The accessibility and international reach of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s (HKTDC) FILMART exhibition have made it a must-attend forum for Filipino producers and filmmakers, and turned Hong Kong into “a key gateway for advancing Philippine content in the global marketplace.”
This is according to Jose Javier Reyes, Chairman and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), which has been participating in the region’s premier film and video trade exhibition for 10 years.
Over this time, the film body - representing over 1,200 Philippine filmmakers and over 100 production companies - has been joined by a steadily growing number of Philippine production companies, using FILMART to promote their latest releases and pursue international distribution and sales collaboration.
Now in its 30th edition, FILMART attracts producers and creators from across the region, including a strong contingent from the Philippines. The FDCP supported such producers’ participation on an individual basis and also attended the fair as part of its market scoping efforts.
This approach evolved in 2016, when the organisation made the strategic decision to mount a dedicated pavilion bringing together Filipino producers keen to land international distribution deals and supporting creators taking part in the concurrent Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum, co-organised by the HKTDC.
The move delivered immediate benefits. The pavilion helped the FDCP address issues faced by individual participants, such as inadequate preparation, unfamiliar deal structures and evolving content trends.
Through co-ordinated measures such as pre-departure briefings and setting minimum selection criteria for participating companies, the film body was able to present a credible and unified proposition to global distributors.
This approach not only maximised the impact achieved by each company, but also enhanced external perceptions of the nation’s film industry.
Since then, the Philippines’ presence at the event has grown substantially. In 2025, the FDCP hosted 18 production companies at the Philippines Pavilion – double the number recorded the previous year.
“This growth signals both heightened industry readiness and the effectiveness of FDCP’s targeted market support and selection mechanisms through FILMART,” observed Mr Reyes.
The HKTDC’s strong partnership with the film body played a pivotal role in helping participating companies secure deals and generate attention. For example, the Filipino-language thriller Moonglow, directed by filmmaker and actor Isabel Sandoval, received an invitation to take part in the 2025 Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum, co-organised by the HKTDC.
These initiatives helped the organisation deliver a significant expansion in the business pipeline for its delegation companies.
“Overall, the growth in both participation and business potential highlights FILMART’s increasing value as a strategic gateway for elevating the visibility and competitiveness of Philippine content within Asia’s leading content and project marketplace,” said Mr Reyes.
Looking ahead, the growth of cross-border productions – driven by increasing fluidity in film financing and production incentives – has positioned FILMART as a vital hub for Asia’s creators to explore and develop co-production projects.
Philippine companies, in particular, are keen to tap into this potential.
Danzen Santos Katanyag, producer at Digital Dreams International and exhibitor in 2025, praised FILMART’s value beyond showcasing and knowledge-sharing. “FILMART opened meaningful opportunities to connect with potential partners, particularly from Thailand and Malaysia, strengthening our regional network and paving the way for future co-production and distribution collaborations,” he said.
Mr Reyes expressed strong enthusiasm about the FDCP’s return to the event – as it is not only one of its major overseas promotional platforms of the year, but also a pillar in the organisation’s long-term strategic vision.“Hong Kong has proven to be the hub for Asian cinema, cutting across genres, platforms and innovative developments. The FDCP hopes not only to be part of this forward thrust, but to help define the character and potential of a truly Asian cinema,” he concluded.The 30th FILMART will be held from 17 to 20 March 2026 and will feature hundreds of exhibitors from the film, television, animation, digital entertainment and music industries. In 2025, the event was attended by over 7,600 industry practitioners from 42 countries and regions.