14/08/2026
ASEAN Film Festival 2026: Timor-Leste participates for the first time, showcasing its Intangible Cultural Heritage
Timor-Leste will participate for the first time in this year’s edition of the ASEAN Film Festival (AFF 2026, English acronym), which will take place in Hong Kong from August 20 to 27. The festival will feature a selection of over 30 films from all 11 ASEAN countries, , including Timor-Leste’s debut, with free screenings and cultural show cases.
Timor-Leste is represented through the film produced by Grazela Maria Albino, a documentary that explores the cultural and spiritual significance of the ‘’Uma Lulik’’ (Sacred Houses) in Timor-Leste. It serves as a powerful symbol of Timorese identity passed down through generations. The documentary highlights the distinct architectural features of the ‘’Uma Lulik’’, such as the male and female wooden pillars (Ai-rin Mane and Ai-rin Feto), which carry deep cultural meanings. It explains the differences between Uma Lulik and Uma Fukun—clan support houses—and Uma To’os, sacred houses used by Timorese communities living in urban areas like Dili. The documentaries about 'The Rise of Genre Tebe and Babadok Instrument production will also be shown.
The fourth edition of the ASEAN Film Festival (AFF) 2026 is organized by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation and will be held across multiple venues in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Palace Museum, M+ Cinema, Asia Society HK Center, Tai Kwun, Emperor Cinemas, and the Sky (Olympian City) from August 20 to September 27. This year marks the largest program to date, presenting over 30 films from all 11 ASEAN member countries, alongside selected works from China, Australia, Pakistan, Russia, and other nations.
