Navigating FILMART Hong Kong: My First-Time Experience : Media Industry Connections and Inspiration
FILMART Hong Kong is a whirlwind of creativity, connections, and inspiration. As a first-time attendee living in Hong Kong, I had no idea what to expect, but it was a valuable industry connect point and I’d like to return next year! Attending alongside my sister, who flew in from Vancouver, I attended with the Canadian Delegation and gained so much value from being part of this group. (Full credit and thanks to sis Kristina Lao.) Overall my first FILMART HK experience was both professionally enriching and personally transformative.
A few notes for international visitors:
- Bring local cash for local restaurants / taxis.
- Uber ok to hail cars & taxis / hailing street taxis often requires cash.
- Octopus ‘24hr tourist day pass’ available online or at MTR (local subway) can be used on most transport methods (eg. tram, bus) From Aug 2024, MTR gates accept Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay.
- Carry tissues & activated charcoal (in case of belly upset; common!)
- Here’s my full Asia travel essentials list on Amazon : including activated charcoal / sunscreen bug repellant / travel wipes etc.
My Experience as a FILMART Newcomer & What I Gained
Walking into FILMART for the first time was like stepping into a hive of creative energy. The sheer buzz of the event was exhilarating, and it was heartwarming to reconnect with old friends from the media industry.
But let’s be honest: FILMART is not for the faint-hearted (and best with key meetings arranged). The long days require strategic pacing to maximize the value of time there.
PRO TIP : always have your pitch decks and name cards on hand. You never know when a casual chat will turn into a game-changing opportunity. (And keep an eye out for me, lol – I might be making those introductions.)
As a Connector, I enjoyed uniting industry friends with new contacts. Fostering connections to spark potential collaborations—both locally and internationally—is incredibly rewarding. I truly believe in the power of shared value networking and collaboration in life.
On a personal note, FILMART gave me clarity about my own career path. As a lifestyle content creator returning to the industry, I’ve often worried about toning down my geeky side, fearing it might come across as tooooo quirky. But being surrounded by people unapologetically following their passions—many of whom left successful careers to follow their storytelling muses—was validating. It reminded me to embrace, share and exasperate you all with my gentle silly geeky authentic self, quirks and all.
Enthuzimuzzy – A humorous term for someone who is overly enthusiastic, often to the point of being annoying (Me! Wooo!)
Ideas for Possible Social Schedule for Future FILMART Media Industry Visitors…
FILMART’s packed agenda can be overwhelming, so an advance social schedule could come in handy. We were blessed to have a fun and generous cohort suggesting meals and key anchor points, which I really enjoyed, and would do again! Having been to my first FILMART and inspired by what worked for our cohort, here’s some loose ideas for social touch-points over the FILMART week:
– Sunday (Pre-FILMART): Kick things off with a local dim sum lunch and location tours. For example, take a Big Bus Tour to scout potential filming spots around Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, hop on the iconic Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui. This is a great way to acclimate, quickly view districts & potential filming locations before the madness begins.
– Monday & Tuesday: Explore, attend meetings & key panels. In free time mingle around cafe areas or pavilions for random meet-ups. Keep an eye out for official location tours offered in the schedule! (Eg. Guided tour of filming locations on Day 4 : need to reserve a place.)
– Wednesday: Organize a photo op at FILMART sign or your country pavilion. If possible get an invite to your Consul General event if there is one. A midweek highlight to supercharge with important players and refocus.
– Thursday: Celebrate the event’s success with closing drinks. While many attendees vanish by the end to complete meetings & follow up leads, it’s still a nice way to wrap up the week. (For us, the key anchor evening was Wednesday night.)
– Friday: A wrap-up local lunch to debrief, share insights, and solidify connections made during the week. (Many flew this day, so lunch was a lovely idea.)
This schedule suggestion combines business with leisure, assisting visitors to share helpful connections, stay united, and support each other through the adventure. Feel free to try it at your next FILMART!
Summary: Why I’ll Return to FILMART HK
FILMART is more than an industry event—it’s a hub of storytelling magic. In just a few days, I witnessed projects leaping forward and consensus of positive feedback about the event’s impact. For me, FILMART offered professional growth, and also delivered inspiration, validation, and connection.
As a Hong Kong-based media creator, I left FILMART feeling happy-tired, yet creatively inspired and motivated. Whether it’s for the lectures, the networking, or simply to soak up the buzzing atmosphere, I know I’ll be back. FILMART reminded me of how enrichingly connected the world of possibilities is, how we benefit from uniting in shared purpose, and of the incredible talent surrounding us—and that is worth returning for.
Thanks for visiting! If you liked this article or are curious to dive deeper, I invite you to explore my other articles on city life, luxury and everything in between. ✨
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