‘Hong Kong lacks a prolific independent art and film scene’: festival out to fill void

It takes a lot to put on an independent film festival in Hong Kong - just ask Faiyaz Jafri, who watched every one of the more than 1,800 submissions for next week’s Third Culture Film Festival, the first of its kind in the city.

“I love watching films, so being able to watch 1,800 wasn’t a chore, let me put it that way,” says Jafri, co-founder and curator of the event, which bills itself as the first truly international independent film festival in Hong Kong.

Over three days, the festival will screen 70 films - all but 10 of them Hong Kong premieres and many of them never shown before in Asia.

Jafri adds: “We wanted to show that quality work does not need to conform.”

The films have been grouped into six sections according to their themes: Love and Confusion; Fairytales & Dystopia; Animation, It’s not Disney; The Realm of the Senses; The Darkness; and Food, Family, Kids, Parents.

The festival will be held from April 15 to 17 at Loft 22, California Tower, Lan Kwai Fong. As well as film screenings, there will be lectures and networking activities for film enthusiasts and artists, and 20 awards will be presented.

“I’m really proud of this festival and looking forward to sharing these films with our audience,” says Oram.

From the Love and Confusion section:

From The Darkness section:

From the Animation section:

From the Food, Family, Kids, Parents section:

From The Realm of the Senses section:

From the Fairytales and Dystopia section:

Third Culture Film Festival, April 15 to 17, Loft 22 (22/F California Tower, 32 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central). Buy tickets here