Published on
August 17, 2025
The Hong Kong Film Festival UK 2025 invites film lovers to embark on a cinematic journey across London, Manchester and Edinburgh this September and October. Running from September 12 to 28 in London, the festival will present a captivating program of ESEA cinema, celebrating the diverse voices and stories from Hong Kong and its diaspora. Following the London screenings, the festival will tour to Manchester and Edinburgh starting in October 2025. With a rich selection of 52 films, including world premieres and UK premieres, this year’s festival offers an exceptional opportunity to explore the dynamic world of East and Southeast Asian cinema. Highlights include retrospectives, interactive events and powerful works by emerging and established filmmakers. Travel to these vibrant cities and immerse yourself in a festival that challenges, engages and connects audiences through the magic of film.
With a total of 52 titles, including 18 narrative and documentary features and 34 short films, HKFFUK 2025 promises to be an exciting and diverse showcase of cinema from Hong Kong and the broader East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) diaspora. The program includes 2 world premieres and 7 UK premieres, with more than 50% of the films directed by talented women filmmakers of ESEA backgrounds.
The London venues for the festival include renowned cultural spaces such as ICA, Picturehouse Central, The Rio, Close-up Cinema and Theatreship at Canary Wharf. These iconic locations will host screenings, discussions and immersive experiences that will engage the audience in an exploration of ESEA stories and perspectives.
The opening night will feature the UK premiere of Montages of a Modern Motherhood (2024), a deeply empathetic social realist film that sensitively portrays the exhaustion and challenges of new motherhood. It will set the tone for a festival that champions women’s voices and perspectives.
One of the most anticipated highlights is the 10th Anniversary screening of Ten Years (2015), a groundbreaking anthology film that imagines a dystopian Hong Kong in 2025. Banned in China, this film’s exploration of Hong Kong’s uncertain future resonates even more strongly today, offering a compelling reflection on the city’s evolving identity.
Closing the festival is the UK premiere of Clara Law’s Drifting Petals (2021), a Golden-Horse-winning work that reflects on the filmmaker’s memories of Hong Kong and Macau. This poignant self-funded project captures nocturnal journeys on the streets and the intersection of memory and time.
Additional highlights include Lviv Diary (2025), a world premiere by acclaimed Hong Kong documentary filmmaker Tammy Cheung, which provides an intimate look at the war in Ukraine from the perspective of the city of Lviv. The Berlinale-selected Queerpanorama (2025) will also have its UK premiere, offering a tender exploration of queer lives and desires in Hong Kong.
The 2025 edition of HKFFUK places a special emphasis on female filmmakers and diaspora voices, with over half of the program directed by women. Among the featured works are those by renowned filmmakers such as Clara Law, Ellen Pau and Jun Li. The festival also offers a retrospective on Clara Law, one of Hong Kong’s most celebrated filmmakers, showcasing iconic works such as Farewell China and Goddess of 1967.
A key focus of the festival is on transient and transitioning identities, exploring themes such as migration, belonging and the intersection of culture and identity. The festival also underscores the importance of activism, with films that delve into the lives and struggles of marginalized communities, while celebrating the rich tapestry of experiences that make up the ESEA diaspora.
HKFFUK 2025 goes beyond film screenings, offering a range of interactive and immersive events designed to engage audiences on multiple levels. One standout experience is the floating screening of Johnnie To’s The Heroic Trio (1993) on the historic boat Theatreship at Canary Wharf. Other events include workshops, lectures, food experiences and even a walking tour of Brick Lane’s diasporic history.
The festival also features family-friendly short film programs and outdoor screenings at local festivals like the Mid-Autumn Market in Urban Garden Fair, making it a truly inclusive event for people of all ages and backgrounds.
HKFFUK’s mission is to build and bridge the UK’s Hong Kong community through the lens of cinema. By partnering with local venues in London, as well as expanding its reach to other cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh, the festival fosters cultural exchange and encourages dialogue between different communities. The event is supported by key partners such as Amnesty International UK, Queer East and UCL Faculty of Arts and Humanities, is generously funded by the BFI Audience Projects Fund.
Tickets for the festival are now available to purchase via hkff.uk or through the ticketing websites of each venue. Whether you’re in London or planning to attend one of the regional screenings, HKFFUK 2025 offers a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant world of Hong Kong and ESEA cinema.
This year’s festival promises to be a transformative cultural journey, inviting international travellers to witness the powerful stories of East and Southeast Asia. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this celebration of cinema, culture and community.
