Asian Short film Fund 35,000 USD Prize

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The Hong Kong International Film Festival Fund offers a funding opportunity for short film creation. the amount of the grant is 35000 dollars.  Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) and NOWNESS Asia, a subsidiary of Meta Media Group, have launched the Asian Short Film Fund (ASFF).

The ASFF invites aspiring directors and producers to submit short film proposals from 7 May to 15 June 2025. Three selected projects will receive up to US$35,000 in funding, mentorship from experienced Asian filmmakers, and support for script development and production. The completed films will premiere at the 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF50) in 2026.

10 shortlisted projects will participate in an online open-pitch session in early August. Following the pitch, representatives from three selected projects will be invited to attend one-on-one meetings with the mentors, with the results announced later that month.

Submission

  • Applicants must complete the online application form(https://asff.hafapplication.com), which includes the following:;

    1. Story Synopsis (30 English words / 60 Chinese characters);
      2.          Story Outline (100 English words / 150 Chinese characters);
      3.          Director’s Statement (100 words in English; 150 words in Chinese);
      4.          Director’s Biography and Filmography (100 words in English; 150 words in Chinese);
      5.          Producer/Executive Producer’s biography and filmography (100 words in English; 150 words in Chinese);
      6.          Treatment (500 words in English; 1000 words in Chinese);
      7.          Budget overview;
      8.          Full script (for narrative and animated narrative proposals only);
      9.          Storyboard / Visual references / Character designs / Style references (for animation proposals only);
      10.       Thematic statement / Subject references / Creative Concept (for documentary proposals only);
      11.        Expression Approach / Concept Statement (for experimental proposals only);
      12.        Links to previous representative works (streaming links only; up to 3 may be submitted. All links must remain active through December 31, 2025. Passwords must be provided if access is restricted).

The fund

Three selected projects will receive up to 35,000 USD in funding, mentorship from experienced Asian filmmakers, and support for script development and production. The completed films will premiere at the 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF50) in 2026. ASFF will provide round-trip travel (home country–Hong Kong) and hotel accommodation for one representative of each selected project based outside Hong Kong.

Asian Short Film Fund 2025 application guidelines

Deadline: 15 June 2025

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