Hong Kong’s Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), which is the region’s leading movie project market, has unveiled the 25 titles selected for its upcoming 2025 edition. The program features films that are in development from some of Asia’s most accomplished directors and producers,
The three-day event, the anchor component of the expanded Hong Kong International Film Festival’s (HKIFF) Industry Project Market, will take place from March 17-19 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre alongside the 29th Hong Kong Filmart.
“Those shortlisted are remarkable for their cultural diversity. They showcase extraordinary storytelling in a broad range of genres, from action to sci-fi, fantasy, suspense, and horror,” HKIFF Industry director Jacob Wong noted in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, adding that the organization had received 276 in-development project submissions from 45 countries and regions,
The Kazakhstan-Tajikistan Besik. Homecoming (Cradle. Homecoming) collaboration, which is categorized as in development, is also among those 25 movies selected for the upcoming HAF 25 scheduled for March 17-19.
The screenplay writer and director of Besik. Homecoming is Tajik filmmaker and screenwriter Iskandar Usmonov.
The film tells the story of Rahim, a cradle maker in Tajikistan, who one day decides to leave for Russia.
Arsen, the director of a Russian cemetery, offers Rahim a job; however, instead of making cradles, he begins crafting coffins.
A war breaks out, and Rahim receives many orders, but Arsen deceives him. Rahim decides to return to his family and dreams of selling more coffins.
Rahim's journey back home stretches over five months, taking him through cities, valleys, mountains, and harsh survival conditions. Eventually, Rahim reaches his home and manages to preserve his human dignity.
The film’s creative team includes producers from Kazakhstan, Turkiye, and France, as well as the renowned Tajik musician and composer Oleg Fesov.
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