Hong Kong, 5 March 2012 ― The Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), one of Asia’s most important film-financing platforms, will celebrate its milestone 10th anniversary in 2012. Attended by some 1,000 filmmakers and financiers from around the globe with over 600 private meetings arranged annually, the HAF has helped put together some of Asia’s brightest filmmakers with the finance contacts they needed to realise their projects.
Over the last decade, more than 1,500 projects have been submitted to the HAF reading committee and 263 selected to participate. The number and diversity of projects have expanded greatly since the first HAF. In 2012, the HAF selection of 32 projects is the highest yet, a number that has steadily grown by almost 40% from 23 projects in 2000. Submissions for HAF 2012 were received from 47 countries and regions, and the final selection represents 23 different places of origin, the most in the HAF’s history.
“The HAF is an invaluable opportunity for filmmakers,” says Hong Kong filmmaker Stanley Kwan, who participated in the 2000, 2006 and 2011 HAF. “For financiers, it is not hard at all to get suggestions for projects – quite the opposite. What is difficult for them is finding quality propositions, and the HAF does that work, hunting out the most promising projects from Hong Kong and the rest of Asia. When your project is selected by the HAF, you know that there is a high chance that your project will be financed, making your dream come true.”
Organised by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, the HAF is the ideal venue for investors and producers to discover and invest in emerging Asian talent, offering first-look opportunities at their latest projects. HAF projects have a proven track record – over 50 projects from HAF have been produced and released in worldwide cinemas over the years, with over 200 festival appearances, international festival awards and nominations between them. These achievements attest to both the promising commercial potential and artistic appeal of projects showcased at the Forum.
HAF alumni include filmmaking talents as varied in style and outlook as mainland China’s JIA Jiang-Ke, Hong Kong's Stanley KWAN and Ann HUI, Korea's KIM Jee-woon, PARK Chan-wook, Japan's SABU, NAKATA Hideo, OTANI Kentaro, KORE-EDA Hirokazu and MIIKE Takashi, and Thailand's Yongyoot TJONHKONGTOON, Nonzee NIMIBUTR and Pen-ek RATANARUANG.
“Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale could have been my first feature, but because of the challenges faced in attracting funding, I was only able to make a promotional teaser for it as a project,” says Taiwanese director WEI Te-Sheng. “Thanks to the 2009 HAF, we were able to build up financial connections, and revive Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale. I am sure that the relationships we have built at the HAF will be valuable and beneficial to my future projects too.”
Selection for the HAF has proven a stepping stone to both box-office and critical success. Teddy CHEN of Hong Kong’s film Bodyguards and Assassins (HAF 2003), and Chinese director LU Chuan’s City of Life and Death (HAF 2005) both achieved outstanding box-office returns. HUR Jin-ho’s One Fine Spring Day (HAF 2000) was winner of Best Artistic Contribution, Tokyo International Film Festival 2001, and The Wayward Cloud, by TSAI Ming-liang (HAF 2000) won the Silver Bear for Artistic Contribution at the 2005 Berlin Film Festival. Brillante MENDOZA of the Philippines secured funding for his film Kinatay at HAF 2009 and went on to win the Best Director award, two months later, at that year’s Cannes Film Festival.
“Looking back over the history of the HAF, we can be very proud of what we have achieved so far,” says Roger Garcia, Executive Director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society. “The success of HAF projects, like Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale, which has been nominated for the 6th Asian Film Awards that will take place on 19 March, and already took five prizes at the 2011 Golden Horse Awards, proves that the HAF is a recipe for success, past, present and future.”
The 10th HAF will take place at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19-21 March 2012. For more details of HAF’s past accomplishments, please visit the HAF official site www.haf.org.hk.
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About Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF)
The Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) is widely recognised as the most important film-financing platform in Asia. The HAF brings Asian filmmakers with upcoming film projects to Hong Kong for co-production ventures with top film financiers, producers, bankers, distributors and buyers. Attracting more than 1,000 filmmakers and financiers from at least 35 countries and regions, around 30 projects are selected annually to participate in the three-day event.
