From iconic action sequences to modern romance, Hong Kong cinema gets three days in the spotlight.
- Six Hong Kong films bring action, animation and romance to Dubai.
- Jackie Chan’s Police Story gets a special outdoor screening at Alserkal.
- Actor Yukki Tai joins audiences for a post-screening discussion.
- Tickets cost AED 67.20 per person across the festival programme.
There’s something particularly appealing about swapping a traditional cinema seat for an open-air screening on a cool November evening. With Dubai’s outdoor entertainment season picking up, film lovers have another reason to head towards Alserkal Avenue. The Hong Kong Film Gala returns from 6 to 8 November 2026, bringing six films that explore everything from explosive action and dark comedy to animation, psychological thrillers and modern romance.
Celebrating its sixth consecutive year in Dubai, the presentation is organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy in collaboration with Cinema Akil. This edition also takes cinema outdoors, with a special screening of Jackie Chan’s Police Story beneath the night sky at The Yard, Alserkal Avenue. A different kind of movie night awaits.
Friday, 6 November: Action takes centre stage
Fans of classic Hong Kong action cinema can kick off the weekend with Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024), directed by Soi Cheang. Screening at Cinema Akil in 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central, the film revisits the gritty world of the long-demolished Kowloon Walled City through elaborate fight choreography, striking visuals and a story rooted in friendship and survival.
It has quite a reputation. The film became the second highest-grossing domestic release in Hong Kong history and collected eight awards at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards.
Saturday, 7 November: Dark comedy, legendary stunts and suspense
A frustrating customer service experience becomes an unlikely hostage situation in Dog Day Evening (2026), directed by MAK Tin Shu. Screening at 4pm at Cinema Akil, Alserkal Avenue, the dark comedy follows Takky, whose attempt to resolve a subscription problem spirals into chaos involving executives and police negotiators. Actor Yukki Tai, who plays the lead, will attend a post-screening Q&A.
At 7pm, the action moves outdoors. Jackie Chan’s Police Story (1985) screens at The Yard, bringing its legendary practical stunts, physical comedy and gravity-defying choreography to an open-air setting.
The evening continues indoors at 9pm with Dead End (2026), Isabella Lam Lok-hin’s feature directorial debut. This psychological thriller follows a computer programmer whose life takes a disturbing turn after a teenager appears claiming to be his brother, forcing him to confront buried family trauma.
Sunday afternoon begins at 4pm with Another World (2025), an animated feature directed by Tommy Ng Kai Chung. Seven years of dedicated production went into creating this visually ambitious story exploring death, grief, anger and the space between life and rebirth.
At 7pm, The Dating Menu (2026) brings the festival to a romantic close. Directed by Amos Why and Frankie Chung, the film follows Link, an omakase chef navigating modern dating, where algorithms, first dates and carefully prepared meals become part of the search for connection.
Food takes on a starring role. Through Link’s culinary experiences, the film explores Hong Kong’s diverse food culture and the changing nature of relationships in modern cities.
For Dubai’s independent cinema community, the festival also offers an opportunity to experience stories that might not usually find space on mainstream screens. Cinema Akil founder Butheina Kazim highlights the programme’s evolving partnership, particularly its move towards outdoor screenings and its continued celebration of inventive Hong Kong filmmaking.
Presented with financial support from Hong Kong’s Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, Film Development Fund and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai, the event connects two creative communities through cinema.
Whether it’s Jackie Chan’s unforgettable stunts, a thought-provoking animation or a romantic story served with omakase, there’s a film worth discovering this weekend. Screenings run from 6 to 8 November, with tickets priced at AED 67.20. Explore the programme and book through Cinema Akil.
