On 9 October 2026, HKUArts successfully organised "From Hong Kong to Hollywood: The Art of Hong Kong Action — Masterclass with Dion Lam" at the Arts Tech Lab, welcoming over 40 students for an unforgettable behind-the-scenes journey into the world of action filmmaking.
Renowned action director Dion Lam shared insights of his remarkable career, spanning Hong Kong cinema and major Hollywood productions. From his early days as a stunt performer and actor to becoming an acclaimed action director, Lam reflected on the evolution of Hong Kong action and martial arts cinema and its enduring influence on global filmmaking.
A highlight of the masterclass was the Live Action Demonstration & Real-Time Editing Challenge. Guided by Lam and his stunt team, students were divided into three groups and tasked with planning, filming, and editing their own one-minute action sequences within just two hours. Participants gained hands-on experience in action cinematography, learning how to "find the lens," frame dynamic movements, and capturing footage with the edit in mind.
The energy and enthusiasm throughout the session were truly inspiring. One team was so committed to perfecting their project that they continued editing overnight to further enhance their final cut!
The masterclass is part of the Arts Industry Bridge initiative by HKU Faculty of Arts. This unique workshop offered a valuable opportunity for students to engage directly with an industry veteran, deepen their understanding of action filmmaking, and explore potential pathways within the creative industries.
A huge thank you to Dion Lam and Roy Chow for bringing this exceptional learning experience to our students.
Photo credit: Yanni Gong
For media enquiries, please contact the Faculty of Arts at artscomm@hku.hk.