Past participants include China's JIA Jiangke, JIANG Wen and NING Hao; Hong Kong's Peter CHAN, Stanley KWAN, Ann HUI, Fruit CHAN and PANG Ho-cheung; Taiwan's TSAI Ming-Liang, WEI Te-Sheng and Leon DAI; Japan's KORE-EDA Hirokazu, KUROSAWA Kiyoshi and IWAI Shunji; South Korea's PARK Chan-wook, KIM Jee-woon, BONG Joon-ho and IM Sang-soo; as well as Thailand's Ekachai UEKRONGTHAM, Nonzee NIMIBUTR and Pen-ek RATANARUANG.
About The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited (HKIFFS)
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited (HKIFFS) is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organisation dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film. Through its year-round programmes, the mission of the Society is to strengthen global appreciation of Chinese film culture and to promote inspiring films from around the world, enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong. Committed to the development of a vibrant film culture in Hong Kong and Asia, the Society organises three annual flagship events in March and April: the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), the Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) and the Asian Film Awards (AFA).
Passionately believing in the power of films to unite cultures and generations, the HKIFFS is devoted to giving thousands of film lovers around the region direct access to the world’s most inspired films all year round.
Media Enquiries
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
Annie YEUNG
Tel: +852-2578-2815
E-mail: ayeung@waggeneredstrom.com
Kirby WONG
Tel: +852-2907-8810
E-mail: kirbyw@waggeneredstrom.com
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited
Janniefer CHAN
Tel: +852-2102-7362
E-mail: janniefer_chan@hkiff.org.hk
HAF Project Accomplishments
HAF 2011 Projects
PROJECT NAME |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
Intruders (aka Bisperas),
Jeffrey JETURIAN,
The Philippines |
- Vancouver International Film Festival 2011
- Winds of Asia-Middle East Best Asian-Middle Eastern Film Award, Tokyo International Film Festival 2011
- Best Film, Best Performance of an Actress,
Best Performance of a Supporting Actress,
Best Cinematography and Best Production Design,
Directors Showcase,
Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2011
|
Vasco Da Gama (aka Urumi),
Santosh SIVAN,
India |
- Busan International Film Festival 2011
- Commercial release in 2011
|
HAF 2010 Projects
| PROJECT NAME |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
Floating Lives,
NGUYEN Phan Quang Binh,
Vietnam |
- Opening Film, Vietnam International Film Festival 2010
- In competition, Busan International Film Festival 2010
|
HAF 2009 Projects
| PROJECT NAME |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
Choi Voi
(aka Adrift,
originally titled Vertigo),
BUI THAC Chuyen,
Vietnam |
- Three nominations, Asian Film Awards 2010
- International Film Festival Rotterdam 2010
- FIPRESCI Prize, Orizzonti, Venice Film Festival 2009
- Toronto International Film Festival 2009
- Busan International Film Festival 2009
|
Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale
(originally titled
Seediq Bale),
WEI Te-Sheng,
Taiwan |
- Best Feature Film, Best Supporting Actor,
Best Original Film Score, Best Sound Effects and
Audience Choice Award, Golden Horse Awards 2011
- Hong Kong Asian Film Festival 2011
- Taiwan’s entry for Best Foreign Film, Academy Awards 2011
- In competition, Venice Film Festival 2011
- Busan International Film Festival 2011
- Toronto International Film Festival 2011
- Commercial release in September 2011
|
Kinatay
(aka The Execution of P),
Brillante MENDOZA,
The Philippines |
- Best Director, Cannes Film Festival 2009
- Best Director and Best Original Soundtrack,
Sitges-Catalonia International Film Festival 2009
- Busan International Film Festival 2009
- Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2009
|
Winter Vacation,
LI Hongqi,
China |
- International Film Festival Rotterdam 2011
