JAFF to Spotlight Hong Kong Cinema with ann Hui Retrospective and New works
The Jakarta Asian Film Festival (JAFF) is presenting a dedicated showcase of Hong Kong cinema, featuring works from veteran director Ann Hui alongside contemporary films and shorts, in collaboration with the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA). The program commemorates JAFF’s 20th anniversary and builds upon a 2023 partnership with AFAA, an organization established by the Busan, Hong Kong, and Tokyo international film festivals to promote Asian cinema internationally.
The showcase includes two newly restored 4K versions of Hui’s films: “A Simple Life” (2011) and “July Rhapsody” (2002), and also Man Lim Chung’s documentary “keep Rolling,” which explores Hui’s filmmaking process. Additional features include Tommy Kai Chung Ng’s “Another World,” winner of the 2025 Golden Horse Award for best animated feature; Robin Lee’s documentary “Four Trails,” recipient of best new director at the 2025 Hong Kong Film Awards; John Woo’s action classic “The Killer”; the crime thriller “Sons of the Neon Night”; and the drama ”The Remnant.” A compilation of short films will feature two works by Ivan Cheung, a participant in the AFAA International Film Camp: “The Apple of My Eye” and “Tomatoes Are Poisonous.”
“JAFF’s collaboration with AFAA represents the change of Asian cinema through a selection of curated Hong Kong films lineup, which continues to evolve through various challenges, while reflecting on what can be learned from the journeys by filmmakers across generations and genres,” said Alexander Matius, JAFF program director. Filmmakers Lee, Mandrew Kwan Man Hin, Quist Tsang, and Cheung will participate in post-screening Q&A sessions, and will join Chung at the JAFF Community Forum.
The program is supported financially by Hong Kong’s Creative Cultural Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, with additional backing from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Jakarta. The festival’s market component, the JAFF Market, is currently running through December 1.