The 30th Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) and EntertainmentPulse, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully on March 20, 2026, drawing about 8,000 industry professionals from 53 countries and regions. The four-day events featured over 790 exhibitors from a record 38 countries and regions, including emerging markets such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as mature markets like Canada, France, Italy, Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This diverse participation underscores Hong Kong's position as a center for cultural and artistic exchange and a pivotal hub for the global film and television industry.
FILMART continues to demonstrate its role as one of the region's most influential film and television trading platforms, facilitating cross-regional collaboration and business opportunities. First-time exhibitors highlighted the event's effectiveness in expanding international networks. Timothy Oh, General Manager of COL International Group from Singapore, noted, "I am meeting friends and new business partners from Turkey, the UK, the US, and even Brazil. Hong Kong's role as an international hub helps create a bustling market with many business opportunities for those looking at innovation and what's next." Similarly, Sachitha Kalingamudali of Mogo Studios from Sri Lanka stated that FILMART exceeded expectations, while Myanmar's aTwentyThree used the event as its first move to explore the international market, connecting with distributors from the US and Europe.
Overseas buyers also praised the business matching effectiveness and content diversity. Bizhan Tong, a buyer from the UK, commented, "FILMART continues to be one of the most effective platforms globally for driving cross-border collaboration. This year we formed a new strategic partnership with MOFAC, advanced multiple projects, and saw tangible co-investment and co-production opportunities." The AI Hub was a highlight, showcasing leading AI and technology companies and helping Mainland tech firms accelerate overseas expansion. Zhihan Zhang, Founder and CEO of Daogu Culture Limited, remarked, "Whether it is AI animation, short dramas, or digital humans, the key to the future lies in global strategy. FILMART gathers global industry professionals, facilitates connections, and enables us to understand client needs." The newly established "AI Academy" offered 19 workshops equipping professionals with hands-on AI skills.
Producers Connect, jointly organized by the HKSAR’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the Hong Kong Film Development Council, and HKTDC, united over 100 producers from Hong Kong and worldwide. Through networking sessions and panels, it strengthened connections and explored co-production models. Golden Globe-winning producer Janet Yang observed, "The world is getting flatter, language is mattering less and less to audiences everywhere." Producer and director Peter Chan added, "What you try to do is diversify your investors and partners into different regions." EntertainmentPulse and the Digital Entertainment Summit featured 48 forums covering AI, streaming strategies, short dramas, and financing trends. Justin Deimen of Goldfinch International noted, "We need to allocate more resources towards creative IP valuation. If you cannot value something, you cannot invest in it." The FILMART Online IP Catalogue, featuring over 2,200 creative IP projects, extends the networking platform until April 27, further consolidating Hong Kong's position as Asia's film and entertainment trading hub. For more information, visit FILMART and EntertainmentPulse.
