Events Timeline
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The first Asian Film Awards was grandly held, and SONG Kang-ho won the best actor of the year.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
For the first time ever, the Asian Film Awards presented the Lifetime Achievement Award. The legendary Japanese director , YAMADA Yoji who had directed "Men's Suffering", "Twilight Seibei" and "Tokyo Family" was honored to received this Award in the 2nd Asian Film Awards.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
Michelle YEOH became the first jury president in the history of Asian Film Awards, leading the jury members to select various Asian Film Awards.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The best director was awarded to JIA Zhangke in the 1st Asian Film Awards, and was once again won by LU Chuan this year, a director from Mainland China.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
CHOW Yun Fat was invited to attend the Asian Film Awards ceremony and he won the People’s Choice for My Favorite Actor award.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
Hong Kong director Ann Hui was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 6th Asian Film Awards, in recognition of classics such as "Song of the Exile". Ann Hui, the first female director to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from Asian Film Awards, is widely regarded as a pioneer of the southern city's New Wave of the 1970s and 1980s.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The 7th Asian Film Awards was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, and Eddie Garcia won the best actor for "Bwakaw".
NOV | ASIAN FILM AWARDS ACADEMY
The Asian Film Awards Academy was officially established in 2013.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
Asian Film Awards Academy Inauguration Ceremony cum Special Awards Presentation Ceremony.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The 8th Asian Film Awards had been moved to Macau for the first time and held at the Dancing Water Theatre, City of Dreams, Macau.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The 9th Asian Film Awards Ceremony took place at The Venetian Macao in Macau. Ms. Mabel CHEUNG Yuen Ting has been appointed as this year’s AFA Jury President and Mr. Aaron Kwok as the Celebrity Jury, heading a panel of 15 jurors comprising respected film industry professionals, and critics who will select outstanding Asian films of this year to be recognized by 14 awards. This year, the AFA received over a thousand eligible films from 37 countries across Asian and the wide range of styles showed the diversity, creativity and vitality of the region’s cinema. Korean auteur IM Kown-taek received the Lifetime Achievement Award because of his long prolific career and his emphasis on Korean subjects and themes. Japanese actress NAKATANI Miki who is known for Memories of Matsuko and won the Best Actress at 1st Asian Film Awards received Excellence in Asian Cinema Award. The film Blind Massage won the Best Film, The Golden Era which was nominated for five awards, won the Best director (Ann HUI) and the Best Supporting Actor (WANG Zhiwen). Chinese actor LIAO Fan who has won the Silver Bear of Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival, has won the Best Actor of the 9th Asian Film Festival with Black Coal, Thin Ice. Korean Actress BAE Doo-na won the Best Actress with A Girl at My Door.
JUN | MASTERCLASS
Asian Film Awards Academy collaborated with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and organized the Masterclass: A Life in Pictures: Johnnie TO. Hong Kong director and producer Johnnie TO looked back on his career and share his filming experience without a script, his inspirations and how he depicted Hong Kong in his films.
SEP | ASIAN CINERAMA
Asian Film Awards Academy collaborated with Pacific Meridian International Film Festival and organized the “Asian Cinerama – AFAA Film Roadshows”. Mr. Clarence Tsui, Senior Film Critic of The Hollywood Reporter, and Hong Kong director Adam Wong Sau Ping also in the event to introduce Asian films to local audiences.
OCT | MASTERCLASS
On the special occasion of being awarded for the honorary SAMURAI Award by the 28th Tokyo International Film Festival, Hong Kong director and producer John WOO attended the 2nd SAMURAI Award Special Talk “In Person: John Woo”, co-presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy and the Tokyo International Film Festival. WOO shared his experience and insights in his filmmaking career that started in Hong Kong, continued in Hollywood and returned to Greater China.
OCT | ASIAN CINERAMA
Asian Film Awards Academy presented Asian Cinerama at the 3rd QCinema International Film Festival. It included the films A Simple Life, Overheard, Nader and Simin: A Separation, Niño.
OCT | JOURNEY TO THE FEST
Led by the Asian Film Awards Academy, 12 selected students from Hong Kong tertiary institutions visited the 20th Busan International Film Festival to develop their skills and enrich their outlook, experience and network with film practitioners from around the world.
Students on the visit participated in various festival events. In October 2015, selected students visited the Busan International Film Festival, the Asian Film Market and the Asian Project Market in Korea, which were some of the most major film events in Asia as well as in the world.
