China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 123 Week of 19 October 2026
(1) Aaron Kwok’s New Feature IOU Selected for Competition at the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
Aaron Kwok’s new feature IOU, directed by Zhang Zhonghua, was selected for the “Critics’ Choice Competition” at the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF). The Category-A festival selection highlights Kwok’s transformative performance as a debt collector who crosses paths with two left-behind children.
(2) “HANGOVER Festival 2026” Set for November at Kwun Tong Promenade Featuring Blind-Box Card Pulls for Lineup Order and Romance-Themed R&B/Rap Roster
HANGOVER Festival 2026 will take place on November 21 at the Kwun Tong Promenade, featuring an R&B and rap lineup centered around romance themes. The festival introduces a unique blind-box card-pulling format to determine performance sequences, blending live music with interactive collectibles and waterfront nightlife.
(3) Fan Bingbing Critiqued AI Short Dramas and Homogenized Aesthetics, Warning Younger Audiences Deserve Richer Artistic Nuance
At the Busan International Film Festival, Fan Bingbing commented on the rapid rise of AI-generated short dramas in China, expressing concern that their visual and narrative homogeneity may limit younger audiences’ artistic nourishment.
(4) Nicholas Tse Kicks Off “Evolution Nic Live” Tour in Nanchang with Massive Stadium Sing-Alongs and Cutting-Edge Moving Stage Design
Nicholas Tse launched his “Evolution Nic Live” Tour in Nanchang with a sold-out stadium concert, treating thousands of fans to his classic hits. Featuring cutting-edge 14-meter spherical mobile stages and immersive light effects, the high-energy show highlighted his enduring star power across generations.
(5) Local Sci-Fi Animation Odium Zero Nominated for the 22nd Chinese American Film Festival, Director James Hung Affirms Hong Kong’s Animation Capabilities
James Hung’s original sci-fi animation Odium Zero has been nominated for the 22nd Chinese American Film Festival in Los Angeles. Featuring a star-studded voice cast and cutting-edge hybrid production, the project’s international selection underscores Hong Kong’s growing capacity to build world-class animation IPs.
(6) Global Pop Star The Weeknd Meets Tony Leung and Carina Lau in Hong Kong, Pays Tribute to Chungking Express with Faye Wong Classic
Pop superstar The Weeknd met with Tony Leung and Carina Lau during his stay in Hong Kong ahead of his Kai Tak concert. Sharing photos of the private dinner, The Weeknd paid tribute to Chungking Express by using Faye Wong’s classic song Dreams as background music.
(7) COLLAR’s Candy Wong Makes Her Animation Voice Acting Debut in Disney’s Hexed, Voicing the Rebel Teen Billie
COLLAR member Candy Wong has landed her first animation voice acting role, starring as the rebellious teen Billie in the Cantonese version of Disney’s upcoming magical feature Hexed. Produced by the Frozen and Zootopia creative team, the fantasy adventure is set to hit Hong Kong cinemas on November 28, 2026.
(8) 39th Golden Rooster Awards 2026 Nominations Announced: Tony Leung Competes Against Top-Tier Young Stars Wu Lei and Tan Jianci for Best Actor
The 39th China Film Golden Rooster Awards announced its 2026 nominations, featuring Hong Kong veteran Tony Leung Ka-fai competing for Best Actor in The Shadow’s Edge. Shu Qi also picked up dual nominations for her directorial debut Girl, highlighting a competitive race across Chinese-language cinema.
(9) Nick Cheung’s Comedy-Drama Good Trip Dominates Box Office for 5 Consecutive Days, Surpassing HK$7.5 Million
Nick Cheung’s comedy-drama Good Trip crossed the HK$7.5 million mark after dominating the Hong Kong box office for five consecutive days. Blending humor and touching family themes, the film follows a father-daughter road trip across borders.
(10) Elka Cheng Announces Sold-Out Debut Solo Concert el_ka, Backed by Cantopop’s Elite Lyricists and Directed by Golden Award-Winning Filmmaker
Lolly Talk member Elka Cheng announced her debut solo concert el_ka, set for November 8, 2026, with tickets selling out immediately. Supported by Cantopop lyricist giants Wyman Wong, Chow Yiu Fai, and Albert Leung alongside award-winning director Ho Cheuk-tin, Elka’s solo venture marks an exciting new chapter.
