Past Events
Project Sifu (2025) Film Screening and Workshop
A Documentary and Short Film
Directed by Wayne Wong
January 16, 2026
Film Screening and Participatory Workshop with Dr. Wayne Wong (Lecturer in East Asian Studies, University of Sheffield and director of Project Sifu)
MALCS Class of 2025
December 5, 2025
CONGRATULATIONS MALCS Class of 2025!!! We are so proud of you! This year's Congregation was held on December 5, 2025. We are delighted to celebrate and witness this memorable event.
African-American Cinema: Then and Now
2 lecture/screenings by Richard Peña, Visiting Professor, University of Hong Kong
Parallel with its struggle to achieve full political rights, the US African-American community fought to make its image seen and its voices heard in that most dynamic of American art forms, the Hollywood cinema. For most people, even for dedicated cinephiles, the African-American cinema began with the first works in the 1980s of Spike Lee, John Singleton or Julie Dash. Some with longer memories might recall the films with stars such as Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte or Eartha Kitt from the 1950s. But in fact there has been an active African-American cinema since the silent era, a cinema produced by and for the African-American community and almost completely unknown to other Americans. These films included comedies, westerns, horror films, religious films and especially musicals; even when shot with minimal budgets, the best of these films exhibited impressive innovation, powerful social criticism and the development of a uniquely African-American film aesthetic. Even as we celebrate today the increasing participation of African Americans and other US minority communities in the film and television industries, the spirit of those early African-American independents continues to live on, offering a decidedly distinct perspective on life and society in the contemporary United States.
PROGRAM 1: Faded Glory: The First African-American Cinema, 1912-1952
Date:
October 22, 2025 (Wed)
Time:
3:00 - 5:30 PM
Venue:
RRS 321, 3/F, Run Run Shaw Building, Main Campus, HKU
For this illustrated lecture, Columbia University Professor Emeritus Richard Peña will trace a history of this little-known corner of American cinema, moving from the silent era to the movement’s high point in the 1930s, with clips from key films as well as a screening of Spencer Williams’ 1941 THE BLOOD OF JESUS (56 minutes), a work included in the US Library of Congress’s registry of the most significant works of American film art. Following that screening, Prof. Peña will offer a brief analysis of the film as well as address audience questions.
PROGRAM 2: RESIDUE, 2022, Merawi Gerima, 90 min
Date:
October 28, 2025 (Tues)
Time:
3:30 - 6:00 PM
Venue:
RRS 321, 3/F, Run Run Shaw Building, Main Campus, HKU
An aspiring filmmaker, Jay returns to his Washington DC neighborhood after years of being away, hoping to make a movie about the world in which he was raised. It soon becomes clear, however, that much of that world is gone: many of his childhood friends have become bitter middle-aged men, battered by the social and economic forces from which Jay had escaped years before. Moreover, the neighborhood has been “discovered,” with middle-class, mostly white homebuyers moving in, slowly forcing out the area’s longtime African-American residents. Few recent American films have had the courage to take on such a complex, sensitive political issue; even fewer have approached such subjects with the grace, insight, compassion and poetry as RESIDUE, the debut feature of native Washingtonian Merawi Gerima. Professor Peña will introduce the film and lead a post-screening discussion.
About Prof. Richard Peña
Richard Peña is an Emeritus Professor of Film and Media Studies at Columbia University, where he specialized in film theory and international cinema. From 1988 to 2012, he was the Program Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Director of the New York Film Festival. At the Film Society, Richard Peña organized retrospectives of many film artists, including Michelangelo Antonioni, Abbas Kiarostami, King Hu, Robert Aldrich, Roberto Gavaldon, Ritwik Ghatak, Kira Muratova, Youssef Chahine, Yasujiro Ozu, Carlos Saura, Nagisa Oshima and Amitabh Bachchan, as well as major film series devoted to African, Cuban, Polish, Hungarian, Spanish, Chinese, Hong Kong, Arab, Korean, Swedish, Turkish, and Argentine cinema. In 2009, Peña co-curated at Lincoln Center the largest exhibition of early African-American cinema ever organized. Together with Unifrance, Peña created Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in 1995, the largest showcase for contemporary French film in North America.
A frequent lecturer on film internationally, in 2014-2015, he was a Visiting Professor in Brazilian Studies at Princeton; in 2015-2016 a Visiting Professor in Film Studies at Harvard; and in 2022 a Visiting Professor in Art History at La Sorbonne. He has also taught courses at Beijing University, Gedai Art Institute (Tokyo), la Universidad de Cine (Buenos Aires), the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Universidad Católica de Chile, and the University of São Paulo. In May 2016, he was the recipient of the “Cathedra Bergman” award at UNAM in Mexico City, where he offered a three-part lecture series “On the Margins of American Cinema.” In 2024, he was the Walt Disney Professor of American Art and Culture at Tsinghua University in Beijing, and in Spring 2025 was a Visiting Professor at Georgetown University Qatar.