OCT | ASIAN CINERAMA
Asian Film Awards Academy presented Asian Cinerama at the 6th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The films included Echoes of the Rainbow, The Beast Stalker and Dragon, The Lunchbox, Ilo Ilo, Cart, Bwakaw.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The Asian Film Awards has entered its eleventh year and the ceremony was taken place at Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Internationally renowned Chinese director JIA Zhangke served as the Jury President of the 11th Asian Film Awards, and AFA invited Hong Kong actress Karena LAM to be the Celebrity Jury. Japanese veteran actress KIKI Kirin and Hong Kong martial arts choreographer and film director YUEN Woo Ping received Lifetime Achievement Awards in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the Asian film industry over the years. Korean actor, YOO Ah-in, received the “AFA Next Generation” Awards to affirm his continuous breakthrough in the industry.
NOV | YOUNG FILM PROFESSIONALS
To nurture emerging film talent and encourage the international exchange of the Asian film industry, the AFAA’s Young Film Professionals Program presented two internships respectively in Film VFX and Sound with one of Europe’s leading German studios The Post Republic (TPR). Two chosen young professionals undertook a two-month work placement to assist in the production of a US sci-fi and a German animation in TPR’s studios in Berlin, Germany. The Post Republic has been involved in over 150 films, including Oscar winning The Imitation Game (2014) and nominated Omar (2014), Palme d’Or winning Winter Sleep (2014).
NOV | ASIAN CINERAMA
AFAA presented five commercially and critically successful Asian period films at Kyoto HISTORICA International Film Festival (KHIFF) in Japan to illustrate the important role of the period film genre and the changing styles of period films with the rapid advancement of filmmaking techniques and technologies. The Asian Cinerama presented AFA-winning films The Golden Era and The Grandmaster. The Asian Cinerama screenings have been attended by film specialists and prominent post-production professionals that were on the respective films’ production team.
NOV | ASIAN CINERAMA
The Academy presented seven Asian titles of critical acclaim at the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF). The HIFF is a premiere international film festival that has established an exemplary track record of introducing Asian cinema to American and international audiences, annually attracting more than 70,000 in its audience.
AFAA and HIFF also collaborated in presenting the historically game-changing Hong Kong martial arts film Come Drink with Me and a masterclass with the film’s lead actress CHENG Pei Pei, often regarded as the queen of martial arts. Cheng shared her illustrious life as an actress on the world stage and as the first woman wuxia/action star in film history. The masterclass is part of a retrospective dedicated to legendary Chinese filmmaker King Hu at the HIFF.
DEC | JOURNEY TO THE FEST
AFAA cooperate with the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival (TGHFF), a festival purely for the public in connection with Taiwans Oscars, to host Student Tour: Journey to the Fest. Twelve Hong Kong undergraduate students who were studying in film-related disciplines were selected to participate in a 7-day film festival journey. The students have experienced the film festival by attending various activities included attending Golden Horse Awards Ceremony and red carpet, interacting with local film professionals, watching films, visiting film production studios, Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute, to understand the operation of the film industry.
JAN | ASIAN CINERAMA
AFAA presented Asian Cinerama at Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF) and selected eight excellent Asian productions to be screened at the festival. AFAA invited Sam HO, former programmer of Hong Kong Film Archive and editor of Hong Kong International Film Festival to attend CIFF and screening discissions.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The Asian Film Awards has entered its eleventh year and the ceremony was taken place at Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Internationally renowned Chinese director JIA Zhangke served as the Jury President of the 11th Asian Film Awards, and AFA invited Hong Kong actress Karena LAM to be the Celebrity Jury. To recognize Hong Kong veteran director TUSI Hark received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary contribution and influence to the Asian film industry in terms of artistic, cultural and commercial achievements. Chinese director FENG Xiaogang won the Best Director for I Am Not Madame Bovary and the FAN Bingbing also won the Best Actress for the film. Hong Kong actor LAM Suet has won the Best Supporting Actor for Trivisa.
OCT | JOURNEY TO THE FEST
AFAA in association with one of its founding organizations, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), organized AFAA’s initiative year-round program, Student Visit: Journey to the Fest, attended the 22th Busan International Film Festival and its associated Asian Project Market (APM) in Busan, South Korea. Twelve students who were pursuing their studies in film related fields, experienced one of the major film festival in Asia-Pacific region, learnt about the latest film market and participated in a series of activities, including film screenings, masterclass, film forum, etc.
OCT | ASIAN CINERAMA
With the shared objective of promoting and recognizing outstanding Asian cinematic works, AFAA collaborated with the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival (HKAFF) to present the Academy’s flagship film roadshow Asian Cinerama for the first time. Five latest works by past Asian Film Awards nominees and winners had be presented under Asian Cinerama.
