Cover Jazzie Sillona of Jazzie Films (Photo: Audrey Tam / Tatler Hong Kong)
Jazzie Sillona of Jazzie Films (Photo: Audrey Tam / Tatler Hong Kong)
1 / 1
The filmmaker is reminding us of Hong Kong’s inherent magic by shooting the ordinary sights and sounds of the city, from Central to Mong Kok
Covid-19 was a difficult time for Hong Kong, and many residents watched as the streets that we loved became empty and silent. But for one filmmaker, the pandemic only strengthened his resolve to showcase the beauty and charm of his beloved city, reminding people of all that it has to offer.
Jazzie Sillona is a Saudi Arabia-born, Qatar-raised Filipino filmmaker documenting the everyday activities of Hong Kong people from his iPhone. From the elderly gentlemen who play hacky-sack on Gough Street in Central to vendors in Mong Kok selling dried seafood, Sillona captures the charm and character of city life through videos that he uploads as Instagram reels. Then there are the cityscapes familiar to us all: the glowing neon lights, the sizzling sounds of dai pai dong and the vibrant colours of street markets.
What started as a hobby has turned into a career, and Sillona’s videos have gained a faithful following for their unique perspective on Hong Kong neighbourhoods, portraying captivating scenes that showcase the beauty of Hong Kong—as well as reminding us all of the power of community and connection.
Also read: Meet those preserving the heritage, culture and history of Hong Kong through guided tours
Above Jazzie Sillona of Jazzie Sillona of Jazzie Films (Photo: Audrey Tam / Tatler Hong Kong)
Jazzie Sillona of Jazzie Sillona of Jazzie Films (Photo: Audrey Tam / Tatler Hong Kong)
1 / 1
“My objective was to simply provide a visual reminder to everyone, especially those who left the city during Covid-19, that Hong Kong remains one of the most incredible places in the world,” says Sillona. “I make Instagram reels to remind and reconnect them with their neighbourhoods. Plus: Hong Kong is a filmmaker’s paradise.”
But it’s not just the visual storytelling that has captured his audience; Sillona’s reels have also been helpful in raising awareness about historical sites, architectural treasures and local communities, “providing insight into the rich diversity and complexity of Hong Kong”, he says.
Growing up watching movies—Home Alone (1990) and the 1953 version of Peter Pan were particular favourites—Sillona developed an interest in the art of cinema, hoping to one day create works of his own that would captivate audiences in the same way.
“I was happy to be glued to the TV with my siblings, enjoying Hollywood movies that my dad had bought from the souk [a Middle Eastern marketplace].” During his childhood in Doha, Sillona would use his digital camera to capture moments during family parties. Every family gathering and celebration gave him the perfect opportunity to hone his filmmaking skills. “I would then spend hours stitching the videos together using bootleg software to create movies, which my family enjoyed watching over and over,” he says. At school, Sillona would make videos of his classmates with an old camera phone and jump at the chance to work on film projects.
Despite his deep passion for filmmaking, Sillona didn’t pursue a career in the field right away. After graduating from secondary school in Qatar, he enrolled in a nursing course at the Far Eastern University in Manila to follow in the footsteps of his parents, who are both nurses. After one term, he realised that his true interests lay elsewhere. Eventually, Sillona made the decision to leave nursing behind; he later obtained a degree in business administration at Trinity University of Asia in the Philippines.
Between 2016 and 2019, Sillona worked as a freelance videographer in Manila and Hong Kong before planting roots in the latter permanently in 2019. In 2022, he launched Jazzie Films, a Hong Kong-based digital media company where he serves as creative director, producing digital videos for businesses in the city, including Mandarin Oriental, K11 Artus and Ruinart.
Making content and videos for his followers on Instagram, who amount to 305,000 at the time of publication, can be daunting—but Sillona is excited about the possibilities ahead, including using his platform to teach others how to create videos. From tutorials on colour-grading to videos on how to create stunning timelapses, Sillona refuses to gatekeep his knowledge. “A large part of my creative process is raw and unscripted,” he says. “Instagram has been a game- changer for me to showcase my work—I make every effort to preserve my artistic integrity and create videos that resonate with me.”
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print. She also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts — curates star-studded events, and builds the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
