titles are highly recommended for all cinema lovers.
1. Another World
Opening this year’s Hong Kong Asian Film Festival, the locally produced animated feature Another World marks a landmark moment for Hong Kong animation. Directed by emerging filmmaker Tommy Ng Kai‑Chung and written and produced by Yeung Po‑Man, this visually stunning project took seven years to bring from concept to screen.
The film tells the story of what happens after death — before reincarnation, every soul passes through “Another World,” where a spirit guide named Gudo leads lost souls toward their next life. The story follows Gudo and a cursed young girl named Yuri, as they embark on a perilous and emotional journey together.
Having premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and screened at Sitges and Golden Horse, the film now makes its long‑awaited homecoming at HKAFF — a triumphant return of Hong Kong animation to the global stage.
In a year when global animation is thriving — from Netflix’s viral K‑Pop Demon Hunter to China’s record‑breaking Ne Zha 2 — Another World proudly stands as Hong Kong’s own original contribution to the art form.
If you want to witness the next milestone in local animation, don’t just read about it — watch it unfold on the big screen.
| Date | Time | Venue | Note |
| Oct 24 | 9:30 p.m. | Broadway Cinematheque | — |
| Oct 26 | 1:00 p.m. | Premiere Elements | — |
2. Road to Vendetta
The film blends distinctive Hong Kong local elements, centering on a mysterious Asian assassin organization that operates under the guise of a humble cart noodle shop — a beloved Hong Kong street‑food staple. Hidden amid the city’s bustle, the shop serves as a front for taking assassination jobs and trading intelligence.
An unexpected incident links one of the organization’s killers, No. 4, with the Japanese yakuza across the sea, setting off an“East Asian John Wick” Story.
A co‑production between Hong Kong and Japan, Road to Vendetta delivers dynamic on‑screen chemistry fuels a stylish and tightly choreographed thriller. The film stars rising hometown idol Jeffery Ngai in his first leading role, opposite Japanese newcomer Sara Minami and acclaimed veteran Naoto Takenaka, alongside Chu Pak Him and Rosa Maria Velasco.
Just after purchasing her ticket at the counter, Ms. Fan — a devoted Jeffery Ngai fan — shared her excitement about the film: “It’s his first time playing a leading role, and it’s a thrilling action movie. I’ll definitely be there to support him when it screens.”
The feature debut of fresh talent Njo Kui Ying, who both wrote and directed the film, has already been featured at Fantastic Fest and shortlisted at the Pingyao International Film Festival, signaling the rise of a confident new voice in Hong Kong action movie.
If you have ever wondered where the next generation of Hong Kong action will be look like, Road to Vendetta may very well hold the answer.
| Date | Time | Venue | Note |
| Nov 9 | 4:15 p.m. | Premiere Elements | — |
| Nov 9 | 7:00 p.m. | Premiere Elements | — |
3. Kokuho
Representing Japan in this year’s Oscar race, Kokuho receives an impressive four screenings at HKAFF — a clear testament to its cinematic significance.
Directed by Lee Sang‑il, this 174‑minute epic immerses audiences in the mesmerizing world of Kabuki, Japan’s stylized male theatrical tradition. Opening in 1964 Nagasaki, the film follows two devoted performers whose intertwined destinies span five decades — from the post‑war years to the modern era. Through their journey, Kokuho delicately interlaces themes of tradition and modernity, family legacy and personal choice, cultural preservation and transformation.
Anchored by extraordinary performances from Ryo Yoshizawa and Ryusei Yokohama, the film delivers an emotional depth rarely seen in recent cinema. Their portrayals are central to the film’s brilliance and emotional resonance.
Adapted from Shuichi Yoshida’s bestselling novel, the film not only captivated critics but also conquered the Japanese box office, grossing over 14 billion yen to become the second highest‑grossing live‑action Japanese film in history. Praised as a “once‑in‑a‑century masterpiece.”
If you were moved by Farewell My Concubine, you will likely find Kokuho just as haunting, poetic, and profound.
| Date | Time | Venue | Note |
| Oct 25 | 12:30 p.m. | Premiere Elements | — |
| Oct 25 | 12:55 p.m. | Premiere Elements | — |
| Oct 25 | 4:40 p.m. | Premiere Elements | — |
| Nov 15 | 1:00 p.m. | Broadway Cinematheque | Student Screening |
4. Finch & Midland
For many Hongkongers who emigrated to Canada in the 1990s, life abroad was never as idyllic as imagined. Materially, most lived comfortably enough — but emotionally and spiritually, the struggle for belonging, identity, and connection often proved much harder to navigate.
In Finch & Midland, filmmaker Timothy Yeung, who grew up within a Canadian Hong Kong immigrant community, turns his empathetic lens on four middle‑aged Hong Kong immigrants living in the aging neighborhoods of Scarborough, Ontario. Each trudges through quiet hardship, trying to preserve dignity and hope amid loneliness and displacement.
The film offers a moving portrayal of those caught between worlds: unable to return, yet never fully belonging. Yeung’s direction is intimate and observant, crafting a tender reflection on aging, resilience, and the universal search for home.
Featuring an exceptional cast including Anthony Wong, Patrick Tam, Harriet Yeung, Theresa Lee, and Nina Paw, Finch & Midland premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival, where it drew praise for its authenticity and emotional depth.
If you have ever questioned where you truly belong — or found yourself adrift between identities — this film quietly invites you to sit down, reflect, and perhaps find a piece of your own story on screen.
| Date | Time | Venue | Note |
| Oct 23 | 7:20 p.m. | Premiere Elements | — |
| Oct 23 | 9:50 p.m. | Premiere Elements | — |
5. Once Upon a Time in Gaza
As this year’s Israel–Palestine conflict intensifies, HKAFF introduces a new Gaza showcase — a curated selection of six films spanning 1985 to 2025, offering audiences rare and nuanced perspectives beyond the daily headlines.
Among these titles, Once Upon a Time in Gaza stands out as a bold and genre‑defying work. A France‑Palestine‑Germany‑Portugal co‑production from Gaza‑born twin brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser, the film takes us back to 2007 Gaza, when Israel declared the territory “hostile” and began its isolation.
Winner of the Best Director Award (Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival), the film moves fluidly between satire, self‑reflection, and social realism. Beneath its absurdity lies a heartfelt meditation on survival, creativity, and the human yearning for normalcy in extraordinary circumstances.
If you wish to explore the Gaza question through a lens that’s insightful yet not oppressively heavy, Once Upon a Time in Gaza offers a rare balance of humor, empathy, and striking originality.
| Date | Time | Venue | Note |
| Oct 24 | 9:30 p.m. | Broadway Cinematheque | — |
| Oct 26 | 1:00 p.m. | Premiere Elements | — |
With screenings across major cinemas until Nov 9. Whether you’re a long‑time film lover or just looking for something new this autumn, it’s the perfect time to catch a few selections on the big screen and experience the diversity of stories Asia has to offer.