NOV | ASIAN CINERAMA
AFAA is committed to work closely with film festivals and institutions in different countries and regions, aim to promote Asian films and culture to international audiences and provide platforms for Hong Kong filmmakers to get in touch with film professionals all over the world. This year, for the first time, AFAA cooperate with the Five Flavours Asian Film Festival in Warsaw, Poland, presented film roadshow Asian Cinerama with selecting six Asian Film Awards winner and nominated films to be shown during the film festival. AFAA also invited Heiward MAK, producer of Mad World, YANG Chao and YANG Jing, director and producer of Crosscurrent, and LAM Wing Sum, co-screenwriter of Soul Mate.
DEC | ASIAN CINERAMA
AFAA presented film roadshow Asian Cinerama and its first-time collaboration between the Academy and International Film Festival Kerala (IFFK) with introducing six major films from the Asian Film Awards to the Indian audience. AFAA invited director Andy LO of Happiness and Hong Kong film critic Vivienne CHOW to attend the film festival, Q&A sessions and film forum.
JAN | YOUNG FILM PROFESSIONALS
AFAA’s Young Film Professional Overseas Training Program began in 2016 and it started an expansion of the program to send local professionals in the fields of visual effects (VFX) and sound effects to Germany to train in distinguished European film postproduction studio, enabling them to consolidate their expertise and foster cross-regional exchanges. This year, AFAA has secured the cooperation with four eminent German film studios including Rotor Film, which boast the largest grading and mixing stage in Europe. Its productions including Palme d’Or winner The Square. Two selected candidates flied to Potsdam in Germany to start a four-month internship and training.
FEB | YOUNG FILM PROFESSIONALS
AFAA explored cooperation with widely acclaimed Trixter. Its VFX projects included Hollywood superhero installments Spider-Man, Marvels’ s The Avengers, Captain America and Ant-man. Trixter offered one internship opportunity to local young professional to start a four-month training in field of VFX. The Post Republic, one of the AFAA’s studio partner will join the program again this year. It has been involved in more than 150 productions including Land of Mine, Oscar winning The Imitation Game, Palme d’Or winning Winter Sleep. Two selected candidates have engaged a four-month training in Berlin.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The 12th Asian Film Awards took part at The Venetian Macao. AFA12 celebrated the excellence of Martial Arts in Asian cinema by setting up a special award, The Best Action Film. To recognize outstanding Asian filmmakers and provide a platform for new faces and up-and-coming artists, AFA established the Best New Director award presented by Hong Kong auteur Andrew LAU and Mabel CHEUNG at the ceremony. DONG Yue won the Best New Director with his debut film, The Looming Strom. Member of Girls Generation and actress, Yoona LIM was appointed as the ambassador of the AFA12. Sylvia CHANG, veteran director and actress, received Lifetime Achievement Award and the Best Actress Award.
JUN | YOUNG FILM PROFESSIONALS
AFAA collaborated with the Italian highly specialized film restoration laboratory L’Immagine Ritrovata, selected two young professionals interested in developing the field of film restoration to start a three-month internship and training at L’Immagine Ritrovata with equipping the complete restoration workflow through the use of photochemical and digital technologies.
SEP | FILM CRAFT WORKSHOPS
AFAA invited German cinematographer Hans FROMM and held its first Film Craft Workshops. Co-organized by Goethe Institut Hong Kong and supported by Hong Kong Baptist University, two film craft workshops included one for the public and one for student-exclusive. The workshop focused and discussed the unique feature of the “Berlin School” and its aesthetics with Hong Kong audiences.
SEP | MASTERCLASS
AFAA collaborated with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts to hold a Masterclass at BAFTA’s London headquarters, lectured by Hong Kong famous action director Tony CHING. The Masterclass focused on Tony CHING’s career as an action director and introduced Hong Kong action directors to British audiences.
SEP | YOUNG FILM PROFESSIONALS
AFAA collaborated with L’Immagine Ritrovata, selected four young professionals interested in developing film restoration to start a one-month internship and training at L’Immagine Ritrovata to experience complete restoration workflow through the use of photochemical and digital technologies.
OCT | JOURNEY TO THE FEST
In collaboration with Tokyo International Film Festival for the first time, AFAA organized Students Visit: Journey to the Fest. Selected twelve undergraduate film studies students participate in the 31th Tokyo International Film Festival and its opening ceremony, film screenings, seminars, film market (TIFF COM), workshops, etc., to comprehend Japan and Asian film industry.
OCT | MASTERCLASS
AFAA also co-organized a Masterclass with the Tokyo International Film Festival, inviting veteran Hong Kong director and producer Fruit CHAN to attend the world premiere of his work Three Husbands. The "Face-to-Face with Fruit CHAN" masterclass was hosted to share his experience with the audience.
OCT | ASIAN CINERAMA
For the first time, the Academy cooperated with the Barcelona Asian Film Festival to organize the Asian Cinerama. Seven films shortlisted at the 12th Asian Film Awards were screened in three local theatres during the festival. AFAA invited the new Hong Kong director CHAN Tai-Lee to fly to Barcelona to attend the European premiere of his first directed work, Tomorrow Is Another Day, and share his experience with the audience after the screening.
