Bowling over Busan

The actor's achievement was among the highlights for Hong Kong at the BIFF, which closed on Oct 14 and over the course of its 10 days screened 242 films from 71 countries and regions.

The festival has earned a reputation over the years for identifying and supporting emerging talent and trends from the region, and for presenting them to an international audience.

In handing Ling the Rising Star award and by drawing attention to In Geek We Trust, the BIFF gave Hong Kong talent a chance to share the limelight with global streaming sensations such as Squid Game and Extraordinary Attorney Woo. The ACAs also saw a Best Actress nomination for Gigi Leung (The Parents League) and a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Sham Ka-ki (In Geek We Trust).

Eye on Hong Kong

These latest awards were just another sign of the times, given that streaming content is embraced by the film industry worldwide, fueled by a global audience ravenous for new content. The BIFF got in on the act early, with the ACAs — which launched in 2019 — aiming to identify and celebrate success stories and stars from the region, while its concurrent Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) looks to generate more business for the region's creators, including those from Hong Kong.

"In recent years, I've seen many new film and TV professionals producing more and more innovative and creative films and TV dramas," says Ling. "I'm pleased that people around the world pay attention to Hong Kong productions and offer us such incredible recognition. This is heartening and encouraging news for the Hong Kong film and TV industry.

"Living in the international city of Hong Kong, we can learn from others as we have plentiful resources for creative production. (Given) the passion and efforts of our film and TV practitioners, I'm sure we'll have more productions that are as successful in the future."

In Geek We Trust is very much a success of the times, its plot revolving around Shun and his efforts to get a business started in the face of often insurmountable odds.

"Hong Kong seems like a place offering many opportunities, but it's not always easy to make dreams come true," says Ling. "In Geek We Trust was released during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many businesses were forced to shut down and many people were forced to give up on their dreams. This is a down-to-earth story, and I hope it can encourage those facing difficulties and obstacles."

Ling reveals that he was able to draw on some very personal experiences, both in building the Shun character and working out how he might react in situations he finds himself in during the series.

"I have some experience in starting a business," the actor explains. "During the pandemic, my jobs were gone. I tried to launch some creative productions, but the pandemic shut everything down. I planned a theater production but the performance venues were closed. Looking at my bank statement, I could see that my savings were dwindling, but I still wanted to pursue my dream. … I believe many people have been through similarly gloomy days."