The 30th Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) and EntertainmentPulse opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, running through March 20. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the event forms part of the broader Entertainment Expo Hong Kong and marks both the 30th edition of FILMART and the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF). This dual milestone underscores Hong Kong's sustained position as a critical hub for the global film and entertainment industry.
The significance of this year's event lies in its unprecedented scale and international reach. FILMART has attracted a record 790 exhibitors from 38 countries and regions, with business visitors from approximately 50 countries and regions. Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, noted that FILMART has grown into "the world-recognised leading entertainment content marketplace of Asia." This expansion facilitates crucial global exchange, connecting emerging markets like Belgium, Myanmar, Poland, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan—first-time participants—with established industry players from mainland China, Taiwan, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States, and others.
A major implication of this gathering is the acceleration of cross-border collaboration and market access. The event features 40 forums and activities, including the "Forum on International Communication Cooperation and Innovation for a New Vision" and the "International Short Drama Association 2026 Asian Forum." A key program, Producers Connect, partners with 10 international film institutions to bring together over 100 producers for business matching, specifically designed to foster cross-cultural exchange. A dedicated forum, "International Coproductions in an Evolving Film Industry Landscape," will feature insights from industry leaders like director Peter Chan, producer Janet Yang, and director Anthony Chen, exploring how Hong Kong and Asia can broaden their global development horizons.
Technological innovation, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), represents another critical focus with direct implications for industry transformation. The AI Hub returns with an upgraded scale, showcasing applications from mainland companies like Alibaba Cloud, Kling AI, and MiniMax in areas such as AI-generated content (AIGC) and AI animation. The newly established AI Academy will host 18 thematic workshops to help practitioners navigate AI adoption across the filmmaking process. A panel titled "Human-in-the-Loop: Balancing Cinematic Craft and Generative AI" will examine how filmmakers can harness AI while retaining creative leadership. This concentrated focus on AI provides a platform for mainland technology enterprises to expand globally, as highlighted on the event website http://www.hktdc.com/hkfilmart.
The concurrent EntertainmentPulse forum addresses pressing market issues, including film financing, global expansion of short dramas, and animation IP creation. A session on film financing will feature executives from East West Bank and CMC Pictures, discussing strategies for Asian film projects to enter new markets. Another seminar will examine the international expansion of Chinese short dramas, a fast-growing format. These discussions offer forward-looking insights for industry professionals navigating evolving distribution and monetization models. Further program details are available at https://hkfilmart.hktdc.com/conference/hkfilmart/en/programme.
Furthermore, the event serves as a launchpad for content and deals. Major mainland companies like Tencent Video, Bilibili, iQIYI, and Youku are exhibiting to expand their overseas presence. Hong Kong companies such as Sil-Metropole Organisation and Mei Ah Entertainment will showcase productions using virtual reality and AI. Multiple cooperation agreements will be signed, including a project signing ceremony at the Sichuan Pavilion covering copyright trading. The 24th Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), running alongside FILMART, presents 42 film projects from 22 countries, providing a vital platform for financing and collaboration. The record participation and focused programming at FILMART 2026 solidify its role not just as a marketplace, but as an essential engine for shaping the future of global entertainment through collaboration, technological integration, and access to emerging markets.