NOV | ASIAN CINERAMA
AFAA cooperated with the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival to organize an Asian Cinerama during the festival. Six outstanding Asian films were selected, hoping to promote remarkable Asian film works jointly. The event invited director HO Wi Ding, actor HSIEH Chang-ying and Stone of Cities of Last Things; IWAI Shunji, director of Last Letter; and HAMAGUCHI Ryusuke, director of Asako I & II to attend the pre-screening and post-screening sharing sessions.
NOV | FILM CRAFT WORKSHOPS
AFAA also co-organized the Film Craft Workshops with the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. The famous Korean-Japanese director and screenwriter LEE Sang-il was invited as a guest. Director LEE had conversations with Hong Kong director Fruit CHAN in public sessions and shared his experience in choreography with students of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in student sessions.
NOV | ASIAN CINERAMA
AFAA once again cooperated with the Warsaw Five Flavours Asian Film Festival to organize the Asian Cinerama. It screened six films shortlisted for the Asian Film Awards at the film festival. The Academy invited CHAN Tai-Lee, director of Tomorrow Is Another Day, to fly to Warsaw to attend the post-screening sharing. Hong Kong senior film curator Kiki FUNG hosts a film seminar to discuss the co-production of China-Hong Kong films with local audiences and their impact on Asian cinema.
DEC | YOUNG FILM PROFESSIONALS
Cooperated with the prestigious German post-production company The Post Republic, AFAA provided three internship opportunities in the VFX, DI/Color Grading and Sound departments. Three young local film professionals were selected to start a three-month internship in a local company.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The 13th Asian Film Awards moved back to Hong Kong, with theme of Film Restoration, AFA13 highlighted the integral efforts of restoring classics to their former glory. Internationally renowned actress-director Joan CHEN serves as this year’s Jury President, and AFA is also enormously honored to have Academy Awards nominee WATANABE Ken as Celebrity Juror. “Shoplifters” directed by KORE-EDA Hirokazu won the Best Film, South Korean director LEE Chang-dong received the Lifetime Achievement Awards and won the Best Director with his newest work “Burning”, and Chinese Director JIA Zhangke won the Best Screenplay for “Ash is Purest White”. Assemble of three Asian auteurs had made one of the most valuable moment for the Awards Film Awards.
JUN | YOUNG FILM PROFESSIONALS
AFAA collaborated with L’Immagine Ritrovata, selected four young professionals who are interested in developing the field of film restoration to start a one-month internship and training at L’Immagine Ritrovata to experience complete restoration workflow through the use of photochemical and digital technologies.
OCT | ASIAN CINERAMA
Collaborate with Hong Kong Asian Film Festival, AFAA organized Asian Cinerama with presenting six outstanding Asian Films, total twelve screenings to audiences at HKAFF. The program has invited Taiwanese director Tom LIN, Malaysian actress Angelica LEE, Japanese actor-director ODAGIRI Joe and Hong Kong cinematographer Christopher Doyle to attend pre- and post-screening Q&A sessions.
NOV | ASIAN CINERAMA
AFAA collaborated with Asian Film Festival. Barcelona again to hold Asian Cinerama Program and presented nine Asian films which had been nominated for the 13th Asian Film Awards to local audiences. AFAA invited Hong Kong newcomer Crisel CONSUNJI to attend the film festival and Q&A sessions with her debut film “Still Human”.
NOV | ASIAN CINERAMA
AFAA continued the partnership with Five Flavours Asian Film Festival and selected six Asian Film Awards nominations in the Asian Cinerama program. AFAA invited Hong Kong director Fruit CHAN, Heiward MAK, screenwriter Jason LAM, Hong Kong newcomer Crisel CONSUNJI to attend the festival activities, Q&A sessions and interviews.
NOV | MASTERCLASS
It was the first time AFAA cooperate with Five Flavours Asian Film Festival on organizing the Masterclass with veteran Hong Kong director and producer Fruit CHAN. The festival featured a “Fruit CHAN Retrospective”, presented the audiences six works of the director. Fruit CHAN, screenwriter Jason LAM and producer Doris YANG had participated in the post-screening Q&As and shared his works, career, upcoming projects, casting of new talents and other aspects of filmmaking that have distinguished him as one of Hong Kong’s internationally recognized director.
NOV | JOURNEY TO THE FEST
In collaboration with Singapore International Film Festival for the first time, AFAA organized Students Visit: Journey to the Fest. Selected eleven undergraduate film studies students participate in the 30th Singapore International Film Festival and its opening ceremony, film screenings, seminars, workshops, etc., to understand Singapore and Asian film industry.
