China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 118 Week of 14 September 2026
(1) Leslie Cheung 70th Birthday Concert Concluded Successfully; Karen Mok Recreated the 1970s Look in Tribute
The “To Leslie with Love” Concert was held on 12 September at West Kowloon’s AXA x Bamboo Grove Park, with Karen Mok opening the show in a white outfit and red hat that echoed Leslie Cheung’s 1977 Asian Amateur Singing Contest appearance.
(2) Michelle Yeoh Attended TIFF Premiere of New Film The Surgeon
Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh presented two new works at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival: the Chinese-language film It’s My Time and the Hollywood thriller The Surgeon.
(3) Zhang Yimou Named Jury President for Main Competition at Busan International Film Festival
Chinese director Zhang Yimou has been appointed jury president of the main Competition section at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, scheduled to run from 6 to 15 October.
(4) Dead End by Director Lin Lok-hin Selected for Busan; Lokman Yeung, Hedwig Tam and Maggie Shiu to Attend World Premiere
Hong Kong film Dead End, directed and written by Lin Lok-hin and produced by Soi Cheang, has been selected for the Vision–Asia competition section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival and will hold its world premiere there.
(5) Chinese VR Short Film The Pigeon Ring Won Venice Immersive Grand Prize
The Chinese VR short film The Pigeon Ring, directed by Zhang Yuqi and Tao Shixin, won the Venice Immersive Grand Prize, the highest award of the Immersive section, at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
(6) Josie Ho’s The Mage Secured Southeast Asia Distribution; Hong Kong Release Set for 8 October
852 Films announced that CJ ENM Hong Kong has acquired Taiwan and Southeast Asian distribution rights for The Mage. The film will open in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan on 8 October.
(7) Aaron Kwok’s New Film Entered Main Competition at Silk Road International Film Festival
Aaron Kwok’s film IOU, in which he plays a debt collector, has been selected for the main competition “Golden Silk Road Award” at the 13th Silk Road International Film Festival in Xi’an.
(8) Policy Address Promotes “Film + Tourism,” Linking Yau Ma Tei Crime-Film Scenes with Local Night Markets
The 2026 Policy Address set out measures to support Hong Kong’s film industry and promote “Film + Tourism,” including themed routes that combine classic Hong Kong crime-film locations in Yau Ma Tei with local night markets and dining experiences.
(9) Empty Gun to Open in Hong Kong on 25 September; Zhu Yilong and Michelle Wai Attended Premiere
The film Empty Gun is scheduled for theatrical release in Hong Kong on 25 September, with lead actors Zhu Yilong and Michelle Wai attending a premiere and thank-you screening.
(10) Andy Lau to Invest in and Produce Lunar New Year Film Adapted from Stage Play; Supported by Kitty Yuen and Lokman
Andy Lau has decided to invest in and serve as producer on a Lunar New Year film adapted from a stage play, with Kitty Yuen and Lokman Yeung publicly expressing support for the project.
(11) Eason Chan’s EAS Music Signed First Female Artist KALAI
EAS Music, founded by Eason Chan, welcomed its first female artist, as KALAI announced her signing on her 28th birthday and released her first song, THAT’S HOW WE MOVE.
(12) 2nd Silk Way Star International Music Competition Airs on CCTV, Featuring Singers from 12 Countries
The 2nd Silk Way Star International Music Competition is airing on China Central Television, featuring singers from 12 countries including China, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Türkiye, Vietnam, South Africa, Russia, Serbia, Brazil, and New Zealand.
(Photo Credit: HK01)
The concert featured more than a dozen performers including Sam Hui, Kenny Bee, Michael Tse, Ian Chan of MIRROR and others. Karen Mok performed American Pie, the song Cheung sang at the 1977 contest, followed by Days of Being Wild and Love by Stealth. She recalled serving as a flower girl at that contest when she was six or seven years old and later being treated by Cheung as a niece whom he asked to call him “Uncle Leslie.”
