From the award-winning Macau director of Sisterhood, the latest feature from Tracy Choi, Girlfriends, will celebrate its world premiere at the 30th Busan International Film Festival. The film has been selected for the newly launched Vision – Asia section, dedicated to highlighting innovative and emerging voices across the continent.
Produced by Serendipity Films (Estela Valdivieso Chen), Playhouse Limited (Jacqueline Liu), and Lumiere Films, with co-production support from One Cool Connect and Golden Scene(also Asia Sales), and financing from the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA). Girlfriends reunites Choi with acclaimed actresses Fish Liew and Jennifer Yu after their celebrated collaboration on Sisterhood. They star alongside Natalie Hsu, Elizabeth Tang, and newcomer Chi Chen, who will all be in attendance at the Busan premiere and Q&A.
Girlfriends marks the first film from Macau ever selected for Busan International Film Festival, a breakthrough moment for the territory’s cinematic presence on the global stage.
The film also stands out as a cross-border collaboration between Macau, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, with heads of department drawn from all three regions. Significantly, the project boasts a high participation of female filmmakers across key creative roles — from directing and producing to writing, cinematography, production design, editing, and beyond — underscoring its spirit as an authentic female-led work both on and off screen.
A mosaic of memory, desire, and love, Girlfriends follows one woman across three defining stages of her life—at 17, 22, and 34—as she revisits her most formative relationships. Filmed in Macau, Taipei, and Hong Kong, the film unfolds in three chapters, exploring queer female identity, creative longing, and emotional courage. Each era reflects a distinct version of the self: from idealistic rebellion, to romantic hesitation, to a mature confrontation with the realities of adulthood.
“This film is a return, emotionally and creatively, for all of us,” says director Tracy Choi. “It reflects the spaces we grew through and the people we became.”
Theatrical release is planned for Spring 2026 in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, with additional territories to follow. The production of Girlfriends was made possible with the support of FILME SUBSIDIADO PELO 4.º PROGRAMA DE APOIO À PRODUÇÃO CINEMATOGRÁFICA DE LONGAS METRAGENS DO INSTITUTO CULTURAL DO GOVERNO DA REGIÃO ADMINISTRATIVA ESPECIAL DE MACAU and is sponsored by MGM, whose commitment to cultural exchange and artistic excellence has been instrumental in bringing the project to life.
Busan Screenings
The film will have 4 total public screening times at BIFF, including its official premiere with cast and crew Q&A.
Press & Industry Screening:
September 19, 16:00 – Busan Cinema Center, Indieplus
World Premiere:
September 20 (Sat), 16:30 – LOTTE CINEMA Centum City 5 (Public + Q&A)
Additional Public Screenings:
September 21 (Sun), 12:10 – LOTTE CINEMA Centum City 4
September 23 (Tue), 09:00 – CGV Centum City 6
September 25 (Thu), 19:00 – Busan Community Media Center
EPK: Girlfriends_EPK_EN_BIFF
ASIA SALES:
Golden Scene – Sales and Acquisition, Felix Tsang
felix@goldenscene.com | +852 9779 1826
WORLDWIDE EXCL ASIA
Serendipity Films – Producer, Estela Valdivieso Chen
estelav@sfilms.com.tw | +886 972 282 353
PRESS & PRODUCTION CONTACT
Serendipity Films- Production Manager, Judy Lien
judylien@sfilms.com.tw | +886 972 117 594