- Red Chameleon Award,
Cinema Digital Seoul Film Festival 2010
- Golden Leopard Award, Locarno Film Festival 2010
- Open Doors, Locarno Film Festival 2009
- In competition, Vancouver International Film Festival 2010
|
GENPIN
(originally titled
And Protect, Protected),
KAWASE Naomi
(aka Mamori, Mamorete),
Japan |
- Toronto International Film Festival 2010
- Paris Project 2009
|
The Yellow Sea
(aka The Murderer),
NA Hong-jin,
South Korea |
- Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival 2011
- Best Actor, Asian Film Awards 2011
- No. 1 holiday weekend box office in South Korea, 2010
|
The Dancer
(aka Sang Penari),
Ifa ISFANSYAH,
Indonesia |
- Commercial release in 2011
|
Sampaguita, National Flower
(originally titled
Sampaguita: Our National Flower’s Journal to Decay),
Francis Xavier PASION,
The Philippines |
- Berlin Film Festival 2011
- In competition, Vancouver International Film Festival 2010
- In competition, Busan International Film Festival 2010
- Special Jury Prize,
The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2010
|
HAF 2008 Projects
| PROJECT NAME |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
Bak-jwi (aka Thirst),
PARK Chan-wook,
South Korea |
- Best Visual Effects, Asian Film Awards 2010
- Jury Prize, Cannes Film Festival 2009
- NETPAC Award, Busan International Film Festival 2009
- Best Supporting Actress and Best Music,
Blue Dragon Awards 2009
- Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2009
|
Karaoke,
Chris CHONG Chan Fui,
Malaysia |
- Best Editor, Asian Film Awards 2010
- Director’s Fortnight, Cannes Film Festival 2009
- Toronto International Film Festival 2009
- Busan International Film Festival 2009
- Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2009
|
Serbis (aka Service),
Brillante MENDOZA,
The Philippines |
- Three nominations and winner of Best Supporting Actress, Asian Film Awards 2009
- Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2009
- In competition, Cannes Film Festival 2008
- Toronto International Film Festival 2008
- Busan International Film Festival 2008
|
Mother,
BONG Joon-ho,
South Korea |
- South Korea's entry for Best Foreign Film,
Academy Awards 2010
- Best Film, Best Actress and Best Screenwriter,
Asian Film Awards 2010
- Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival 2009
- Best Performance by an Actress,
Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2009
- Best Film, Best Supporting Actor and Best Lighting,
Blue Dragon Awards 2009
- Toronto International Film Festival 2009
- Busan International Film Festival 2009
- Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2009
|
Hi-So
(originally titled High Society),
Aditya ASSARAT,
Thailand |
- Hong Kong International Film Festival 2011
- Toyko International Film Festival 2010
- Busan International Film Festival 2010
- Paris Project 2008
|
Juliets
(originally titled Best Draw),
HOU Chi-Jan, SHEN Ko-Shang,
CHEN Yu-Hsun,
Taiwan |
- One nomination at Golden Horse Awards 2010
- Opening Film, Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2010
- Tokyo International Film Festival 2010
- Busan International Film Festival 2010
|
HAF 2007 Projects
| PROJECT NAME |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
Mundane History
(originally titled The Sparrow),
Anocha SUWICHAKORNPONG,
Thailand |
- Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2010
- In competition, Vancouver International Film Festival 2010
- VPRO Tiger Award, International Film Festival Rotterdam 2010
- Hong Kong International Film Festival 2010
- Busan International Film Festival 2009
- Opening Film, World Film Festival Bangkok 2009
|
The Good, the Bad,
the Weird,
KIM Jee-woon,
South Korea |
- Eight nominations and winners of the Best Supporting Actor, Asian Film Awards 2009
- Hong Kong International Film Festival 2009
- Cannes Film Festival 2008
- Best Cinematography, Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2008
- Toronto International Film Festival 2008