Inner and Outer Care: Planetary and Meditative Pathways
Date: October 13, 2025 (Monday)
Symposium
SPEAKERS:
Hannes BERGTHALLER
National Taiwan Normal University
Mental Health, Ecological Integrity, and the Attention Economy: A Systems-Theoretical Perspective
Chia-ju CHANG
Brooklyn College, CUNY
The CARE Curriculum: Inner and Outer Pathways for Personal and Planetary Transformation
Li-hsin HSU
National Chengchi University
Romantic Reverie as Ecological Imagination
Casper Bruun JENSEN
Chulalongkorn University
Planetary Care and an Ecology of World Models
Pei-ying LIN
National Chengchi University
Green Care and Buddhist Healing: An Experimental Forest Retreat
LU Shuyuan
Huanghe Science and Technology College & Ecological Culture Research Center
Seeking Purity within the Xuanlan Leads to Purity in the World: A Cosmological Interpretation of Contemplation and Meditation (*Presentation in Mandarin)
TENG Wei-jen
Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts
Cognition, Emotion, and Care in Buddhist Meditation
MALCS Graduate Show 2025
Exhibition period: June 5 - 8 2025
EHIBITION
Faculty of Arts Press Release!!!
The exhibition features artworks of various mediums, including painting, photography, poetry, prose and art pieces in digital form. This year, in its very first edition, the exhibition explores the theme of identity and space. The exhibition shows 20 artworks created by 17 student artists from MALCS.
Exhibition Period June 5 – 8 2025 | 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Thursday - Sunday)
Venue HKU Arts Tech Lab, CPD - 4.35, 4/F, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU
MALCS Graduate Show 2025
[INVITATION]
Step into a world where identity, memory, and modernity intertwine. MALCS Graduate Show 2025 brings together a vibrant constellation of creative projects, each exploring the shifting boundaries between self and society, tradition and transformation, the physical and the virtual.
Through photography, painting, film, literature, and digital media, these works invite you to reconsider the spaces we inhabit—both within and around us. From poetic diaries of insomnia and surrealist meditations on cultural duality, to evocative portraits of Hong Kong’s cinematic icons and the ruins of post-industrial cities, each piece is a meditation on belonging, alienation, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
Personal narratives illuminate the fluidity of gender and the power of costume, while documentary and illustration capture the resilience of diasporic journeys and fading traditions. The paradox of digital connection and emotional isolation is rendered in vivid color, as artists traverse the liminal zones between the real and the imagined.
Together, these works form a dialogue across time and space—between past and present, East and West, memory and modernity. They invite us to reflect on how we shape, and are shaped by, the spaces we occupy, and to find resonance in the complexities of the human experience.
Exhibition Period June 5 – 8, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Thursday - Sunday)
Venue HKU Arts Tech Lab, CPD - 4.35, 4/F, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU
Visitor Arrangements
Open to public. All are WELCOME! Free admission. Pre-registration required two days in advance for non-HKU visitors.
Registration link:
https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eKdiZNWxjTL7by6
MALCS Graduate Show 2025
[CALL FOR ARTISTS]
Tentative event period: First week of June
Proposal Submission (First round): 5 Mar to 31 Mar, 2025
Final Artiwork Submission Deadline: 18 May, 2025
All forms of art are welcomed, please refer to the poster for application procedures.
MALCS Alumni Workshop 2025 (May 15)
May 15, 2025
A PhD Chat with Prof. Gray Kochhar-Lindgren
Workshop Facilitator: Prof. Gray Kochhar-Lindgren
Pursuing a Professional Career in Journalism: Jacky Lin
Workshop Facilitator: Jacky Lin
Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 15:00 - 16:30
Venue: CPD 3.01, HKU
Format: Onsite
Please register at the poster.
Please come and join us!
MALCS Alumni Workshop 2025 (May 14)
May 14, 2025
Navigating Your Career Journey: The MALCS Graduate's Roadmap
Workshop Facilitator: Julianne Bjørk Yang
Date: May 14, 2025
Time (3 sessions, 8-12 students per session): 9 - 10:30 am | 1 - 2:30 pm | 5 - 6:30 pm
Format: Online
Please come and join us!
MALCS Alumni Workshop 2025 (March 12)
March 12, 2025
On March 12, 2025, Master of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies (MALCS) held the first MALCS Alumni Workshop in 2025 for current MALCS students. The Workshop, titled “Graduate School and Professional Career”, was facilitated by six MALCS Alumni. Darius Tang and Nicola Ulaan Wan shared their experiences on graduate school; while Christy Chow, Charlie Fung, Habibi Wang, and Gillian Yu presented their professional careers.
The event had a great turnout. It was a success!!! Check out the photo gallery below!
