The first ever Hong Kong Asia Screenings, an industry companion piece to the Hong Kong Film Festival, kicked off this weekend with expanding world sales outfit Golden Network unveiling its latest pick-up, Girls' Friends.

The film, about the friendship amongst five teen friends, joins a clutch of Thai titles on the books at Hong Kong-based Golden Network which are screening at the new market. The deal for the film, directed by Mongkholchai Chaivisuth and produced by Cinemag and Blue Dome, was struck last week by Golden Network head Carrie Wong on a visit to Bangkok.

In February, the company picked up Thai horror triptych Bangkok Haunted and Killer Tattoo, a futuristic Thai comedy about four hired assassins all chasing the same target.

Hong Kong screening for Girls' Friends' is technically not a world premiere as the event is a buyers only fair. The event, which clocked up buyers from 51 companies on its first day, is backed by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the Hong Kong International Film Festival and organised by Wouter Barendrecht, of local sales agent Fortissimo Film Sales.