Another highlight was a drone show at exactly 9:12 pm featuring 1,956 drones that formed images of Cheung’s various looks, stage icons and a birthday cake. The number of drones and the timing deliberately referenced Cheung’s birth year of 1956 and the date of the concert.
The evening closed with a pre-recorded message from Cheung’s long-time partner Daffy Tong, who wished him a happy 70th birthday and said that although the fans have grown older, their affection for him has never changed.
Organiser Florence Chan of Star Entertainment described the night as a meaningful tribute and expressed gratitude to all participating artists for helping create a memorable celebration of Leslie Cheung’s 70th birthday.
News Source: https://www.hk01.com/%E7%9C%BE%E6%A8%82%E8%BF%B7/60389581/%E5%BC%B5%E5%9C%8B%E6%A6%AE70%E8%AA%95%E8%BE%B0%E9%9F%B3%E6%A8%82%E6%9C%83%E5%9C%93%E6%BB%BF%E8%90%BD%E5%B9%95-%E8%8E%AB%E6%96%87%E8%94%9A%E9%87%8D%E7%8F%BE49%E5%B9%B4%E5%89%8D%E9%80%A0%E5%9E%8B%E8%87%B4%E6%95%AC%E5%93%A5%E5%93%A5?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare
(2) Michelle Yeoh Attended TIFF Premiere of New Film The Surgeon
(Photo Credit: on.cc)
Michelle Yeoh attended the world premiere of The Surgeon in Toronto, in which she plays a retiring top surgeon who is kidnapped and forced to perform one final operation. Co-star Martin Freeman also attended the premiere and the post-screening discussion. Yeoh prepared for the role by receiving basic surgical training that included suturing and instrument handling.
Her second TIFF title, It’s My Time, co-starring Liu Haoran and directed by Bai Xue, is a comedy-drama about a 70-year-old woman who discovers a talent for solving Rubik’s Cubes and teams up with a former world champion. Yeoh spent nearly two years practising the cube to meet the director’s demands for speed and accuracy.
Yeoh also appeared at TIFF’s annual Women in Film night alongside other international talent. Coverage noted the positive early reviews for The Surgeon, which was described as a fast-paced blend of action and medical-thriller elements.
The dual presence at the festival underscored Yeoh’s continued activity in both Chinese-language and English-language leading roles following her Academy Award win.
News Source: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20260914/bkn-20260914090145880-0914_00862_001.html
(3) Zhang Yimou Named Jury President for Main Competition at Busan International Film Festival
(Illustration Credit: on.cc)
Zhang Yimou, the Jury President for the main Competition section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, will lead a seven-member jury, including Chinese director Bi Gan, Japanese director Kei Ishikawa, Vietnamese producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, Korean director July Jung, Korean actor Choi Hee-seo and Kazakh actor Samal Yeslyamova. The panel will judge 13 films and present awards for Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor and Artistic Contribution, with total prize money of US$80,000.
This is the second year the Busan International Film Festival has operated a full Competition section after receiving FIAPF A-list recognition. Under updated Academy rules, the Best Film winner will automatically qualify for consideration in the Oscar Best International Feature category.
Zhang Yimou’s major festival achievements include the Golden Bear for Red Sorghum, two Golden Lions for The Story of Qiu Ju and Not One Less, and the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes for To Live. His appointment adds substantial prestige to the Competition strand.
Organisers confirmed that the jury will select the winners from the previously announced slate of 13 Competition titles during the festival period in October.
News Source: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20260917/bkn-20260917091518403-0917_00862_001.html
(4) Dead End by Director Lin Lok-hin Selected for Busan; Lokman Yeung, Hedwig Tam and Maggie Shiu to Attend World Premiere
(Photo Credit: am730)
The cast of Dead End is led by Lokman Yeung, Hedwig Tam and Maggie Shiu, with supporting performances by Eric Tsang and others. The story follows a 30-year-old programmer whose planned departure from Hong Kong is disrupted when a young man claiming to be his half-brother appears and insists on investigating their father’s fatal fall from a building more than a decade earlier.
The film examines family secrets, suppressed childhood memory and the personal decision of whether to leave or remain in Hong Kong.
