Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Applications should meet the following selection criteria:
1.          The applicant must be the copyright holder of the submitted proposal or an authorized representative;
2.          Project duration must be between 5 and 20 minutes, with a director and a producer (or executive producer) representing the proposal;
3.          All genres are welcome, including fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental;
4.          The project should demonstrate artistic value and potential for innovation in cinematic language;
5.          Only original short-film proposals;
6.          Applicants must have previously completed at least one short film as a principal creative and provide links to that work.


Required materials:
Applicants must complete the online application form(https://asff.hafapplication.com), which includes the following:;

1.          Story Synopsis (30 English words / 60 Chinese characters);
2.          Story Outline (100 English words / 150 Chinese characters);
3.          Director's Statement (100 words in English; 150 words in Chinese);
4.          Director's Biography and Filmography (100 words in English; 150 words in Chinese);
5.          Producer/Executive Producer’s biography and filmography (100 words in English; 150 words in Chinese);
6.          Treatment (500 words in English; 1000 words in Chinese);
7.          Budget overview;
8.          Full script (for narrative and animated narrative proposals only);
9.          Storyboard / Visual references / Character designs / Style references (for animation proposals only);
10.       Thematic statement / Subject references / Creative Concept (for documentary proposals only);
11.        Expression Approach / Concept Statement (for experimental proposals only);
12.        Links to previous representative works (streaming links only; up to 3 may be submitted. All links must remain active through December 31, 2025. Passwords must be provided if access is restricted).

*Once you begin an application, you have a five-day modification period to log in and revise, supplement or complete your submission. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Support & Conditions:
1.          ASFF will provide round-trip travel (home country–Hong Kong) and hotel accommodation for one representative of each selected project based outside Hong Kong; final arrangements are at ASFF’s discretion;
2.          Each selected project must send at least one representative to attend all ASFF-organized meetings and networking events.

Important Notes:
1.          All submitted materials must comply with the official regulations and guidelines;
2.          Each application is for one short film project only;
3.          A separate application fee must be paid for each submission. All fees are non-refundable;
4.          Applications for Chinese-language projects must be submitted in both Chinese and English;
5.          Strict adherence to word/character limits is mandatory;
6.          Incomplete applications or those without payment will not be accepted;
7.          All information provided will be kept strictly confidential and used solely for internal assessment by the ASFF committee and its designated personnel;
8.          Submitted materials will not be returned;
9.          If the project has participated in any other short-film fund or program, please provide details in the application form;
10.        Selected projects will be notified individually in August 2025;
11.        ASFF reserves final decision rights;
12.        Prior to production, selected projects must sign production and usage‐rights agreements.

Contact:
asff@hkiff.org.hk