Submissions to the 3rd Hong Kong On Screen Film Festival are open until July 1, 2025.
HKOSFF 2025 is seeking innovative, original, and thought-provoking films that are “by,” “about,” or “for” the Hong Kong community worldwide.
IMPORTANT: Submissions must fulfill at least ONE of the following criteria.
1. One of the main creative talents (director, writer, producer, lead actor/actress) must be a Hongkonger. “HongKonger” is defined as an HKSAR passport holder, a British National Overseas (BNO) passport holder, a British Overseas Citizen passport holder, a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card holder, an HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes holder, OR a descendant from a “HongKonger” as defined above.
2. The speaking language of the film is primarily or predominantly Cantonese.
3. The shooting location is Hong Kong.
4. The film’s story is about Hong Kong.
If your submissions do not fulfill at least one of the above criteria, they will not be considered. Thank you for your understanding.
We will be primarily programming short films through open submissions, but if you have a feature, feel free to submit it for consideration.
Submission films must have been created from January 1, 2022, or later.
There are no premiere/prior distribution requirements.
Please submit your films through FilmFreeway. Submissions and screening links sent directly to Festival Programmers’ inboxes will not be reviewed. We also cannot accept films submitted on physical media.
A separate submission is required for each film if you submit multiple entries.
We are a nascent, 100% volunteer-based nonprofit organization, and submission fees have already been adjusted to as low as possible. We regrettably CANNOT offer any waivers or discount codes.
By submitting your film, you are providing HKOSFF a nonexclusive, limited license to use segments of your film (including trailers/film posters/press kits/teasers) for promotional purposes. Digital media from invited entries must be sent to the Festival prepaid on a date determined before the Festival.
HKOSFF may screen accepted entries during the festival dates (August 2025) at any of our exhibition venues. Selected films will be screened in the section determined most appropriate at the discretion of the Festival Programmers. By submitting your film, you recognize that the festival may select to screen your film in person or virtually and confirm that all rights related to public screenings of your film have been cleared. We are not liable for any legal disputes arising from your film’s public exhibition.
If your film is invited to screen at HKOSFF, it must be subtitled in English (even if the movie is in English). The filmmaker is responsible for providing subtitles for their exhibition file and promotional screeners. HKOSFF is not responsible for subtitles. Films without subtitles will not be included in the Festival lineup.
Submissions DO NOT guarantee selection.
Official Selections will be announced on our website, social media platforms, and with partners.
Films CANNOT be withdrawn from the festival program after being selected.
All selection decisions are final at the sole and absolute discretion of HKOSFF programmers.
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Submission Categories
Applicants must classify their film under one of the following categories. The Festival Programmers reserve the right to reclassify the film into the various sections of the festival program. New sections may be created based on the type of content the festival receives.
Narrative Short
Any scripted work of fiction with a running time of 30 minutes or fewer. If the film is a narrative-documentary hybrid, please submit it under this category. Films must be “by,” “about,” or “for” the Hong Konger community around the world.
Documentary Short
Any non-fiction work with a running time of 30 minutes or fewer. Scripted reenactments within the film are acceptable. Films must be “by,” “about,” or “for” the Hong Konger community around the world.
Cinema Musica (Music videos, music-centered narratives, and documentaries)
A video that integrates an existing song with visual imagery with a running time 30 minutes or fewer. Rights for the music must be cleared ahead of any festival exhibition. Films must be “by,” “about,” or “for” the Hong Konger community around the world.
Children / Youth Shorts
Any film with a running time of 30 minutes or fewer that is children/family-friendly. Films must be “by,” “about,” or “for” the Hong Konger community around the world.
Narrative Features
Any scripted work of fiction with a running time of 31 minutes or more. If the film is a narrative-documentary hybrid, please submit it under this category. Films must be “by,” “about,” or “for” the Hong Konger community around the world.
Documentary Features
Any non-fiction work with a running time of 31 minutes or more. Scripted reenactments within the film are acceptable. Films must be “by,” “about,” or “for” the Hong Konger community around the world.
Please enter your film ONCE into the category most suitable for your movie. HKOSFF programmers will consider the submission for another program category if suitable.
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Timeline
A signed entry form and screener must be submitted via FilmFreeway by July 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Upon acceptance to HKOSFF, the following is required:
- A press kit containing a brief synopsis in English, three hi-res film stills (300 dpi, CMYK or RGB color), and a digital trailer with English subtitles.
- A DCP of your film and another backup copy in H.264 with a file size smaller than 10 GB. Exhibition copies of accepted films must be received by July 24, 2025.
Submitters will be notified of entry status by mid-July 2025. Judges’ decisions are final. Due to the anticipated volume of submissions, feedback on individual films will not be provided.
Awards will be given for excellence in form and content. The Festival curators will determine which accepted submissions will be nominated to be considered for an award. Feedback will not be provided.
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Liability
Signatory of the applicant grants HKOS permission to screen the aforementioned work at HKOSFF if accepted and warrants that all necessary steps have been taken to obtain the rights to use, exhibit, and display the work. The signatory also permits HKOS to solicit and use stills, excerpts, and other materials from such accepted work for promotional purposes.
The applicant has secured all necessary rights for both picture and sound. Accordingly, the exhibition will not violate or infringe upon any rights, including but not limited to music, images, and content.
If selected for the Festival, the applicant acknowledges and agrees that an exhibition-quality digital screening file must be made available for screening by the event date.
The film, including all copyrights, remains the property of the author.
The organizer is not liable (unless grossly negligent) for any inaccurate or flawed screenings or information.
The applicant must read and agree to the regulations and guidelines for participation.
