The Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) is spotlighting animation for the first time ever, inviting the producers behind six animated films that are in early development to the market. 

Now in its 23rd year, HAF runs from March 17 to 19, alongside Hong Kong’s major content market FilMart. HAF’s brand-new Animation Initiative will likely get a big profile boost from the recent performance of Chinese feature Ne Zha 2, which has surpassed US$2 billion at the global box office, triggering a wave of general interest in animation from the region.

Establishing an animation section and showcase has led to a 60% increase in this year’s animated submissions, according to HAF. And leaning into that growth, the event organizers are hosting two panels on Asian animation this week. 

A Mighty Adventure (pictured, 80 minutes) is the only kid-targeted film concept that will be featured in this year’s animation showcase, and it’s categorized as a work in progress—meaning that it’s in a later stage of production and seeking post-production financing, distribution and film festival support. This Taiwan/Hong Kong/Malaysia co-pro from Zero One Film and Flystudio is a US$2-million action-comedy about three unlikely animal friends who are transported to a city and have to find their way home. The producers will introduce A Mighty Adventure in a 10-minute presentation at HAF’s WIP Open Pitch event that takes place today and tomorrow. 

There’s also an animated family film from Indonesia heading to the event as part of a collaboration between the Hong Kong International Film Festival’s Industry Project Market and Jakarta Film Week. The film is Fly! from Bali-based ArtCodeStory and follows a young boy on a mystical journey to the afterlife in search of his dead father. 

HAF’s new animation program also runs a development strand for projects that are closer to the start of their financing journey and focused on finding co-production partners and investors, but only adult-skewing concepts were selected this year. 

All told, HAF and the Hong Kong International Film Festival’s Industry Project Market are awarding more than US$250,000 this year by way of 24 cash and in-kind prizes. These include WIP Awards (valued at US$12,800) for both one domestic and one international production, and a sponsored SkyFilm Animation Award (US$12,800) for the most promising film entry from that genre.