The film is the winner of the tertiary section of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative and received production funding from the Hong Kong Film Development Council. Director Lin Lok-hin, Lokman Yeung, Hedwig Tam and Maggie Shiu will travel to Busan to attend the world premiere.
Producer Soi Cheang congratulated the first-time feature director and said that genuine audience response would matter more than awards. Lin described the selection as major encouragement and thanked the producer and industry mentors who supported him through the making of his debut long feature.
(5) Chinese VR Short Film The Pigeon Ring Won Venice Immersive Grand Prize
(Photo Credit: RTHK)
The 35-minute film is presented through virtual reality and immersive installation. It follows a grandfather and grandchild as they search for a lost pigeon ring, using the journey to explore memory and family bonds within an ordinary Chinese household. The narrative draws on quiet, intimate details rather than large-scale spectacle.
The Venice Immersive section screened 68 works from 26 countries and regions, of which 30 entered the competition. The Pigeon Ring received the top prize of the section at the closing ceremony held on 12 September in Venice.
Directors Zhang Yuqi and Tao Shixin attended the ceremony in person and accepted the trophy on stage. Chinese media outlets described the result as a significant achievement for domestic VR and immersive storytelling, marking one of the strongest showings by a Chinese work in this competitive Venice section in recent years.
The recognition at Venice is expected to increase international visibility for Chinese immersive media projects and may encourage further creative exploration in the VR short-film format both inside China and on the global festival circuit.
News Source: https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1869823-20260913.htm
(6) Josie Ho’s The Mage Secured Southeast Asia Distribution; Hong Kong Release Set for 8 October
(Photo Credit: Sing Tao)
The Mage, directed by the Pang Brothers (Pang Shun and Pang Fat) and starring Josie Ho, had its world premiere at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea, where it received positive attention from genre audiences. Singapore will follow on 15 October and Thailand on 29 October, with Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam scheduled for later in November.
CJ ENM Hong Kong’s executive director, Michael Jung, stated that the acquisition reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to bringing quality Asian stories to regional cinema audiences. Josie Ho, who also founded 852 Films, expressed pride that the film will reach cinemas across Southeast Asia and Taiwan, describing the partnership as strong affirmation of both the production and Hong Kong cinema’s potential to connect with wider Asian viewers. She added that she looks forward to closer collaboration with the distributor beyond this single title.
The production continues its international festival circuit. After the Bucheon premiere it was selected as the opening film of the Midnight section at the 2026 Bangkok International Film Festival, making it the first Hong Kong film to hold that slot.
Ho’s earlier production Dream Home had previously earned her a Best Actress award at Sitges, and the current title is positioned as a further step in expanding the company’s reach across Asian theatrical markets.
News Source: https://www.stheadline.com/film-drama/3614197
(7) Aaron Kwok’s New Film Entered Main Competition at Silk Road International Film Festival
(Photo Credit: on.cc)
The festival runs from 19 to 23 September in Xi’an under the theme “Silk Road Connecting the World, Light and Shadow Illuminating Chang’an.” Kwok posted the official poster on social media and stated that he was happy about the selection. He described the film as a story that mixes humour with tears while examining human nature, and noted that he had shot the entire production on location in Xi’an.
The festival received 2,130 submissions from 139 countries and regions, a record high for the event. Mainland actors including Jackson Yee, Tan Jianci, Zhu Yilong and Liu Haocun are also expected to attend, ensuring a strong industry presence on the red carpet and at related events.
Kwok’s selection places a high-profile Hong Kong leading performance in the main competition of a festival dedicated to cultural exchange along the Silk Road. The competition highlighted the film’s blend of comedic and dramatic elements as a point of interest for festival audiences, and noted Kwok’s long-standing connection with Mainland film projects as a factor in the production’s regional appeal.
