JAFF and the Asian Film Awards Academy Collaborate to Showcase Hong Kong Cinema
The Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) is joining forces with the Asian Film Awards Academy for a second consecutive year to present a special Hong Kong film program. This showcase will feature renowned director Ann Hui and works spanning multiple generations of Hong Kong filmmakers.
Taking place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from November 30 to December 4, the event is titled 'Together We Dare to Direct'. It will include a masterclass with Hui, one of Asia's most influential female directors, alongside screenings of nine feature films and four short films representing different eras of Hong Kong cinema.
This program marks the 20th anniversary of JAFF and builds on the festival's successful collaboration with the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) in 2023. AFAA is a non-profit organization founded by the Busan, Hong Kong, and Tokyo international film festivals to promote Asian cinema globally.
"JAFF's collaboration with AFAA showcases the evolution of Asian cinema through a carefully curated selection of Hong Kong films," said Alexander Matius, JAFF program director. "It reflects the journeys of filmmakers across generations and genres, offering valuable insights and inspiration."
Two of Hui's films, 'A Simple Life' (2011) and 'July Rhapsody' (2002), will be screened in newly restored 4K. The lineup also includes Man Lim Chung's documentary 'Keep Rolling,' which explores Hui's creative process. Other notable films include Tommy Kai Chung Ng's 'Another World,' winner of the 2025 Golden Horse Award for best animated feature, and Robin Lee's 'Four Trails,' which won best new director at the 2025 Hong Kong Film Awards.
The showcase also features John Woo's action classic 'The Killer,' the crime thriller 'Sons of the Neon Night,' and the drama 'The Remnant.' The short film compilation includes works by Ivan Cheung, a participant in the AFAA International Film Camp: 'The Apple of My Eye' and 'Tomatoes Are Poisonous.'
The filmmakers will participate in Q&A sessions and the JAFF Community Forum, offering insights into their creative processes. The program receives financial support from Hong Kong's Creative Cultural Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, with additional backing from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta.
The JAFF Market, the festival's market component, runs through December 1, providing a platform for industry professionals to connect and collaborate.
