Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA)
Hong Kong's premier performing arts conservatory with a School of Film and Television that has trained leading figures in the city's legendary film industry.
Overview
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) is the city's leading conservatory for the performing arts, offering professional training in film, television, dance, drama, music, and theatre technical arts. The School of Film and Television, housed in a dedicated campus in Pok Fu Lam since 2007, provides practice-based programs in directing, acting, cinematography, producing, and screenwriting.
Hong Kong's film industry has been one of the most prolific and influential in the world, producing action cinema, martial arts films, and crime thrillers that have shaped global popular culture. HKAPA sits within this creative ecosystem, training filmmakers who carry forward the traditions of Hong Kong cinema while adapting to the changing dynamics of the regional and international market.
The Academy's interdisciplinary structure brings filmmakers together with actors, musicians, dancers, and designers under one roof. This cross-pollination of artistic disciplines enriches student work and reflects the collaborative nature of professional production.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television -- with streams in directing, screenwriting, cinematography, and producing
- Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media -- graduate production program
- Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting -- dedicated writing program
- Advanced Diploma programs -- shorter specialist tracks
What Students Should Know
HKAPA teaches in both English and Cantonese, making it more accessible to international students than many Asian film schools. The bilingual environment reflects Hong Kong's position as an international city bridging East and West.
Hong Kong's film industry has undergone significant changes in recent decades, with production increasingly oriented toward co-productions with mainland China and the broader Asian market. HKAPA graduates are well positioned to navigate this evolving landscape, and the school's alumni network extends across the Hong Kong, Chinese, and international entertainment industries.
Tuition at HKAPA is subsidized by the Hong Kong government for local students, with higher fees for non-local students. Hong Kong's cost of living is high, comparable to London or New York, and students should plan accordingly.
The school's emphasis on practice-based learning means students produce a substantial body of work during their studies. Student films regularly screen at the Hong Kong International Film Festival and other regional events.
Notable Alumni
HKAPA alumni include Alan Mak (co-director of Infernal Affairs), Anthony Wong (actor), and numerous working directors, cinematographers, and producers in the Hong Kong film and television industries.
See Also
For understanding Asian cinema markets and co-production, see International Film Markets. To explore cinematography tools, use the Depth of Field Calculator.