DEC | YOUNG FILM PROFESSIONALS
AFAA collaborated with Thailand post-production company White Light Post, selected two young professional who are working in film industry to start a three-month internship and training at White Light Post Bangkok office. White Light Post is a team processes excellent and mature post-production technology and has participated in a wide range of film projects, form commercials and TV dramas in Thailand to overseas film productions. They are familiar with “Pop Aye” and “Call Me By Your Name”.
FEB | YOUNG FILM PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM
AFAA continued its cooperation with the prestigious German post-production company The Post Republic, AFAA provided two internship opportunities in DI/Color Grading and Sound departments. Two young local film professionals were selected to start a three-month internship in The Post Republic.
MAY | FILM CRAFT WORKSHOPS
This year was the third time of organizing Film Craft Workshops, AFAA collaborated with Broadway Cinematheque and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts to organize our Film Craft Workshops, invited Singapore writer-director Anthony CHEN to share his experiences and knowledge in specialized areas of film production with film students and Hong Kong audiences. Director CHEN’s work Ilo Ilo (2013) was awarded for Best Supporting Actress and nominated for the Best Director in the 8th edition of the Asian Film Awards. Due to the pandemic, audience listened and asked directory CHEN in a video conference call via online platform. The workshop mainly focused on his recent work Wet Season and script writing. We also invited a guest speaker, Norris WONG who has awarded for Best New Director in the Hong Kong Film Awards.
MAY | ASIAN CINERAMA
Collaborated with Hong Kong Asian Film Festival, AFAA organized Asian Cinerama with presenting six outstanding Asian Films. The programme opened with Wet Season by a Singaporean director Anthony CHEN who was nominated in the 8th edition of Asian Film Awards, a workshop had been held after the first screening of Wet Season. Other outstanding Asian films that showcased in the programme included, first-time director Katayama Shinzo’s Siblings of the cape; Goodbye Mother, by new Vietnamese director Trinh Dinh Le Minh; Fukuoka, directed by Korean-chinese director Zhang Lu who was nominated the best director in the 2nd edition of AFA, etc.
OCT | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The Asian Film Awards Academy proudly presented the 14th Asian Film Award and for the first time ever, the awards presentation aligned with Busan International Film Festival. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the awards presentation was broadcasted online on AFAA and Busan International Film Festival's official websites and YouTube Channels. The Best Picture award was made to Parasite, which also won Best Screenplay for co-writers HAN Jin Won and the film’s director BONG Joon Ho. The film also won for Best Production Design and Best Editing totaling four awards. We were happy to receive support from internationally renowned filmmakers KOREEDA Hirokazu, LEE Chang-dong, Nawapol THAMRONGRATTANRIT, Anthony CHEN, and world acclaimed film talents YAKUSHO Koji, Samal YESLYAMOVA, YANG Ik-joon, Kara WAI and Johnny HUANG Jingyu to announce the winners. It was the unity of Asian cinema in such difficult times.
NOV | ASIAN CINERAMA
AFAA continued the partnership with Five Flavours Asian Film Festival (FFAFF) and held Asian Cinerama program. This year FFAFF was held in hybrid format to provide precious chances for audience over Poland to watch Asian films under different Covid-19 circumstance. Six of the 14th Asian Film Awards nominations were selected for the program, included two Hong Kong productions, My Prince Edward and Suk Suk, Gundala, Gully Boy, Kim Ji-young, Born 1982 and One Night. Filmmakers from My Prince Edward, Suk Suk and Gundala were invited to record online Q&As with festival programmers and we hoped via holding the Q&A sessions, audience could have a deeper understanding on their works and film industry in Asian countries.
MAR | FILM CRAFT WORKSHOPS
As the first collaboration between Golden Scene Company Limited and the Asian Film Awards Academy, we are very pleased to present Film Craft Workshop with award winning Japanese film director Naomi Kawase at newly opened Golden Scene Cinema.
JUL | HONG KONG FILM GALA PRESENTATION
The Asian Film Awards Academy in collaboration with mm2 Entertainment and Cathay Cineplexes presented the event "Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation 2021" in Singapore successfully concluded on July 4, 2021. This 3-day event were feature six recent Hong Kong films including: One Second Champion, The Way We Keep Dancing, Ready o/r Knot, Drifting, All U Need Is Love and Septet: The Story of Hong Kong.
AUG | YOUNG FILM PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM
Asian Film Awards Academy has collaborated with Broadway Cinematheque to organize internship programs annually for students with film and media related background since 2017. Both interns found the internship experience rewarding and has given them insights into the workings of the film programming industry.