- Busan International Film Festival 2008
- No. 1 box office in South Korea, 2008
|
Tokyo Sonata,
KUROSAWA Kiyoshi,
Japan / Hong Kong /
The Netherlands |
- Best Film and Best Screenwriter, Asian Film Awards 2009
- Jury Prize, Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival 2008
- Best Film,Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema 2008
- Grand Jury Prize, Chicago International Film Festival 2008
- Toronto International Film Festival 2008
- New York Film Festival 2008
|
At the End of Daybreak,
HO Yu Hang,
Malaysia |
- Best Actress, Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards 2010
- Best Newcomer and Best Supporting Actress,
Asian Film Awards 2010
- NETPAC Award, Locarno Film Festival 2009
- Best Supporting Actress, Golden Horse Awards 2009
- Toronto International Film Festival 2009
- Busan International Film Festival 2009
- Paris Project 2007
|
HAF 2006 Projects
| PROJECT NAME |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
Plastic City,
YU Lik-wai ,
Hong Kong |
- In competition, Venice Film Festival 2008
- Toronto International Film Festival 2008
- Busan International Film Festival 2008
- New Cinema Network, Rome Film Festival 2006
|
Getting Home
(originally titled Air),
ZHANG Yang,
China |
- Winner of the Ecumenical Jury Prize, Berlin Film Festival 2007
|
Help Me Eros
(originally titled Help Me),
LEE Kang-Sheng,
Taiwan |
- Hong Kong International Film Festival 2008
- In competition, Venice Film Festival 2007
- Best Cinematographer, Asian Film Awards 2007
- Grand Prix, Gijon International Film Festival 2007
- Toronto International Film Festival 2007
- Busan International Film Festival 2007
|
Freesia
(originally titled
Freesia-Icy Tears),
KUMAKIRI Kazuyoshi,
Japan |
- International Film Festival Rotterdam 2007
- Hong Kong International Film Festival 2007
|
Ocean Flame
(originally titled
Part Ocean, Part Flame),
LIU Fendou,
China |
- Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival 2008
- Opening Film, Summer IFF 2008, Hong Kong
- Toronto International Film Festival 2008
|
Lovers Vanished
(originally titled
Alright, It’s Still Alright),
CHO Chang-ho,
South Korea |
- Commercial release in 2010
|
Lost in Beijing,
LI Yu,
China |
- In competition, Berlin Film Festival 2007
- Honorable Mention for its script, Tribeca Film Festival
|
HAF 2005 Projects
| PROJECT NAME |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
City of Life and Death
(originally titled
Nanking! Nanking!),
LU Chuan,
China |
- Best Director and Best Cinematographer,
Asian Film Awards 2010
- Best Picture, Best Cinematography and SIGNIS Award,
San Sebastian Film Festival 2009
- Best Cinematography, Golden Horse Awards 2009
- Achievement in Directing and Cinematography,
Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2009
- Toronto International Film Festival 2009
|
The Coffin,
Ekachai UEKRONGTHAM,
Thailand |
- Theatrically released in Asia
|
Meet Mr. Daddy
(originally titled In Your Eyes),
PARK Kwang-su,
South Korea |
- Theatrically released in South Korea
|
Crazy Racer
(originally titled Red Bicycle),
NING Hao,
China |
- New York Asian Film Festival 2010
- Two nominations, Asian Film Awards 2010
- Best Visual Effects and 3 other nominations,
Golden Horse Awards 2009
- Hong Kong International Film Festival 2009
|
The Tin Mine,
Jira MALIGOOL,
Thailand |
- Thailand's entry for Best Foreign Film,
Academy Awards, 2006
- Busan International Film Festival 2005
|
Night and Fog
(originally titled
At the World's End),
Ann HUI,
Hong Kong |
- International Film Festival Rotterdam 2010
- Opening Film, Hong Kong International Film Festival 2009
- Busan International Film Festival 2009
|
McDull, The Alumni,
Samson CHIU,
Hong Kong |
- Sydney International Film Festival 2006
|
Invisible Waves,
Pen-ek RATANARUANG,
Thailand |
- In competition, Berlin Film Festival 2006
- Toronto International Film Festival 2006
- Hong Kong International Film Festival 2006
|
Dragon Tiger Gate,
Wilson YIP,
Hong Kong |
