Hong Kong has held one of the longest continuously running major international film festivals in the Asian region since 1976; since then, several dozen annual large and small film festivals, together with special film programmes have drawn in tens of thousands in terms of attendance, entertaining audiences and cinephiles alike. In comparison with other cultural events, film festivals are participated by the widest number of audiences, an intrinsic nature of the cinema as an art form designed to be projected, shown, and enjoyed by the masses.

Despite its popularity, there has been few local academic courses which looks at the various aspects associated with a film festival, its cultural and economic impact, the role it plays in the local and regional film industry; not to mention the complex logistic and planning involved. The course will also look at programming for art house, repertoire cinema, and non-theatrical special screenings such as stage performances and other live events.