News Source: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20260915/bkn-20260915210143214-0915_00862_001.html
(8) Policy Address Promotes “Film + Tourism,” Linking Yau Ma Tei Crime-Film Scenes with Local Night Markets
The government undertakes in the 2026-30 blueprint to comprehensively review the Film Development Fund with the aim of attracting more private investment and ensuring the fund’s long-term sustainability. It will also study the provision of set-building facilities to encourage more productions to shoot in Hong Kong.
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency will establish an “Outbound Film Shooting Support Team” to provide one-stop assistance for Mainland and overseas crews filming in the city. The Tourism Board will develop routes that link classic Hong Kong films, district character and local culture.
One concrete example is a Yau Ma Tei itinerary that pairs well-known crime-film shooting locations with night-market visits and local food experiences, intended to give visitors a deeper understanding of Hong Kong’s urban atmosphere and everyday life.
Industry figures welcomed the measures as practical support for both film production and tourism-linked promotion of Hong Kong cinema heritage.
News Source: https://www.inmediahk.net/node/%E6%94%BF%E7%B6%93/%E3%80%90%E6%96%BD%E6%94%BF%E5%A0%B1%E5%91%8A%E3%80%91%E6%8E%A8%E3%80%8C%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E6%97%85%E9%81%8A%E3%80%8D-%E4%B8%B2%E9%80%A3%E6%B2%B9%E9%BA%BB%E5%9C%B0%E8%AD%A6%E5%8C%AA%E7%89%87%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E5%A0%B4%E6%99%AF%E5%8F%8A%E5%9C%B0%E9%81%93%E5%A4%9C%E5%B8%82
(9) Empty Gun to Open in Hong Kong on 25 September; Zhu Yilong and Michelle Wai Attended Premiere
(Photo Credit: Dotdotnews)
The Hong Kong crime film Empty Gun, set against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s golden 1990s, will open in cinemas on 25 September. Directed by Han Yan, the film will bring together a star-studded cast spanning three generations of actors, such as Zhu Yilong, Tan Jianci, Tony Leung, Michelle Wai, Kara Wai, Selena Lee and Yuen Fu-wah, a line-up that will be billed as a “golden ensemble.”
The production team will release a new trailer in the run-up to the opening. A group of key creatives, including director Han Yan and lead actors Zhu Yilong, Michelle Wai, Yuen Fu-wah, and Selena Lee, will attend the Hong Kong premiere and a thank-you audience event next Thursday, 24 September. Zhu Yilong and Michelle Wai, who will play a crime couple in the film, will appear together to share insights into this crime-aesthetic movie portraying Hong Kong in the golden 1990s.
Award-winning actor Zhu Yilong has spent several months learning Cantonese for this role, aiming to deliver his Cantonese dialogue flawlessly in a film steeped in Hong Kong nostalgia. Through next week’s thank-you event, he would have the opportunity to communicate with Hong Kong audiences in Cantonese at close range. He expressed great anticipation, saying he hoped to chat with Hong Kong viewers in Cantonese off-screen and learn more about Hong Kong culture.
Zhu Yilong has had his recent sweep of Best Actor awards, including the Hundred Flowers Award and the Golden Rooster Award. Tony Leung, who has won multiple Best Actor honours, will lend unquestionable acting prowess, while Tan Jianci also won Best Actor at the Golden Deer Awards. The three award-winning actors will play a bandit, a tycoon, and a detective respectively, launching a series of life-and-death struggles over enormous wealth.
News Source: https://www.dotdotnews.com/a/202609/17/AP6aab8551e4b02724bdb4c0c4.html
(10) Andy Lau to Invest in and Produce Lunar New Year Film Adapted from Stage Play; Supported by Kitty Yuen and Lokman
(Photo Credit: HK01)
The stage play The Return of Siu Luk has earned unanimous praise from audiences since its premiere in May 2026, with all 18 performances selling out. Numerous celebrities from the performing arts world attended to show their support, including Dayo Wong, Sandra Ng, and Andy Lau, who praised the warm, humorous yet moving work, with Lau in particular being deeply touched by the script. Andy Lau decided to invest in adapting the stage play into a film, personally serve as producer, and invite Herman Yau to direct, with a planned release in the 2027 Lunar New Year slot.