(11) HKU Faculty of Arts Partners with Music Company to Launch Thematic EPs Featuring Student Works Every Quarter
The HKU Faculty of Arts has partnered with a professional music company to release thematic EPs featuring student musical works every quarter. The initiative provides hands-on industry mentorship and professional distribution, bridging academic education with Hong Kong’s commercial music sector.
(12) G.E.M. and Li Ronghao Deliver First-Ever Live Duet of Free to Be You at Tianjin Concert, Revealing Behind-the-Scenes Collaboration
G.E.M. joined Li Ronghao on stage as a special guest during his Tianjin concert tour stop to perform their collaborative single Free to Be You for the first time live. The duet highlights the meticulous studio craftsmanship behind the track and celebrates a major creative collaboration in Mandopop.
(1) Aaron Kwok’s New Feature IOU Selected for Competition at the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
(Photo Credit: hk.on.cc)
Hong Kong superstar and award-winning actor Aaron Kwok has achieved another cinematic milestone. His latest feature film, IOU (《請不走的門神》), directed by Shaanxi filmmaker Zhang Zhonghua, has been officially selected to compete in the “Critics’ Choice Competition” unit at the prestigious 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF).
Founded in 1997 in Tallinn, Estonia, the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival was accredited by FIAPF in 2014 as one of the world’s 17 Category-A competitive international film festivals. IOU tells a poignant, heartwarming story centered around a debt collector (played by Kwok) who crosses paths with two young left-behind siblings. To break away from conventional roles and sport a rustic character image, Kwok underwent a physical transformation, even adding a gold tooth for the role.
Kwok shared his delight on social media, expressing gratitude for the festival selection. The international recognition underscores Kwok’s continued dedication to challenging himself across diverse independent and auteur-driven film projects, taking Hong Kong and Chinese-language cinema to top-tier European festivals.
News Source: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20261015/bkn-20261015210148077-1015_00862_001.html
(2) “HANGOVER Festival 2026” Set for November at Kwun Tong Promenade Featuring Blind-Box Card Pulls for Lineup Order and Romance-Themed R&B/Rap Roster
(Photo Credit: ORANGE NEWS)
Local creative entertainment culture brand HANGOVER HK has announced its original music festival IP, “HANGOVER Festival 2026,” scheduled to take place on November 21, 2026, at AQUABEAT 03 along the Kwun Tong Promenade. Centered around the theme of “Romance,” the festival explores stages of love ranging from ambiguity and passionate romance to heartbreak through Melodic Rap, R&B, and Emo Pop genres.
In a creative twist, the event adopts a “blind-box” format where the exact performance sequence is not announced in advance; instead, attendees unlock artists and setlists on-site via a card-pulling mechanism. VIP ticket holders will receive exclusive physical card collections with chances to pull autographed SSR cards.
The initial artist lineup features cross-regional contemporary music acts, including Taiwanese singer-songwriter KIRE, rapper PIZZALI, viral hitmaker 斑恩BEN, R&B artist BK, PPLIN 林芃逸, 2000wtx (王泰翔), and Wade韋德, with a second wave of mystery units slated to be unveiled in late October. The event combines live performances, specialty drinks, and interactive DJ sections, underscoring Hong Kong’s vibrant independent music scene.
(3) Hua Chenyu’s Nanjing Residency Concerts Drive 540,000 Visitors, Exemplifying the Boom in China’s “Performance + Tourism” Economy
(Photo Credit: Wen Wei Po)
Mainland singer Hua Chenyu hosted a multi-day residency concert series at Nanjing Tangshan Music Valley across the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays, drawing nearly 540,000 visitors to the Tangshan district. The residency, which will expand to 13 total shows running through mid-November, propelled Nanjing’s holiday hotel booking volume to rank first nationwide, surpassing Beijing.
Data from the China Association of Performing Arts shows that in H1 2026, box office revenue for large-scale concerts and music festivals (attending over 5,000 people) reached 17.11 billion RMB, representing a year-on-year increase of 17.7%, with attendance topping 23.28 million spectators. Hua’s “Mars Concert 2.0” model innovated beyond traditional stadium shows by featuring a 6-to-7-hour daily “all-in-one” single-ticket park concept, incorporating themed art installations, camping grounds, and public dining zones that transform live music into an all-day cultural tourism project.