SEP | MASTERCLASS
Asian Film Awards Academy and Helsinki International Film Festival offer a wonderful opportunity for a deepdive to the films of a renowned Hong Kong director, Stanley Kwan: In this masterclass, Stanley Kwan had discussed his body of work and his working methods.
SEP | ASIAN CINERAMA
Asian Film Awards Academy collaborates with the Helsinki International Film Festival for the first time in presenting AFAA’s flagship film roadshow – Asian Cinerama.
OCT | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The 15th Asian Film Awards announced the winners in 18 categories at a much anticipated ceremony hosted by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) in conjunction with Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
The biggest winner of was KUROSAWA Kiyoshi’s wartime period drama Wife of a Spy (Japan), which received the Best Film Award, the Best Actress Award (AOI Yu) and the Best Costume Design Award (KOKETSU Haruki). ZHANG Yimou won the Best Director Award with One Second (Mainland China), which also earned the Best Newcomer Award for the rising actress LIU Haocun. Korean actors had a strong presence. YOO Ah-in, who played the mute protagonist in Voice of Silence (Korea) won the Best Actor Award, while KIM Hyun-bin won the Best Supporting Actor Award for his role as a deaf schoolboy in The Silent Forest (Taiwan).
OCT | ASIAN CINERAMA
The Asian Film Awards Academy is working again with Hong Kong Asian Film Festival again this year to present Asian Cinerama. The programme had included Adilkhan YERZHANOV’s Yellow Cat, ZHANG Yimou’s One Second, Hong Eui-jeong’s Voice of Silence, Yujiro Harumoto’s A Balance, P.S. Vinothraj’s Pebbles, Longman Leung’s Anita.
NOV | HONG KONG FILM GALA PRESENTATION
The Asian Film Awards Academy in collaboration with Golden Screen Cinemas and GSC Movies had presented "Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation" in Kuala Lumpur. The 3-day programme featuring six recent Hong Kong films included Adam WONG’s The Way We Keep Dancing, CHIU Sin Hang’s impressive directorial debut One Second Champion, Jun LI's Drifting, CHAN Kin Long’s Hand Rolled Cigarette, MAN Lim Chung's Keep Rolling and Septet: The Story of Hong Kong directed by seven of Hong Kong’s most revered auteurs - Sammo HUNG, Ann HUI, Patrick TAM, YUEN Wo Ping, Johnnie TO, the late Ringo LAM and TSUI Hark.
NOV | HONG KONG FILM GALA PRESENTATION
The Asian Film Awards Academy in collaboration with Bali International Film Festival had presented "Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation" in Jakarta, Indonesia. The 3-day programme featuring six recent Hong Kong films, included Septet: The Story of Hong Kong, Drifting, Better Days, Keep Rolling, The Way We Keep Dancing and One Second Champion.
NOV | ASIAN CINERAMA
With the shared objective of promoting and recognizing outstanding Asian cinematic works, the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) collaborates with the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) again in presenting AFAA’s flagship film roadshow – Asian Cinerama.
NOV | ASIAN CINERAMA
Asian Film Awards Academy collaborates with the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival for the first time in presenting AFAA’s flagship film roadshow – Asian Cinerama. The programme includes Jun LI's Drifting, Muzzamer Rahman’s Hail, Driver!, Pallavi Paul’s The Blind Rabbit, South Korean film Three Sisters, Anam Abbas's The Stained Dawn & Hong Seoung-yoon 's Digital Video Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro.
NOV | ASIAN CINERAMA
Asian Film Awards Academy collaborates with the Five Flavours Asian Film Festival again in presenting AFAA’s flagship film roadshow – Asian Cinerama.
NOV | YOUNG FILM PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM
Asian Film Awards Academy collaborated with mm2 for the first time in organizing the Student Internship Program. The intern's responsibilities in this internship program include film preparation, video editing, graphic design, writing, and other clerical duties. I believe his internship experience will allow him to gain a solid knowledge of the film industry, which he may therefore utilize in future work.
DEC | FILM CRAFT WORKSHOPS
As the collaboration between Asian Film Awards Academy and Broadway Cinematheque, we had presented Film Craft Workshop with Radu Jude and Avi Mograbi. An exchange of opinions between two artists separated by geography, but united in their determination in making cinema relevant again.
JAN | FILM CRAFT WORKSHOPS
As the collaboration between Asian Film Awards Academy with Broadway Cinematheque and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, we had presented Film Craft Workshop with Radu Jude in Béthanie Theatre for university students, to share the technical experience and creative origins of filming and film production.
FEB | MASTERCLASS
Asian Film Awards Academy in collaboration with the Singapore Film Society to present the globally renowned Masterclass Series featuring acclaimed Hong Kong Director, Producer and Scriptwriter Mabel Cheung.