The film version will retain the original cast of the stage play, which includes a number of accomplished actors such as Kitty Yuen, Lokman Yeung, Leung Chung-hang, Joe Wong, Grace Wu, Melody Yuen, and Simon Ngai. Leung Chung-hang and Grace Wu are known in the theatre world as the Best Actor and Best Actress respectively, while Lokman has risen prominently in the entertainment industry in recent years, picking up a string of nominations and awards. Kitty Yuen, after leaving radio, moved into the stage play field, and her participation in this Lunar New Year film symbolises a new attempt at developing on the big screen.
The work tells the story of an old turtle that has accompanied a family for many years, appearing on the “night of soul returning” in a fantastical and heartwarming way to help a family heal emotional wounds and resolve misunderstandings built up over the years. After watching this moving story, Andy Lau expressed that he was deeply moved by the plot and the actors’ outstanding performances, and he promptly recommended Herman Yau to bring it to the big screen. Filming is expected to begin in November, with the aim of releasing in the 2027 Lunar New Year slot.
News Source: https://www.hk01.com/article/60389628?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referralhttps://www.hk01.com/%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1/60389628/%E5%8A%89%E5%BE%B7%E8%8F%AF%E6%B1%BA%E6%84%8F%E6%8A%95%E8%B3%87%E8%88%9E%E5%8F%B0%E5%8A%87%E6%8B%8D%E6%88%90%E8%B3%80%E6%AD%B2%E7%89%87%E5%81%9A%E7%9B%A3%E8%A3%BD-%E5%8A%87%E5%B8%9D%E5%8A%87%E5%90%8E%E5%B0%8F%E5%84%80lokman%E5%8A%9B%E6%92%90?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referral
(11) Eason Chan’s EAS Music Signed First Female Artist KALAI
(Photo Credit: Wen Wei Po)
KALAI was introduced as the first female artist to join the EAS Music roster. At a new song launch event, she was joined by labelmate Eric Kwok and dozens of music industry figures, while Hilary Tsui, Constance Chan, and Wilfred Lau also appeared at the After Party. KALAI opened with a 30-second rap she wrote herself, then performed Like A Fool, GO UP, and her new work. She said creators who persist in chasing their dreams inevitably face hardship, and that her bank account once held only HK$20, but that regardless of highs and lows, she still called on people to do what they want to do.
Eason then took the stage and shared how they met. He said his wife Hilary Tsui’s shop event invited KALAI to perform, and he was drawn in by her energy. He later learned she was working at a friend’s shop, and he himself subscribed to her online channel, finding every work fresh and covering different types of music.
KALAI choked up as she thanked Eason and manager Katie Kan for their trust. She shared that when she received the invitation from EAS Music, she had a cyst on her vocal cords and was facing surgery, unsure whether she could keep singing.
The move is seen as an expansion of EAS Music’s artist development strategy beyond its previous focus, with Chan’s personal endorsement expected to draw attention to the new signing.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202609/16/AP6aa9a418e4b01d54a2834faa.html
(12) 2nd Silk Way Star International Music Competition Airs on CCTV, Featuring Singers from 12 Countries
(Photo Credit: Wen Wei Po)
The 2nd Silk Way Star International Music Competition is jointly organised by China Media Group (CMG) and the Presidential Television and the TV and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The programme continues the competition format that brings together musical talent connected to Silk Road cultural themes, featuring performers from different regions and musical styles. The series is designed to showcase cross-cultural musical exchange and introduce audiences to a broader range of contemporary and traditional forms. Chinese singer Curley G is competing in the competition, while Rukhiya Baidukenova from Kazakhstan is the winner of the first round of the second season.
Viewers were invited to tune in for the latest episode of the 2nd season. The competition forms part of broader cultural programming associated with Silk Road initiatives and related media platforms.
The broadcast continues to highlight emerging and established musical talent linked to the Silk Road theme, contributing to ongoing cultural exchange efforts through popular entertainment formats.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202609/13/AP6aa6465ee4b01d54a282f87e.html
