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The Hong Kong drama 'Afterpiece', produced by Derek Yee and directed by debut filmmaker Keane T.K. Wong, will have its world premiere as the opening film of the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, set to run from June 12 to 21.
The announcement was highlighted during a press conference held Thursday morning at the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus, where officials presented the upcoming Chinese Film Week and outlined key highlights from this year’s festival lineup.
'Afterpiece' follows Owen, once a successful theater director who has been stuck in a creative rut for more than a decade.
When his former partner returns and tries to rekindle their relationship while his wife begins to drift toward infidelity, Owen decides to turn his personal turmoil into art, writing, directing, and starring in a new stage production.
But as he auditions for the lead female role, he becomes drawn to Hannah, a young actress making her debut. As the production develops, the line between theater and reality begins to blur, pulling him deeper into emotional and psychological conflict.
According to *Variety*, the cast includes Stephen Fung, Chrissie Chau, Myolie Wu and Angela Yuen.
The film was developed through Hong Kong’s “Director Succession Scheme,” a government-backed initiative designed to pair established filmmakers with emerging talent to strengthen the future of the local film industry.
Under the program, veteran filmmaker Derek Yee served as producer-mentor, guiding Wong through the production process and passing on years of industry experience. Wong had previously worked on projects including 'I Am Somebody', 'Sword Master' and 'In Search of Lost Time'.
The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is organized under the guidance of China’s State Film Administration, in cooperation with China Media Group and the Shanghai municipal government.
