Hong Kong's M+ museum of contemporary visual culture will launch the inaugural M+ Restored Festival this autumn, a three-year project to restore and re-screen landmark Hong Kong New Wave films. Supported by CHANEL, the festival runs in November and December 2026 at M+ Cinema, presenting nine restored features spanning the late 1960s to the early 2000s.
The films have already travelled widely, premiering at Cannes, Venice, New York and other major festivals, and screening in 44 cities worldwide. The M+ Restored Festival marks a homecoming for these works, which have helped reintroduce Hong Kong cinema to international audiences. For travel professionals, the event adds another cultural anchor to Hong Kong's autumn calendar, complementing the city's broader appeal as a destination for arts-driven itineraries.
Pairing classics with contemporary voices
The festival pairs each restored classic with a contemporary film from Hong Kong or the Chinese Mainland, highlighting enduring themes across generations. Notable pairings include Ann Hui's The Story of Woo Viet with Chan Kin-long's Hand Rolled Cigarette, and Yim Ho's Homecoming with Bai Xue's The Crossing. These double bills offer audiences a chance to see how today's filmmakers build on the New Wave's legacy.
Beyond screenings, the festival includes post-screening conversations with filmmakers and workshops on film restoration, giving attendees insight into the technical and creative work behind the restorations. Suhanya Raffel, Museum Director at M+, said the festival underscores M+'s role in preserving Hong Kong's moving image heritage. Silke Schmickl, CHANEL Lead Curator, added that the festival connects past and present cinematic works, creating a dialogue that resonates across cultures.
Looking ahead, a new cycle of restorations will launch in 2027, focusing on six visionary Asian films. This commitment positions M+ as a key player in preserving and promoting Asia's film heritage, which could attract cultural travellers and industry professionals to Hong Kong in the coming years.
For travel advisors and tour operators, the festival offers a fresh reason to build Hong Kong into cultural itineraries. The city's existing attractions—from its skyline to its dining scene—now gain a cinematic layer that appeals to both leisure and MICE travellers. The festival's timing in late autumn also aligns with other regional events, such as October festivals across Asia that are reshaping travel plans for 2026.
M+ itself, located in the West Kowloon Cultural District, has become a draw for contemporary art lovers. The museum's expansion into film restoration adds a new dimension to its programming, potentially boosting visitor numbers during the festival period. Hotels and travel partners may see increased demand from cultural tourists and film enthusiasts.
The festival's international reach—having already screened in 44 cities—suggests strong global interest. For airlines and travel agencies, this could translate into inbound traffic to Hong Kong, especially from markets with established film festival circuits. The pairing of restored classics with contemporary works also offers a unique selling point for travel packages that combine cinema with sightseeing.
As Hong Kong continues to position itself as a cultural hub, events like the M+ Restored Festival reinforce its status. The festival's focus on restoration and heritage aligns with broader trends in cultural tourism, where travellers seek authentic, immersive experiences. For the travel trade, this is an opportunity to craft niche itineraries that appeal to cinephiles and culture seekers.
The festival also highlights the role of private partnerships in cultural preservation. CHANEL's support underscores the luxury sector's interest in arts and heritage, which could resonate with high-end travel clients. Luxury travel advisors might consider promoting the festival as part of a bespoke Hong Kong experience, combining film screenings with premium accommodation and dining.
With the 2027 restoration cycle already announced, M+ is building a long-term programme that could become a recurring draw for international visitors. Travel professionals should monitor these developments as they plan ahead for future seasons.
