Guest Curator Open Call: HK & ESEA Film and Community Programme

Hong Kong Film Festival UK (HKFF UK) is excited to announce an Open Call for curated film screenings paired with cultural events, inviting proposals from curators of Hong Kong, wider East and Southeast Asian backgrounds, and underrepresented communities across the UK.

Selected projects will premiere in London in September 2025, or in Manchester between winter 2025 and early 2026. This initiative aligns with the Festival’s mission to amplify the visibility of Hong Kong and ESEA communities, and foster strong cultural connections across the UK. Curators are encouraged to submit bold and original ideas that offer fresh perspectives on HK/ESEA narratives, stimulate dialogue, and engage communities in meaningful ways.

Who can apply

Individuals, collectives, and organisations in the UK who self-identify as part of the Hong Kong, East & Southeast Asian, or broader underrepresented communities are invited to apply. We welcome curators and programmers at every career stage — from emerging to seasoned — and embrace all levels of experience. Regardless of where you are based in the UK, you may submit proposals designed to engage communities in Central London, Hackney, Sutton, Ealing, Kingston, or Manchester.

What we are looking for

We invite proposals for creative, one-off events that celebrate Hong Kong and broader East & Southeast Asian cinema, art, and culture. These could be special film screenings paired with Q&As, performances, site-specific art interventions, interactive workshops, cultural walking tours, or a creative combination of formats. Surprise us!

We’re looking for proposals with a strong curatorial vision that explore compelling ideas relevant to HK/ESEA experiences. Possible themes include:

• Alternative perspectives on diaspora narratives, particularly at their intersections with themes, such as colonialism, climate emergency, archival unearthing, LGBTQ+ identities, body politics, kinship, and other evolving concerns in contemporary diasporic life;
• Spotlighting marginalised cultures and underrepresented voices;
• Sparking conversations about activism, social justice, and societal change;
• Inclusive and accessible programming, such as family-friendly or relaxed screenings;
• Any themes relevant to the Festival’s mission and focus.

Application guidelines

Application proposal (in English) must be emailed to offy.leung@hkff.uk by 6:00pm BST on Sunday, 25 May 2025. Please include “HKFF UK 2025 – Guest Curator Open Call” in the email subject line.

Proposals should be submitted in one of the following formats:

• Written Proposal: Up to 4 pages (PDF or Word), which must be clearly formatted.
• Video Pitch: Approximately 10 minutes in length, via a private YouTube or Vimeo link.
• Please include any required access passwords in your application.

Your proposal should address the following key points:

• Introduction:
  Introduce yourself (or your team). What relevant experience, perspective, or expertise do you bring to this project? Provide examples of previous curatorial work, community engagement, art projects, or other experiences that demonstrate your capability and passion.
• Curatorial Vision:
  What is the story or concept behind your programme? Describe the central idea and explain why it is exciting, timely, or important. Outline the key themes (e.g., diaspora, marginalised cultures, social activism, inclusivity and accessibility), and explain their significance to HK/ESEA communities and the Festival’s mission.
• Film and Community Programming:
  What is the suggested film title, and how does your proposed community programme pair with it? Specify the event type (e.g., performance, workshop, tour, hybrid) and identify potential partners, facilitators, speakers, or artists, including brief descriptions of their backgrounds. Explain the relevance and impact of the programme pairing.
• Audience Engagement:
  Define your target audience and describe your plans for engaging them. Outline your community outreach strategy, including partnerships with local groups, venues, or guest speakers. Explain how your event will create an inclusive and welcoming environment for the community.
• Event Format & Feasibility:
  Briefly outline how the event will run, including a preliminary budget plan, preferred cinemas or venues, technical requirements, and any support you may need — demonstrating that your proposal is realistic and achievable.

Selection criteria

Our festival programming team will assess proposals based on the following:

• Originality of the curatorial concept
• Relevance to Hong Kong and/or East & Southeast Asian themes
• Comprehensiveness and inclusivity of the proposed films and programme structure
• Community connection and genuine audience engagement
• Feasibility within the Festival’s framework, exciting yet realistically achievable

Selection process and support

All submissions will be reviewed by Programming Director Ching Wong and Public Programme Curator Offy Leung. Shortlisted applicants will be notified by 29 May 2025 and invited to an online interview between 2 — 6 June 2025, during which their concepts will be discussed in greater depth.

Selection will be based on the proposals’ originality, vision, relevance, feasibility, and anticipated community impact, and overall fit within the Festival programme.

Support for Selected Curators:

• Successful applicants will work closely with Offy Leung and the HKFF UK team to bring their
  programmes to life.
• A curatorial fee of £350 and a production budget capped at £450 will be
  provided.
• HKFF UK is committed to fostering a collaborative environment and supporting curators
  in realising their artistic vision.

Key dates

• Application Deadline: Sunday, 25 May 2025, by 6:00pm BST
• Shortlist Notifications: Thursday, 29 May 2025
• Online Interviews: Monday – Friday, 2 – 6 June 2025
• Festival Launch (London): September 2025
• UK Tour (Manchester): Winter 2025 – Early 2026

If you’re passionate about sharing Hong Kong and ESEA stories and connecting with communities, we want to hear from you!

This initiative is with the support of the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery.

The closing date for this position is 25/05/2025 at 18:00