The residency model demonstrates a strong long-tail economic impact, with cross-provincial and cross-city attendees accounting for over 95% of total concertgoers in similar multi-day stops. Complemented by the international success of his sixth album ranking eighth on IFPI’s Global Album Sales Chart and cross-industry brand ventures, Hua’s residency model highlights a commercial loop bridging original music creation, immersive live experiences, and offline retail growth.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202610/16/AP6ad19d60e4b01d54a28760fc.html
(Photo Credit: 黃慧 / Wen Wei Po)
Hong Kong singer-actor Nicholas Tse launched his highly anticipated “Evolution Nic Live” Tour at the Jiangxi Nanchang International Sports Center Stadium. Performing his first major solo concert in the city, Tse delivered an electrifying three-hour set featuring iconic Cantopop and Mandopop anthems such as VIVA, Because I Love You, and Grateful for Your Love ‘99, sparking thunderous, stadium-wide sing-alongs.
The concert showcased innovative stage production designed around the “evolution” theme, featuring a 14-meter-high spherical mobile stage, a gantry aerial framework, and sliding treadmill platforms that broke conventional boundaries to connect with fans across every corner of the venue. Over 2,000 dynamic stage lights and synchronized historical video montages complemented the performance, creating an immersive cross-generational audiovisual journey that bridged Tse’s early rock-and-roll rebellion with his current multifaceted career as a filmmaker and culinary entrepreneur.
Fans flooded the stadium, enthusiastically chanting across gender lines and demonstrating the enduring cross-generational appeal of Hong Kong’s veteran artists within the mainland touring market.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202610/19/AP6ad5257de4b01d54a287b19c.html
(5) Local Sci-Fi Animation Odium Zero Nominated for the 22nd Chinese American Film Festival, Director James Hung Affirms Hong Kong’s Animation Capabilities
(Photo Credit: Odium Zero)
Hong Kong director and screenwriter James Hung’s original sci-fi animation Odium Zero (《無涯之約》) has been officially selected for the main competition unit (Short Film category) of the 22nd Chinese American Film Festival (CAFF) in Los Angeles. As the sole Hong Kong animation entry, it marks a significant milestone for local original animation on the international stage. The festival’s opening ceremony and awards gala are scheduled for November 10, 2026, in Los Angeles.
Produced by ORINPIX Studios Limited, executive-produced by Jacky Chu, and selected under the third “Future Animation” project sponsored by CreateHK and organized by the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association, Odium Zero blends 2D hand-drawn art with AI-assisted workflows. The star-studded voice cast features Ali Lee, Simon Yam, Jeffrey Ngai, Anson Kong, and Amy Lo, with Philip Ng serving as action consultant. Set in a post-apocalyptic world invaded by a mysterious substance that mutates humans, the project fuses sci-fi, suspense, and signature Hong Kong action elements.
Director James Hung expressed that the selection validates Hong Kong teams’ ability to build world-class original animation IPs, expanding the project’s global footprint following its global premiere at Comic Con Hong Kong.
News Source: https://www.hk01.com/article/60400743?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referral
(6) Global Pop Star The Weeknd Meets Tony Leung and Carina Lau in Hong Kong, Pays Tribute to Chungking Express with Faye Wong Classic
(Photo Credit: hk01)
International pop superstar The Weeknd—who arrived in Hong Kong ahead of his upcoming After Hours Til Dawn tour stop at the Kai Tak Sports Park—recently met with legendary actor Tony Leung and Carina Lau for a private dinner. The unexpected gathering of global music and cinematic icons quickly went viral across social media.
The Weeknd shared photos of the evening on Instagram, including a personalized note written on the menu card thanking Tony and Carina for their hospitality (“Thank you for an incredible night, your friend the weeknd, to Tony & Carina”). In another post featuring a conversation with Leung, The Weeknd set the background music to Faye Wong’s iconic 1994 classic Dreams (《夢中人》)—a subtle yet powerful nod to Wong’s starring role alongside Leung in Wong Kar-wai’s cinematic masterpiece Chungking Express.
The Canadian artist has long cited Wong Kar-wai’s visual aesthetics and 1990s Hong Kong cinema as pivotal creative influences, even sharing classic Faye Wong albums like Fuzao (《浮躁》) with fans. This cross-cultural meetup highlights Hong Kong’s enduring status as a magnetic nexus for global entertainment royalty.