MAY | ASIAN CINERAMA
Asian Film Awards Academy collaborates with MOViE MOViE for the first time in presenting Asian Cinerama. This roadshow features eight films made by internationally renowned auteurs and new directors in the roadshow, including opening film HOKUSAI and closing film WAITING FOR MY CUP OF TEA. The program also screened Edward Lam’s special program “Sh(ar)e”, a series of oral histories where established artists such as Sylvia Chang, Louise Lee and Elaine Jin share their experiences.
SEP | ASIAN CINERAMA
The Asian Film Awards Academy in collaboration with Bali International Film Festival to present the flagship film roadshow - Asian Cinerama in Jakarta for the first time, it was opened with Glenn Chan’s directional debut SHADOWS, a breath-taking psychological thriller features an outstanding ensemble of actors. Included in the program was the attendance of Mani Man, Producer/Scriptwriter of Shadows, she discusses with the local filmmaker about film funding, co-production opportunities, and initiatives to nurture local talent.
SEP | YOUNG FILM PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM
Two participants were successfully selected to learn professional colour grading skills for films from local colorist, Chaitawat Thrisansri, at White Light Post. During their time there, they gained an in-depth understanding of the Thai film industry culture.
OCT | ASIAN CINERAMA
The Asian Film Awards Academy in collaboration with Bali International Film Festival to present the flagship film roadshow - Asian Cinerama in Jakarta for the first time, it was opened with Glenn Chan’s directional debut SHADOWS, a breath-taking psychological thriller features an outstanding ensemble of actors. Included in the program was the attendance of Mani Man, Producer/Scriptwriter of Shadows, she discusses with the local filmmaker about film funding, co-production opportunities, and initiatives to nurture local talent.
JAN | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The 16th Asian Film Awards unveiled the complete list of nominees across all categories, in a press conference held at Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, with the presence of Asian Film Awards Academy (AFA) and Hong Kong International Film Festival Association (HKIFF) Chairman Dr. Wilfred WONG, Board Member of Asian Film Awards Academy Mr. Fred WANG, HKPM Director Dr. Louis NG, Executive Director of Asian Film Awards Academy Josie Lin, Youth Ambassador of this year's Asian Film Awards Ms. LIN Minchen, Ms. Chrissie CHAU, Mr. LING Man Lung, Ms. Angela YUEN, Director Ms. Mabel CHEUNG and Media friends.
FEB | YOUTH AMBASSADOR
Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy and co-organised by the Academy of Film, Hong Kong Baptist University, the seminar “From an Internet Sensation to an Actress: A Conversation with AFA Youth Ambassador LIN Min Chen” was held successfully at Tsang Chan Sik Yue Auditorium, HKBU. AFAA was honoured to invite Ms. LIN Min Chen, Youth Ambassador of the 16th Asian Film Awards, and producer and screenwriter Ms. Mani MAN as the guest speakers, and director and screenwriter Mr. Sunny CHAN as the guest host.
MAR | CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE: ASIAN FILM AWARDS EXHIBITION
Asian Film Awards Academy had hold Celebrating 15 Years of Excellence: Asian Film Awards Exhibition in Harbour City’s Ocean Terminal Main Concourse. The exhibition looks back at 15 years of wonderful memories from past Asian Film Award ceremonies. The exhibition features a red carpet as a photo spot for visitors, precious photos of past AFA winners, the AFA trophy, as well as a gacha machine with autographed posters, AFA souvenirs, and coffee coupons. Enjoy the AFA experience at special photo spots and imagine yourself among the stars!
MAR | FILM CRAFT WORKSHOPS
We are honoured to have Darezhan OMIRBAYEV, a leading director of the Kazakh New Wave and the director of “Poet” to attend the Film Craft Workshop with the film students and audience.
MAR | ASIAN CINERAMA
Presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy, in collaboration with MOViE MOViE, and financially supported by Create Hong Kong and the Film Development Fund, The Asian Cinerama - 16th Asian Film Awards Selection has finished all 8 screenings, 6 post-screening talks on 10-12 Mar. World-class filmmaking masters Lav DIAZ, HAMAGUCHI Ryusuke, KORE-EDA Hirokazu, and Darezhan OMIRBAYEV had greet the audience at the post-screening session. In addition, YIM Si-wan (Emergency Declaration); and Happy SALMA & director Kamila ANDINI (Before, Now & Then) also attended screenings to represent their nominated films.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The Asian Film Awards Ceremony, marking its 16th edition, took place at the Hong Kong Palace Museum on March 12, 2023. A total of sixteen awards were presented, along with four special awards. The ceremony concluded on a high note. Among the notable winners, "Drive My Car" secured three awards for Best Film, Best Editing, and Best Original Music. KORE-EDA Hirokazu received the Best Director accolade for "Broker," while Tony LEUNG Chiu-wai was recognized as the Best Actor for his role in "When the Wind Blows." TANG Wei earned the title of Best Actress for her performance in "Decision To Leave." The awards ceremony attracted numerous luminaries from the Asian film industry, who gathered in Hong Kong to witness this prestigious annual event.
