What new Asian film projects will HAF21 showcase?

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HAF21 Will Showcase 28 In-Development and 15 Work-in-Progress Projects

The 21st Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF21) will present a diverse slate of 28 in-development projects and 15 work-in-progress projects, representing a significant showcase of Asian cinema. These selected projects were chosen from a total of 244 submissions originating from 38 countries and regions, highlighting the global reach and appeal of the forum. The event, returning as a physical gathering for the first time since 2019, will take place from March 13-15 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Diverse Genres and Filmmaker Participation

The in-development projects span a wide array of genres, including horror, fantasy, romance, family drama, and animation, reflecting the varied storytelling interests within the region. Among the selected projects are those from established filmmakers and producers such as Arsalan AMIRI, Anthony CHEN, Fruit CHAN, Jakrawal NILTHAMRONG, LIN Yu-Hsien, NAI An, Nader SAEIVAR, Teddy Robin, and TIAN Zhuangzhuang. Notably, the lineup also features 14 projects directed by first-time filmmakers, underscoring HAF's commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
Focus on Debut Directors and Established Actors

The 15 work-in-progress projects include a strong contingent of eight feature debuts, further emphasizing the platform's role in introducing new voices. These projects, along with the in-development slate, feature a roster of emerging and established actors from across Asia, including Fish Liew, Austin Lin, Ma Chih-Hsiang, Matsuda Ryuhei, Wang Xuebing, Wu Kang-Ren, and Zu Feng. Renowned filmmakers like Stanley Kwan, Mai Meksawan, and Ram Krishna Pokharel are also involved in these projects as producers.
HAF Film Lab and Thematic Project Highlights

A significant portion of the showcased projects have roots in the HAF Film Lab, a program designed to support new and emerging Chinese-language filmmakers. Eight projects from the Film Lab alumni will be presented, including TANG Peiyan's A Better Tomorrow, Frankie LEE's Kapok, and YEUNG Leung-chuen's The Only Way Out. The selection also includes projects exploring personal experiences and literary adaptations, such as LI Dongmei's The Fruit and Norris WONG's The Mermaid's Tale. Themes of love and scams are prominent in projects like Jevons AU's A Divorce and LAI Kuo-An's Family of Crooks.
International and Debut Work-in-Progress Projects

HAF21 also features a range of non-Chinese language projects, such as Praveen MORCHHALE's White Snow and Nader SAEIVAR's The Witness, alongside several debut work-in-progress films like Peng Tzu-Hui and Wang Ping-Wen's A Journey in Spring and Ma Xiang's The Actor. The work-in-progress section, introduced in 2017 for projects seeking completion funding and distribution, will include films with strong female leads, such as Liang Ming's Carefree Days, and male-driven narratives like Su Hung-En's Hunter Brothers.

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What new Asian film projects will HAF21 showcase?

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