The 2024 Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum awards saw a fair distribution of honors, with no film project winning more than two prizes. Among the standout projects was Zhang Zhongchen's 'The Land is Our Navel' from China, which earned a spot at Cannes along with four other projects. Upamanyu Bhattacharya's 'Heirloom' from India and Oliver Chan Siu-kuen's 'Montages of a Modern Motherhood' from Hong Kong were also selected for Cannes, showcasing a diverse range of storytelling.
At the awards ceremony, a total of $223,000 in awards were presented to deserving projects. The event featured 47 selected projects out of 460 submissions, with an impressive 1,150 meetings arranged for the participants, setting a new record for the market.
Several awards were handed out, including the HCG Award, Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF) Award, Udine Focus Asia Award, La Fonte X INBETWEEN Award, Project D Award, White Light Post-Production Award, and more, recognizing excellence in various categories.
Notable winners included 'The Vampire of Sheung Shui' from Hong Kong, 'White Flowers and Fruits' from Japan, and 'The Sichuan Culinary Chronicles: In Four Chapters' from China and Hong Kong. These projects stood out for their creativity and vision, earning them prestigious accolades.
The HAF Goes to Cannes Program provided five projects, including 'Admission,' 'Heirloom,' 'Intimate Encounter,' 'The Land is Our Navel,' and 'Montages of a Modern Motherhood,' with market screening opportunities at Cannes in 2024, further showcasing the talent and innovation present at the forum.
Other awards such as the Taipei Film Commission Award, TAICCA Award, AimMedia Award, CCG Grand Award, IDP Award, and WIP Award recognized outstanding contributions in filmmaking, offering cash prizes and opportunities for further development.
The event highlighted the vibrant and diverse landscape of Asian cinema, celebrating the creativity and dedication of filmmakers from across the region. The awards ceremony was a testament to the growing influence and importance of the Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum in the global film industry.
