The Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 will take place from 15 March to 19 April, serving as a vital platform connecting innovators and industry leaders across the global film and entertainment industries. The Expo spans four major fields - film, television, music and digital entertainment - bringing together eight flagship events to foster exchanges among local, Asian and international practitioners. International stars, renowned directors and leading industry figures will gather, further strengthening cross-regional exchange in film and entertainment culture.
Spearheaded by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) with sponsorship from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the Film Development Fund, and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, this year's Expo features eight major events. The kick-off ceremony on 17 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre will mark the 30th edition of the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) and the 50th edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF).
The 30th edition of FILMART, organized by the HKTDC, will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 17 to 20 March, bringing together more than 790 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions. More than 30 regional pavilions will represent Chinese Mainland and international markets, including mature film markets such as France, Italy, Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States, and ASEAN members. This diverse participation demonstrates FILMART's role as Asia's leading entertainment content marketplace and a vital catalyst for global cultural exchange.
A significant development this year is the expanded AI Hub, organized by the HKTDC and co-organized by the Association of Motion Picture Post Production Professionals. The hub brings together leading artificial intelligence and technology companies including Alibaba Cloud, Kling AI, MiniMax, and Vidu, alongside local academic institutions. The newly launched AI Academy, funded by CCIDA and the Film Development Fund, will host over 15 thematic workshops demonstrating how to leverage AI tools to efficiently produce high quality film and animation content and streamline production workflows.
The 50th edition of HKIFF will take place from 1 to 12 April, adopting the theme "50 and Beyond: Framing the Future" to celebrate both the festival's rich heritage and its commitment to innovation. A special exhibition, "50 and Beyond: The Hong Kong International Film Festival Golden Jubilee Exhibition", will be held at Hong Kong City Hall, showcasing HKIFF's half-century contribution to film art and cultural dialogue. The festival will collaborate with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra to present the Asian premiere of "In the Mood for Love in Concert".
The 15th Digital Entertainment Summit, organized by the HKTDC with co-organization from the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association and MarketingPulse & eTailingPulse, will take place on 19 March as a FILMART flagship event. Under the theme "Animation Without Borders: Creating, Financing and Expanding Animation IP Worldwide", the Summit will feature panel discussions taking a deep dive into how the animation industry can expand its global footprint through intellectual property innovation, strategic investment, and cross-border collaboration.
EntertainmentPulse, organized by the HKTDC, will be held concurrently with FILMART, gathering global film and television industry leaders to provide insights into trending topics including artificial intelligence, video streaming, financing and investment, micro-short dramas, co-productions, and animation. For the financing session, experts including Bennett Pozil, Head of Corporate Banking at East West Bank, and Catherine Ying, President of CMC Pictures and Pearl Studio (China), will analyze banking considerations, private financing strategies, and film project capitalisation approaches.
The 24th Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) will take place from 17 to 19 March, featuring 42 shortlisted projects from 22 countries and regions. Notably, 13 projects are animation and genre entries, reflecting a rich spectrum of storytelling that highlights the dynamism and diversity of Asian filmmaking. All shortlisted projects will be presented alongside FILMART during HAF, enabling project teams to engage directly with industry professionals to advance both regional and international partnerships.
The Expo's comprehensive approach positions Hong Kong as a critical nexus for business and technology leaders in entertainment, particularly through its integration of artificial intelligence into production workflows and its facilitation of cross-border financing and collaboration. The convergence of these elements creates significant opportunities for industry professionals seeking to leverage emerging technologies and expand into Asian markets while contributing to the global evolution of entertainment content creation and distribution.
