Outside the Box [Office] and HKOSFF Present
 

The 3nd Hong Kong On Screen Film Festival screening of

MY HONG KONG DIARIES IN 2022

Directed by Hester Kwok

7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025

The Eileen Norris Cinema Theater at the Frank Sinatra Hall
3507 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90007

FREE ADMISSION. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVP REQUIRED.
RSVPs ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE.

FOOD AND DRINKS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN THE AUDITORIUM.
 

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Accompanied by the short film,
The World is Not Enough (19 min.)

Learn more about The 3rd Hong Kong On Screen Film Festival at: https://www.hkosff.net/
 

About My Hong Kong Diaries in 2022

In 2022, while living and working in Hong Kong, I started writing daily about my experiences. The previous year, inspired by the weekly online film discussions at "Caochangdi Workstation," I finally took my neglected camera out of the closet and began capturing everything around me. Together, my writing and visual documentation created a tangible memoir of my life in 2022.

Director's Statement:
A person and their world can feel profoundly lonely. As ordinary individuals, we are often shaken by the tides of society, drifting like rootless weeds carried downstream. When connections between people grow cold and sparse, we retreat into our own cocoons, wrapping ourselves in layers of impenetrable armor, isolating ourselves from the outside world.

Words reveal my thoughts and feelings, allowing me to observe myself from a distance, while images document my experiences, helping me to understand my circumstances.

Perhaps everyone is ultimately an "island," but in reality, no one is wholly self-sufficient; each of us is a part of a larger whole. "Reality" acts like a beam of light illuminating the depths, providing the strength needed to break free from our cocoons.

-- Hester Kwok

Running time: 115 minutes. In Mandarin, with Chinese and English subtitles.

https://www.hkosff.net/my-hong-kong-diaries-2025

About The World is Not Enough

The short film captures the memory of an apartment and its surroundings: a young adult man lives his daily life, a journalist interviews a retired novelist who grapples with the idea of the end of the world, and two young boys searching for portals. Three storylines intertwine as the film progresses.

Director's Statement:
I made this short film when I found out that my parents had to sell our apartment to fund my college tuition. The best thing I could do was to commemorate the place I grew up in by making a film there. I believe cinema is the best medium to capture my love and nostalgia for my neighborhood and what was there, what was lost, and what was remembered from that specific place and time. And from this imagery, I hope that viewers don’t just understand but feel the place as a living being.

-- Enoch Lai

Running time: 19 minutes. In Cantonese, with Chinese and English subtitles.

https://www.hkosff.net/the-world-is-not-enough-2025

About the 3rd Hong Kong On Screen Film Festival

The Hong Kong On Screen Film Festival (HKOSFF) enters its third year, and once again, our team of volunteers is asking the same question: This year, what more can we do?

In 2025, the world is steeped in turmoil. Some look up and see missiles streaking across the sky. Some, lost and unsure of the road ahead, choose to retreat and disengage. Yet others, even in the face of hardship, continue to move forward with hope.

In the world of cinema, amid sweeping global changes and shifting viewing habits, Hong Kong film is enduring an unprecedented winter. But no matter how fierce the storm, Hong Kong’s filmmakers remain steadfast, doing all they can to keep the flame of this cultural legacy alive.

We often see others appearing unscathed under the sun, striving with all their might. Yet the vulnerability and emotions of those turned away from the light rarely enter the public eye. This year, the HKOSFF takes the theme “A Tale of Shadows,” hoping to share with you—through the unique lens of film—a world that may not be radiant, but is deeply human and filled with warmth.

Thank you for your continued support of Hong Kong On Screen. See you at the cinema this August!

About Outside the Box [Office]

Outside the Box [Office] is a weekly showcase for upcoming releases highlighting world cinema, documentary and independent film titles. The series draws from around the globe to present movies that may challenge, inspire or simply entertain.

To view the calendar of screenings, click here

To SUBSCRIBE to our MAILING LIST for upcoming free screenings and events, e-mail the word "Subscribe" to: aago@cinema.usc.edu
 

Check-In & Reservations

This program is open to all eligible individuals. The USC School of Cinematic Arts operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.

This screening is free of charge and open to the public. A reservation confirmation will automatically be sent to your e-mail account upon successfully making an RSVP through this website. Doors will open at 6:30 P.M.

All SCA screenings are OVERBOOKED to ensure seating capacity in the theater, therefore seating is not guaranteed based on RSVPs. The RSVP list will be checked in on a first-come, first-served basis until the theater is full. Once the theater has reached capacity, we will no longer be able to admit guests, regardless of RSVP status.

Accessibility Needs

Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to attend this event may contact Alessandro Ago, Assistant Dean, Programming and Special Events, at aago@cinema.usc.edu or 213-740-2330. It is requested that individuals requiring accommodations or auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify us at least seven days prior to the event. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.

Parking

On-campus parking at the University of Southern California is limited. We recommend buying a day pass for the Royal Street Structure, located at the intersection of Royal Street and W. Jefferson Blvd. Parking passes are $20/car. For more information about parking at USC, please visit USC Transportation Website:

https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/daily-and-hourly-parking/
https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/about-us/entrance-hours/

Contact Information

Name: Alessandro Ago
Email: aago@cinema.usc.edu