MAR | ASIAN FILM AWARDS
The 16th Asian Film Awards was successfully held on March 12th 023, at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Sixteen competitive prizes and four honorary prizes were given out. Drive My Car won a total of three prizes: Best Film, Best Editing and Best Original Music; KORE-EDA Hirokazu won Best Director for Broker; Tony LEUNG Chiu Wai won his second AFA Best Actor with Where the Wind Blows; for her performance in Decision to Leave, TANG Wei won the Best Actress prize. The elegant award ceremony was attended by the best and brightest of the Asian film industry, all gathered under one roof in Hong Kong for this prestigious event.
SEP | HONG KONG FILM GALA PRESENTATION
The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation started in Malaysia from Friday to Sunday, 22nd to 24th September 2023. This event showcased 6 different genres of Hong Kong films. Lawrence Kan, David Chiang and Amos WHY visited Malaysia to join the ceremony and post-screening talks. Malaysian filmmakers participated in this event to showcase their support.
SEP | INTERNATIONAL FILM CAMP
The Asian Film Awards Academy launched the International Film Camp. Press conference of the International Film Camp was held simultaneously in Hong Kong and Macau with presence of our honourable guests, including Mr. Dave Sun, IFC advisor Dir. Anthony Chen, mentors Dir. Mabel Cheung and Mr. Ding Yuin Shan, AFAA Youth Ambassador Ms. Lin Min Chen, and many Macau guests. They also introduced and promoted the event which aims to empowers Asian emerging filmmakers.
SEP | HONG KONG FILM GALA PRESENTATION
The “Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” was held successfully in Singapore from 29th September to 1st October, 2023. 7 Hong Kong films of different styles were screened. Ho Cheuk Tin, Amy Chin, and Mak Pui Tung from Hong Kong were present at the premiere and post-screening sharing session, exchanging their views with local audience and media.
OCT | FILM CRAFT WORKSHOPS
The Film Craft Workshop featuring the renowned Japanese director, Shunji Iwai, has successfully concluded. During the workshop, Director Iwai shared with the public and aspiring film students his invaluable insights and experiences gained over his illustrious 30-year filmmaking career. He delved into the captivating world of film production, revealing intriguing behind-the-scenes stories. Audiences from all walks of life gathered to join the workshops.
OCT | HONG KONG FILM GALA PRESENTATION
“Next Generation: Emerging Directors Exhibition & Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” in Thailand was successfully held in Bangkok from October 22 to November 11, 2023. The event was one of the highlight programs of Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok and seven Hong Kong films were showcased. Jack NG, Renci YEUNG, Anastasia TSANG and HO Cheuk Tin visited Thailand to engaged with the audience and participate in promotional activities.
OCT | JOURNEY TO THE FEST
The Journey to the Fest has returned to Tokyo after a five-year hiatus. The Asian Film Awards Academy led a group of tertiary students from Hong Kong to Tokyo from October 23 to 30, 2023. Students participated in various festival programmes, networking events, watched films and visited film institutions and studios in Tokyo. They also had the chance to exchange ideas with film students and film talents from different Asian countries and regions.
OCT | ASIAN CINERAMA
The Asian Cinerama screened five films from 25 October to 1 November during the festival period in Tokyo. Three latest works of Hong Kong directors, “In Broad Daylight”, “Time Still Turns the Page” and “Vital Signs”, were featured under the “World Focus” section. “2046” and “Nomad” (4K Restored Director’s Cut), starring leading Hong Kong actor Tony Leung who gave a masterclass also organized by AFAA, were also presented. The creative team and cast members of “In Broad Daylight” and “Time Still Turns the Page” attended the post-screening Q&A session of their films. The audience participated actively.
OCT | MASTERCLASS
The Asian Film Awards Academy and the Tokyo International Film Festival co-organised the Masterclass series on 26 October 2023 featuring Hong Kong actor Tony Leung. This event marked the reunion of the two organizations after a five-year hiatus. Leung, who recently received the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award at the Venice Film Festival, shared insights from his illustrious thirty-year acting career with the captivated Japanese audience.
NOV | ASIAN CINERAMA
Presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy and in collaboration with Cinema Akil, the Asian Cinerama: Hong Kong Film Festival embarked on its grand journey in Dubai on 10 November. Ng Wing Sze visited Dubai, joining the audience for post-screening Q&A of the opening film “Mad Fate”, and meeting the audience before the screening of “Back Home”.