- Best Action Choreography, Golden Bauhinia Awards 2007
- Best Action Choreography and Best Visual Effects nominee,
Hong Kong Film Awards 2007
- Shanghai International Film Festival 2006
|
Love for Share,
Nia DINATA,
Indonesia |
- Indonesia's entry for Best Foreign Film,
Academy Awards 2007
- Hong Kong International Film Festival 2007
- Best Film, Hawaii Film Festival 2006
- In competition, Tribeca Film Festival 2006
- Tokyo International Film Festival 2006
- Cairo International Film Festival 2006
|
Love Talk,
LEE Yoon-ki,
South Korea |
- Busan International Film Festival 2005
|
HAF 2003 Projects
| PROJECT NAME |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
Bodyguards and Assassins
(originally titled
Dark October),
Teddy CHEN,
Hong Kong |
- Nine nominations, Golden Horse Awards 2010
- New York Asian Film Festival 2010
- Closing Film and Audience Award,
Terracotta Far East Film Festival 2010
- Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and other five awards at Hong Kong Film Awards 2010
- Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor,
Asian Film Awards 2010
- Best Chinese Film,Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards 2009
|
Gie,
Riri RIZA,
Indonesia |
- Special Jury Prize,Singapore International Film Festival 2006
- Tiger Award Competition,
International Film Festival Rotterdam 2005
- Busan International Film Festival 2005
|
Soul of a Demon
(originally titled Butterfly),
CHANG Tso-Chi,
Taiwan |
- Panorama, Berlin Film Festival 2008
- Opening Film, Hong Kong International Film Festival 2008
- Busan International Film Festival 2008
|
The Drummer,
Kenneth BI,
Hong Kong / Taiwan / Germany |
- In competition, World Dramatic Section,
Sundance Film Festival 2008
- Two nominations, Hong Kong Film Awards 2008
- Best Supporting Actor, Golden Horse Awards 2007
|
Untold Scandal,
E J-yong,
South Korea |
- Panorama, Berlin Film Festival 2004
- Deauville Asia Film Festival 2004
- New York New Directors Film Festival 2004
- Best Actor and Best Music Awards,
Shanghai International Film Festival 2004
|
Like a Dream,
Clara LAW,
Hong Kong / Australia |
- Opening Film, Hong Kong International Film Festival 2010
- Nine nominations, Golden Horse Awards 2009
|
The Longest Distance (originally titled
The Most Distant Course),
LIN Jing-Jie,
Taiwan |
- Critics’ Week Award, Venice Film Festival 2007
- Opening Film & Special Jury Award,
Taipei Film Festival 2007
|
HAF 2000 Projects
| PROJECT NAME |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
The Guava House,
DANG Nhat Minh,
Vietnam |
- Don Quixote Award and Youth Jury Award,
Locarno Film Festival 2000
- International Film Festival Rotterdam 2000
|
Tears,
IM Sang-soo,
South Korea |
- Berlin Film Festival 2001
- Hong Kong International Film Festival 2001
- FIPRESCI Special Mention,
Busan International Film Festival 2000
|
The Touch,
Peter PAU,
Hong Kong |
- Two nominations, Hong Kong Film Awards 2003
- Hong Kong's entry for Best Foreign Film,
Academy Awards 2003
|
One Fine Spring Day,
HUR Jin-ho,
South Korea |
- Tiger Award Competition,
International Film Festival Rotterdam 2002
- Best Film, Blue Dragon Award
- FIPRESCI Prize, Busan International Film Festival 2001
Best Artistic Contribution,
Tokyo International Film Festival 2001
|
The Wayward Cloud (originally titled
The Wayward Wind),
TSAI Ming-Liang,
Taiwan |
- Silver Bear for Artistic Contribution,
FIPRESCI prize and Alfred Bauer prize,
Berlin Film Festival 2005
- Toronto International Film Festival 2005
- Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival 2005
|
Distance,
KORE-EDA Hirokazu,
Japan |
- International Film Festival Rotterdam 2002
- In competition, Cannes Film Festival 2001
- Toronto International Film Festival 2001
|
All the Way,
SHI Runjiu,
China |
- Tiger Award Competition,
International Film Festival Rotterdam 2001
|
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Download pdf version (HAF Project Accomplishments)
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