(7) COLLAR’s Candy Wong Makes Her Animation Voice Acting Debut in Disney’s Hexed, Voicing the Rebel Teen Billie
(Photo Credit: hk01)
Disney’s upcoming original animated feature Hexed (《魔法師的秘密王國》)—created by the creative team behind Frozen and Zootopia—has tapped COLLAR member Candy Wong for her first-ever animation voice acting role in the Cantonese dubbed version. She voices Billie, a quirky, impulsive teenage protagonist who discovers hidden magical powers and inadvertently stumbles into a mysterious magical realm alongside her strict mother.
As a lifelong Frozen fan whose graduation keepsake was an Elsa doll, Wong expressed sheer excitement upon learning she was working with her favorite animation studio’s core production team. To capture Billie’s dynamic movements and reactions, Wong adopted a physical recording approach, mimicking the character’s gestures in the studio to bring authentic energy and emotional depth to her performance.
Reflecting on the film’s magical themes, Wong joked that if she possessed real magic, she would choose the power of flight—not only to bypass Hong Kong’s daily traffic jams on her way to work, but also to save on airfares for quick trips to Taiwan. Hexed is slated for release in Hong Kong cinemas on November 28, 2026.
(8) 39th Golden Rooster Awards 2026 Nominations Announced: Tony Leung Competes Against Top-Tier Young Stars Wu Lei and Tan Jianci for Best Actor
The nominations for the 39th China Film Golden Rooster Awards were officially announced, setting the stage for a cross-generational showdown. Veteran multi-award-winning Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Ka-fai secured a Best Actor nomination for his riveting performance in the suspense thriller The Shadow’s Edge (《捕風追影》), where he faces off against prominent mainland actors Wu Lei in The Decisive Moment (《群星閃耀時》), Tan Jianci in Sound of Silence (《震耳欲聾》), Jiang Qiming in Take Off (《飛行家》), and Jiang Long in Being Towards Death (《10間敢死隊》).
Meanwhile, actress-turned-director Shu Qi earned dual nominations—for Best Small-to-Medium Budget Feature and Best Directing Debut—for her feature directorial debut Girl (《女孩》), following its strong international festival run. In the Best Actress category, heavyweight contenders such as Song Jia in The Volunteers: Peace in Blood (《志願軍：浴血和平》) and Gao Ye in Nanjing Photo Studio (《南京照相館》) will compete alongside Tony Leung’s The Shadow’s Edge co-star Zhang Zifeng.
A notable talking point was the absence of the anti-war blockbuster Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (《歡迎來龍餐館》), which recently became China’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards. Industry insiders clarified that the film missed the Rooster Awards submission deadline due to its August release window, positioning it as an automatic frontrunner for next year’s 40th edition.
News Source: https://www.hk01.com/%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1/60401352/%E9%87%91%E9%9B%9E%E7%8D%8E2026%E5%85%A5%E5%9C%8D%E5%90%8D%E5%96%AE-%E6%A2%81%E5%AE%B6%E8%BC%9D%E7%A1%AC%E6%92%BC%E9%A0%82%E6%B5%81%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%9F-%E5%90%B3%E7%A3%8A%E6%AA%80%E5%81%A5%E6%AC%A1%E9%BD%8A%E7%88%AD%E5%BD%B1%E5%B8%9D?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referral
(9) Nick Cheung’s Comedy-Drama Good Trip Dominates Box Office for 5 Consecutive Days, Surpassing HK$7.5 Million
(Photo Credit: Good Trip)
The heartwarming comedy-drama Good Trip (《我阿爹想旅行》)—starring Nick Cheung and Chung Suet-ying—has enjoyed explosive box office momentum since its release on October 15, 2026. Pulling in HK$3.33 million on opening day alone, the film held the number-one spot for five consecutive days and has officially powered past the HK$7.5 million cumulative box office mark.
Directed by Norris Wong and Wong Hoi, the film follows a film art director (played by Chung) who embarks on an impromptu, cross-border road trip from Hong Kong to Macau and Okinawa with her ailing father (played by Cheung) after the duo sneaks out of the hospital. Blending signature Cheung-style wit, emotional depth, and touching father-daughter dynamics, the film has resonated deeply with audiences across generations.
During the recent long weekend, Cheung, the directors, and cast members—lead by Nick Cheung—conducted intensive theater visits across Hong Kong, interacting with packed audiences who praised the film’s seamless blend of laughter and tears.