MALCS Alumni Workshop 2025
March 12, 2025
HKU MALCS is committed to facilitating career development pathways for students transitioning from university to the arts and cultural sectors. We are pleased to inform that local organizations including Broadway Cinematheque, CHAT (Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile), Nose in the Books, and networks of our distinguished alumni, have expressed interest in offering potential summer internship positions specifically for MALCS students. We would like to take this opportunity to announce additional details with attendees during the upcoming MALCS Alumni Workshop, and registrants will be prioritized for MALCS internship opportunities.
Please join the MALCS Alumni Workshop on Graduate School & Professional Career, a special event designed to connect current students with alumni for invaluable insights into academic pathways and career growth.
Event Details:
Date: March 12, 2025 (Wednesday)
Time: 17:00 – 20:00
Venue: CBC LG1/F, HKU
Format: Onsite
Language: English
The workshop will feature:
- Alumni sharing sessions on navigating graduate school and professional fields (please refer to attached list of speakers)
- Interactive Q&A opportunities
- Networking time with peers and alumni
- Light refreshments and drinks will be served
Spaces are limited and early registration is encouraged. To secure your spot, kindly complete the registration form by 2:00 PM on Friday, 7 March 2025.
This is a fantastic opportunity to gain firsthand advice from alumni across diverse industries and academic disciplines. Whether you are considering further studies or planning your career journey, this workshop will equip you with practical strategies and connections. Please note that registrants of MALCS Alumni Workshop will be prioritized for MALCS internship opportunities.
MALCS Class of 2024!!!
November 23, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS MALCS Class of 2024!!! The HKU 213th Congregation was held on November 23, 2024. We are delighted to celebrate and witness this memorable event. It has been an amazing journey and successful 2024.
We are so proud of you MALCS 2024 Graduates! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
A Documentary Film Festival:
Documenting Hong Kong 紀錄香港
20 September – 29 November, 2024
Documenting Hong Kong 紀錄香港 is a brand new documentary film screening program organized in Fall 2024/25 by MALCS, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) to celebrate and promote the vibrant documentary film culture of Hong Kong. This initiative aims to bring the works of local documentarians across generations to the HKU community and beyond, showcasing the rich, contemporary, and diverse non-fiction narratives of the city.
From Sept to Nov 2024, MALCS, HKU organized the inaugeral Documenting Hong Kong Film Festival, screened 8 documentaries, including 2 feastures and 6 shorts at HKU. The 8 documentary films not only showcased vibrant culture of the city, but also the diversity of the documentary landscape in HK.
We are honoured and pleased to have invited 11 guest speakers participated in the 4 post-screening Q&As, including 8 filmmakers, 2 film scholars and 1 protagonist. We would like to thanks once again to all of them for participating in and elevating the discussion with our engaged audience.
Thanks to all the guest speakers who partipated in the post-screening Q&As:
Liu Wai-tong (Poet/Protagonist of Elegies)
Dr. Fiona Law (Film Scholar, HKU)
Dunet Chan Sheung Shing (Director of Still Life)
Dr. Esther Yau, (Film Scholar, HKU)
Chan Hau Chun 陳巧真 (Director of 32+4 and Call Me Mrs. Chan 叫我陳太)
Chui Chi Yin 徐智彥 (Director of Call Me Mrs. Chan 叫我陳太)
Jo Cheng 鄭藹如 (Director of Via Dolorosa 苦路)
Tammy Cheung 張虹 (Director of Rice Distribution 平安米)
Ma Chi Hang 馬智恆 (Director of Chuen Kee Ferry 全記渡)
(Fredie Chan 陳浩倫 (Director of Rhymes of Shui Hau 水口婆婆的山歌)
Dr. Chloe Lai 黎穎詩博士, (Executive Producer of Rhymes of Shui Hau 水口婆婆的山歌)
All of the screenings acheived great turnouts and audience's participation. The total number of attendees of all 4 screenings was over 300.
We would like to thanks all the people who helped in the organization of this film festival. Special thanks to Dr. Winnie Yee, the Programme Coordinator of MALCS, for her unwavering support, as well as Ms. Amy Kwan and Ms. Christina Chow, the Programme Officers of MALCS, and the website/poster designer Jonathan Chan for their hard work and dedication to assist in organizing this film festival.
Last but not least, our MALCS student/alumni helpers also contributed in the organization of the screenings. Without each one of you, these screenings would not have been possible. Let's continue to elevate the art of documentary cinema and leep the spirit of meaningful dialogue alive. Thank you for being a vital part of this enriching experience. We hope to see you again in the future. Thank you!
Please visit the Documentary Hong Kong wesite and photo gallery here:
MALCS 2024-2025 Orientation
September 21, 2024
WELCOME MALCS students! On September 21, 2024, MALCS held a Tram Ride Welcoming Orientation for the 2024-2025 cohort. Click on the link below to view the photo gallery of the event!
