17 March 2025 (Hong Kong) – The 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF49) will open on 10 April with the world premiere of Nakashima Tetsuya’s family drama The Brightest Sun, alongside Pavane for an Infant, directed by Malaysian filmmaker Chong Keat-aun.
The 12-day festival will conclude on 21 April with Dream (Sex Love), directed by Dag Johan Haugerud, winner of the Golden Bear for Best Film at last month’s Berlinale.
Today, the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) unveiled the complete HKIFF49 programme at a star-studded media event during FILMART, showcasing nearly 200 films from 69 countries and regions. Festival ambassador Angela Yuen, Filmmaker-in-Focus Louis Koo, and various filmmakers and cast members were in attendance, including Chong Keat-aun, Fish Liew, Natalie Hsu, and Ben Yuen from Pavane for an Infant; Oliver Chan, Hedwig Tam, and Siuyea Lo from Montages of a Modern Motherhood; Jeffrey Lam, Antonio Tam, George Au, Sheena Chan, and Summer Chan from Valley of the Shadow of Death; and Rikki Choy and Miney Ye from Never Too Late.
HKIFF49 will feature more than 300 screenings, including six world premieres, two international premieres, and 52 Asian premieres. Renowned international filmmakers such as Leos Carax, Albert Serra, Juho Kuosmanen, and Ando Sakura will join the festival to present their works and interact with audiences personally.
Building on the success of the previous edition, American Express has returned as the Official Payment Partner of HKIFF49. American Express is offering a suite of privileges for eligible Cardmembers to enjoy the endless joy brought by films, including priority booking with 30% savings on HKIFF49 regular-priced tickets.
As part of an ongoing effort to make cinema accessible and affordable to the public, HKIFF49 will continue to offer a discounted fare of $28 to full-time Hong Kong students, senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and one minder, and CSSA recipients, and free community screenings.
The complete HKIFF49 programme and screening schedule are available on HKIFF’s official website (www.hkiff.org.hk). Tickets will go on sale at 10 am on Tuesday, 28 March, through all URBTIX outlets.