(10) Elka Cheng Announces Sold-Out Debut Solo Concert el_ka, Backed by Cantopop’s Elite Lyricists and Directed by Golden Award-Winning Filmmaker
(Photo Credit: am730)
Lolly Talk member and independent solo artist Elka Cheng is making waves in the local music scene. Following her successful solo transition under Trevi Music and the release of acclaimed tracks like To Be Confirmed (《未firm》), Brainwash Song (《洗腦歌》), and Blocked (《block了》), Elka has officially announced her debut solo concert, titled el_ka, scheduled for November 8, 2026, at the Hong Kong Shue Chi Creative Arts Centre. Public tickets went on sale on October 14 and quickly sold out.
The concert’s title features an underscore (“_”), symbolizing a transitional boundary between her group origins and solo artistic exploration. Elka’s independent music journey has garnered unprecedented industry support, featuring heavyweight lyricists Wyman Wong, Chow Yiu Fai, and Albert Leung, as well as an artistic music video directed by The Sparring Partner directorHo Cheuk-tin.
With production quality rivaling top-tier major releases and a rapidly expanding solo repertoire, Elka’s debut solo showcase highlights the vibrant creative momentum of Hong Kong’s new generation of independent singer-songwriters.
News Source: https://www.am730.com.hk/%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82/1059396/%E9%84%AD%E8%8A%B7%E6%B7%87elka%E5%80%8B%E4%BA%BA%E9%9F%B3%E6%A8%82%E6%9C%83%E9%96%80%E7%A5%A8%E5%94%AE%E7%BD%84-%E7%8D%B2%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E4%B8%89%E5%A4%A7%E8%A9%9E%E4%BA%BA%E5%8A%A0%E6%8C%81%E9%82%80%E4%BD%95%E7%88%B5%E5%A4%A9%E5%9F%B7%E5%B0%8Emv
(11) HKU Faculty of Arts Partners with Music Company to Launch Thematic EPs Featuring Student Works Every Quarter
(Photo Credit: Sing Tao Daily)
The University of Hong Kong’s (HKU) Faculty of Arts has entered into a strategic partnership with a professional music company to launch a quarterly thematic EP series dedicated to showcasing original musical works created by students. The initiative aims to bridge academia and the commercial music industry, providing emerging student songwriters, producers, and performers with professional recording infrastructure, distribution channels, and mentorship.
Each quarterly EP will center around a specific cultural or contemporary theme, encouraging students to combine academic perspectives in literature, linguistics, and cultural studies with modern commercial songwriting. Industry professionals will collaborate directly with university cohorts to guide them through arrangement, studio production, and digital streaming rollout.
This partnership marks a significant milestone in fostering local creative talent within Hong Kong’s higher education sector, aligning with wider government initiatives to boost cultural industries and position the city as a premier regional hub for arts and creative talent.
News Source: https://www.stheadline.com/edu-insights/3627710/%E6%B8%AF%E5%A4%A7%E6%96%87%E5%AD%B8%E9%99%A2%E8%88%87%E9%9F%B3%E6%A8%82%E5%85%AC%E5%8F%B8%E5%90%88%E4%BD%9C-%E6%AF%8F%E5%AD%A3%E6%8E%A8%E4%B8%BB%E9%A1%8CEP%E6%94%B6%E9%8C%84%E5%AD%B8%E7%94%9F%E4%BD%9C%E5%93%81
(12) G.E.M. and Li Ronghao Deliver First-Ever Live Duet of Free to Be You at Tianjin Concert, Revealing Behind-the-Scenes Collaboration
(Photo Credit: mtv.com.tw)
Chinese pop powerhouse G.E.M. surprised fans as a special guest at Li Ronghao’s “Dark Horse” concert tour stop in Tianjin. The two music titans delivered the first-ever live duet of their collaborative single Free to Be You (《自由的你》), marking the transition of their creative partnership from studio production to the live stage.
Written and composed by G.E.M. with production and arrangement handled by Li Ronghao, the track was forged amidst both artists’ demanding touring schedules. The collaboration fulfilled a promise G.E.M. hinted at during her own Tianjin concert months prior. Li Ronghao revealed the rigorous production process behind the scenes—involving two arrangement drafts, six mixes, and three master versions—highlighting their shared commitment to sonic perfection.
Serving as a precursor to G.E.M.’s upcoming new album, the track bridges her intimate piano-driven songwriting origins with futuristic production elements, further cementing the artistic synergy between two of Mandopop’s most influential singer-songwriters.