"The Shanzhai Paradigm: China's Approach to Innovation and the World"
June 26, 2024
On June 26, 2024, Dr. Jason Lau presented his talk entitled "The Shanzhai Paradigm: China's Approach to Innovation and the World" to MALCS students in Prof. Calvin Hui's MALCS Intensive Summer course.
Alumni Workshops
May 9 and May 10, 2024
MALCS organized two Alumni Workshops for MALCS students on May 9 and 10, 2024. The first focused on Graduate School and Studying Abroad and the second session on Pursuing a Professional Career. In these wokshops, the invited MALCS Alumni shared their experience and provided professional advice to current students.
Memories, Storytelling, and Intermediality in the Film World of Qiu Jiongjiong 邱炯炯
Symposium, Screenings, and Post-screening discussions
March 15 – 19, 2024
Organized by the Master of Arts in Literature and Cultural Studies (MALCS), The Department of Comparative Literature at the University of Hong Kong; a symposium, three screening sessions, and post-screening discussions will be held to focus on the films of Qiu Jiongjiong 邱炯炯. The series of events take place on March 15 (Friday), March 18 (Monday), and March 19 (Tuesday).
"The Lyricist Wannabe" Screening and Post-Screening Event!
January 24, 2024
On January 24, 2024, MALCS, The Department of Comparative Literature, and Hong Kong Studies Programme co-organized a screening and post-screening discussion of “The Lyricist Wannabe” (directed by Norris Wong 黃綺琳) with CEDARS-GE.
MALCS Class of 2023!!!
November 19, 2023
CONGRATULATIONS MALCS Class of 2023!!! We are so proud of you! The 211th Congregation for the Faculty of Arts, HKU took place on November 19, 2023 and we had a wonderful photo taking session. Click below to view photos of our graduates.
Thinking Islands: Exploring the Sea and the Land in Literature, Film and Philosophy
The University of Hong Kong
Department of Comparative Literature
organized by: Master of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies (MALCS)
ONE DAY SYMPOSIUM
DATE: October 6, 2023 (Fri)
TIME: 15:00-17:45
VENUE: Learning Lab, RRS 321, 3/F, Run Run Shaw Building, Main Campus, HKU
At this symposium we study the lives the island gives rise to. At the threshold where land and sea meet, the island has always been seen as a place for a new fertility, the breeding ground for a life otherwise. Deleuze and Guattari emphasized that the Greek islands (and the Aegean Sea that connects them) that gave rise to philosophy as we know it. Glissant spoke of archipelagic thinking when he aimed to shed a light on the (unknown) powers of the Caribbean and its possible futures (beyond colonialism). With a special interest in the islands of East and Southeast Asia, the aim of this symposium is to study narratives in fiction and non-fiction and the kinds of island-lives these images and texts enable. In what way do they allow us to reread the many rich traditions in thought that have emerged from their liquid grounds? Which new directions in thought, are these un/known territories unfolding in out time and what can they teach us about the world of today and tomorrow?
MALCS 2023-2024 Orientation
August 28, 2023
WELCOME all students to the new academic year! On August 28, 2023, MALCS held an Academic Orientation for the incoming 2023-2024 cohort. Click on the link below to view the photo gallery of the event!
Keep Rolling: Independent Filmmaking Project | 動態 Rollingー獨立電影拍攝計劃
Directors: Lo Yan Chi, Kingston Chow, Jason Yiu, Erica Kwok
Language: Cantonese, English, Minnan (with Chinese and English Subtitles)
Trailer: https://fb.watch/iY3Kt_8Q3p/?mibextid=v7YzmG
導演： 羅恩賜，周敬勤，姚敏堃，郭頌儀
語言: 粵語、英語、閩南語對白 (中英文字幕)
預告片：https://fb.watch/iY3Kt_8Q3p/?mibextid=v7YzmG
Film Screening followed by Q&A with the producer and directors
Date and Time: April 6, 2023 (6:30-9:30pm)
Venue: Meng Wah T6, The University of Hong Kong
Moderator: Dr. Fiona Law, The Department of Comparative Literature
Post-screening discussion conducted in Cantonese
Inequality on Film: Cinema of Our Time
HKU MALCS Symposium
www.cinequality.org
Under the guidance of Dr. Derek Lam, students and alumni of the MALCS (Master of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies) programme at the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Comparative Literature will participate in a year-long series of workshops and guest events engaging in critical discussions of key films addressing inequality from the past decade.
The project's website (URL: cinequality.org) will serve as an online resource freely available to all intended to spread public awareness of the subject. It will be updated with articles as events take place, including interviews, talks, and presentations with film critics, scholars, and filmmakers. The website will be unveiled at the programme launch event.
