Drifting Shakes Up the Festival with a Double Win
The 15th FIRST International Film Festival turned into a victory parade for Hong Kong’s own Drifting, a film produced by mm2 Entertainment Hong Kong. The reel snagged not one, but two top honors: the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award—making history as the first Hong Kong movie to bag both.
Meet the Man Who Took the Stage
Enter Tse Kwan‑ho, the film’s lead, who ran up to the podium in Qinghai, China, to accept the trophies on behalf of the cast and crew. A new chapter added to the film’s story.
Speech Highlights
- Certified recognition from the judges—“thank you for affirming our movie.”
- First award for Drifting since its premiere—“very encouraging.”
- Gratitude for the production crew, especially Francis Ng and Kwan‑ho.
- Heartfelt thanks to mm2 and the entire team—support, understanding, indulgence.
- Commitment to keep hustling: “I’ll continue working hard and making good movies!”
In short: a night that felt like popping champagne—both awards together, a historic win, and a heartfelt march toward the future.
Drifting tells the story of Fai (played by Francis Ng), a man who found himself back on the streets after his release from prison. The film shines a light on the plight of the homeless staying in Sham Shui Po, one of Hong Kong’s poorest districts.
The film, which stars Francis Ng, Tse Kwan-ho, Rachel Lee, Cecilia Choi, Chu Pak Hong, Baby Bo Pui Yue and Will Or, was released in Hong Kong cinemas in June and earned over HK$6.4 million (S$1.11 million) at the box office.
It was chosen to compete in the Narrative Feature competition at the 15th FIRST Film Festival, which was its Chinese premiere. The film’s screenings at the festival attracted strong interest from local moviegoers.
“Drifting” Cascades Into Global Spotlight
Drifting keeps sailing smoother than ever, catching eyes and tickets across the globe. The indie gem has just inked deals with a litany of film festivals worldwide.
Festival Line‑Up
- Rotterdam International Film Festival
- Hong Kong International Film Festival
- British‑Chinese Visual Festival
- Italy’s Udine Far East Film Festival
- And the Taipei Film Festival – marking its first Taiwanese premiere
To see it in action, check out the trailer below. Spoiler: it’s a mix of raw emotion and a dash of ocher‑colored humor that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Why the buzz?
The FIRST International Film Festival – a powerhouse in the region – is all about spotlighting emerging Sinophile cinema. Drifting fits right in, showcasing fresh talent that’s rewriting what the world thinks about Asian storytelling.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Film festivals and awards: mm2movies
