Film enthusiasts, mark your calendars and prepare your popcorn! The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) is back for its dazzling 48th edition, kicking off today, March 28th, and continuing through the excitement until April 8th, 2024. This year’s festival is especially momentous—it marks the triumphant return to an exclusively in-person cinematic celebration, the first since the world was gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic.
With an impressive lineup of around 200 films, the festival will regale audiences with more than 300 screenings, encompassing a splendid variety of cinematic treasures. From avant-garde new releases that push the boundaries of storytelling to beautifully restored classics that capture the timeless magic of film, this edition of HKIFF promises to be a feast for cinephiles.
HKIFF48 ticket sales are already online, and you can book at the ticket office.
Discover the Highlights of HKIFF48: Ray Yeung’s “All Will Be Well,” Miyake Sho’s “All the Long Nights,” and More
Opening Film: All Will be Well
Ray Yeung’s “All Will Be Well” has been selected as the opening film for the 48th Hong Kong International Film Festival. Building on the success of “Suk Suk,” the film delves into the poignant story of Hong Kong’s often overlooked LGBTQ+ community. This bittersweet tale revolves around late-in-life emancipation and stars the talented Patra Au Ga-man, Maggie Li Lin-lin, Tai Bo, and Hui So-ying.
The narrative follows the journey of an aging same-sex couple who, after being together for decades, face a sudden crisis when one of them passes away. With the absence of legal protection for same-sex couples, the surviving partner, Angie, finds herself at risk of losing everything in her twilight years. This powerful and emotional storyline promises to captivate audiences and shed light on the real challenges faced by many in the LGBTQ+ community.
The first screening of All Will Be Well is scheduled at 28KG01 7:15 PM in Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre (KG).
Closing Film: All the Long Nights
Miyake Sho’s evocative slice-of-life masterpiece, “All the Long Nights,” has been chosen as the festival’s closing film. This compelling film, an adaptation of Seo Maiko’s captivating novel, stars the talented Matsumura Hokuto and Kamishiraishi Mone.
Official synopsis: Misa (Kamishiraishi Mone) suffers from an extreme case of pre-menstrual syndrome. This leads to complications at work, and she soon finds herself in a new environment, working on astronomy sets at a small company. There, she meets Takatoshi (SixTONES’ Matsumura Hokuto) – a laconic young man prone to panic attacks. In the face of their similar predicaments, a connection blossoms.
The first screening of All the Long Nights is scheduled at 07KG02 8:30 PM in Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre (KG).
Also, Read: Cannes 2024: Jacques Audiard, Andrea Arnold, Cronenberg, and More Contenders—Stars and Films Lined Up for the Prestigious Festival
