HKETO Berlin supports Hong Kong programme at Filmasia Festival
Hong Kong Cinema Showcased in Czechia Through Filmasia Partnership
March 13th, 2026
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) is supporting the presentation of a dedicated Hong Kong programme at the Filmasia Presents festival taking place in February and March 2026 in Brno and Olomouc, Czechia. Through this collaboration, HKETO Berlin aims to introduce audiences in Central Europe to Hong Kong’s vibrant film industry and cultural landscape. The initiative forms part of HKETO Berlin’s broader mandate to promote cultural, economic, and commercial ties between Hong Kong and eight Central and Eastern European countries under its jurisdiction - Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Germany.
The Filmasia Presents festival, held annually in the Czech cities of Brno and Olomouc, focuses on contemporary Asian cinema and serves as a platform for cultural exchange between Asia and Europe. Within the 2026 edition, the festival will feature a special “Hong Kong Programme Section” highlighting films that reflect the creative diversity, cinematic heritage, and storytelling traditions of Hong Kong. By supporting this section, HKETO Berlin contributes to raising awareness of Hong Kong’s cultural industries while fostering greater engagement between Central European audiences and the city’s creative sector. The collaboration illustrates the role of film festivals as important channels for cultural diplomacy, enabling governments and institutions to deepen mutual understanding through artistic expression.
HKETO Berlin operates as the official representative office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in Central and Eastern Europe. Its mandate includes strengthening Hong Kong’s economic partnerships while also advancing cultural and people-to-people connections across the region. Support for Filmasia Presents reflects a strategic effort to integrate cultural promotion into a broader framework of international cooperation. By engaging with established cultural institutions and regional festivals, HKETO Berlin not only highlights Hong Kong’s artistic achievements but also situates its cultural sector within wider economic and creative industry networks. The initiative therefore complements Hong Kong’s wider efforts to position itself as a global hub for film production, media innovation, and creative collaboration.
From a diplomatic perspective, participation in international cultural festivals contributes to Hong Kong’s long-term strategy of strengthening ties with European partners beyond purely economic engagement. Cultural programming such as the Hong Kong Programme Section provides opportunities for dialogue among filmmakers, festival organisers, cultural institutions, and audiences across borders. This interaction supports the development of professional networks between Hong Kong’s film industry and European cultural sectors, potentially encouraging co-production, distribution partnerships, and academic exchanges related to film and media studies. In this sense, the festival operates not only as a cultural showcase but also as a platform for creative industry diplomacy.
More broadly, HKETO Berlin’s involvement in Filmasia Presents demonstrates how cultural initiatives can complement trade and investment diplomacy. By presenting Hong Kong cinema to audiences in Czechia and the wider Central European region, the programme enhances the visibility of Hong Kong’s creative economy while reinforcing its image as an open and internationally connected cultural centre. Over time, such initiatives contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between Hong Kong and the Czech Republic within a wider network of partnerships across Central and Eastern Europe. Through sustained engagement in cultural events and festivals, HKETO Berlin continues to support long-term cooperation that integrates artistic exchange with broader economic and diplomatic objectives.
