In 1985, a giant object allegedly hovered over the Wah Fu housing estate in Hong Kong. It was quiet, massive, and vanished without a trace. For decades, the story remained a local mystery. Now, it is the basis for the year’s most discussed film.
Ciao UFO is finally arriving in the UK. Distributed by Central City Media, the film opens in cinemas across the country on 15 May, following a London premiere at Picturehouse Central on 9 May. It arrives with significant momentum after winning five major prizes at the 44th Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Film and Best Director.
Director Patrick Leung Pak-kin finished the movie in 2019. But it sat in a vault for six years. Financial disputes between investors kept the film from the public. During that time, the world changed. Hong Kong changed. When the film finally reached audiences in 2026, many felt the delay improved the experience. The distance allowed viewers to look back at the past with a clearer perspective.
The story of Wah Fu
The plot follows four friends who grew up in the modernist Wah Fu estate. In the 1980s, they witnessed something in the sky that they could not explain. The film tracks their lives into the mid-2000s.
Chui Tien-you, Wong You-nam, and Charlene Choi play the adult versions of the children. They find themselves tired and disillusioned. One works a mundane job as an accountant. Another chases quick money in the stock market. A third struggles with long-term illness. They are disconnected from their younger selves and from each other. The reappearance of the UFO mystery forces them to confront what they lost while growing up.
Cultural impact and awards
The film is more than a science fiction story. It is a study of how people change w hen their environment becomes unrecognizable. Critics in Hong Kong named it the best film of 2025. Michelle Wai earned a Best Supporting Actress award for her performance. The film also won for its screenplay and its original song, “Wah Fu One.”
As the real Wah Fu estate faces demolition in 2027, the film serves as a final record of the location. It captures the unique architecture and the close-knit life of public housing residents. You can see the film in UK cinemas this May to understand why this delayed project became a cultural landmark.
You can find the full list of showtimes and participating cinemas from Central City Media’s website.
