The 16th Asian Film Awards Nominees Announced

Asian Film Awards Ceremony Returns to Hong Kong. Five Hong Kong films are nominated to compete with outstanding films from around Asia

06 January 2023

After relocating to Busan, South Korea for the past two sessions, the Asian Film Awards Academy has announced that the ceremony will return to Hong Kong this year.

With the support of CreateHK and the Film Development Fund, the ceremony will be held for the first time at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Auditorium in the Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon, on 12th March 2023.

30 films from 22 regions and countries have been shortlisted for 81 nominations to compete for 16 awards at the 16th Asian Film Awards. The prestigious line up of nominees from around Asia includes five Hong Kong films including Where the Wind Blows, Anita, A Light Never Goes Out, Warriors of Future and The Sparring Partner.

Among the nominees, Korean film master PARK Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave received ten nominations, making it the most nominated film in this year’s competition. Coming in a close second is the Japanese feature starring NISHIJIMA Hidetoshi, Drive My Car which received eight nominations including Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor. Indian film Ponniyin Selvan: I was also nominated for Best Film and five behind-the-scenes awards.

Five guest attendees announced this year’s finalists today, including the acclaimed director, Ms Mabel CHEUNG, renowned actress, Ms Chrissie CHAU Sau Na, emerging actors, Mr LING Man Lung and Ms Angela YUEN Lai Lam, and this year’s Youth Ambassador, Ms. LIN Min Chen.

Dr Wilfred WONG Ying Wai, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Asian Film Awards Academy said, “The Academy is happy to see the gradual recovery of the Asian film industry, which has brought more potential for cross-regional collaborations. I believe AFAA continues to offer a unique platform to unite all the distinguished talents in the Asian film industry. The Academy will work relentlessly to facilitate cultural communication between countries and regions, and lead the post-pandemic Asian film industry to new prosperity.”

The Academy also announced that it is deeply honoured to appoint the internationally acclaimed director ZHANG Yimou as president of this year’s jury. ZHANG said: “Asian cinema is now on the road that combines artistic factors and commercial, aiming for movies that can be appreciated by a wider community. Zhang won the Asian Film Awards’ Best Director Honourable in 2021.

ZHANG was awarded twice the Golden Lion at Venice International Film Festival, one Golden Bear at Berlin International Film Festival and has won the Grand Prix du Jury at Cannes Film Festival. His distinguished contribution to Asian films also earned him an Outstanding Contribution to Asian Cinema at the 4th Asian Film Awards. ZHANG will lead a panel of seven professional judges from around the world to decide on the winners of this year’s awards.

Five distinctive Asian films from different regions, including Decisions to Leave (South Korea), Drive My Car (Japan), Poet (Kazakhstan), Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (India) and When the Waves Are Gone (The Philippines, France, Portugal, Denmark), are in the tight race for winning the highest honour of Best Film in the 16th Asian Film Awards.

For Hong Kong films, a total of five films were nominated for different awards. Among them, Hong Kong’s epic crime biopic Where the Wind Blows was nominated for three awards, including Tony LEUNG Chiu Wai for Best Actor, Michael HUI Koon Man for Best Supporting Actor, Bill LUI and Andrew WONG for Best Art Direction. Tony LEUNG Chiu Wai had been nominated twice for Best Actor at the Asian Film Awards and was awarded the prize for his phenomenal performance in Lust, Caution.

Winner of the 12th Asian Film Awards for Best Actress, Sylvia CHANG, is shortlisted again for Best Actress for her performance in A Light Never Goes Out, competing for the prize with Karena LAM (American Girl), Happy SALMA (Before, Now & Then), TANG Wei (Decision to Leave) and BAISHO Chieko (Plan 75).

New faces Louise WONG and MAK Pui Tung earned nominations for Best Newcomers for their memorable acting at Anita and The Sparring Partner respectively, competing with LEE Ji-eun (Broker), YANG Enyou (Lighting Up the Stars), and PARK Ji-min (Return to Seoul).

In addition, with their distinguished effort in Anita, Karen YIP and Dora NG were also nominated for Best Costume Design and TU Duu-Chih for Best Sound. Hong Kong’s highest-grossing local production ever, Warriors of Future, was nominated for Best Visual Effects.

This year’s Asian Film Awards will continue to present a variety of special awards to recognize the contribution of talented filmmakers to Asian cinema, including the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award and AFA Rising Star Award, which will be announced later.

Asian Film Awards Academy

The Asian Film Awards Academy, a non-profit organization, was founded by Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo International Film Festivals to celebrate excellence in Asian cinema. Aiming to promote and recognize Asian films and their talents, AFAA highlights, strengthens and develops the Asian film industry through the annual Asian Film Awards and several year-round initiatives.

The Asian Film Awards was inaugurated in 2007, where members of AFAA are drawn from its past nominees and winners. The category of awards includes Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress. Members vote for the Asian Film Awards and participate in various AFAA activities involving film professionals and audiences worldwide.

The 16th Asian Film Awards Ceremony

Date: 12 March 2023 (Sunday)

Location: Hong Kong Jockey Club Auditorium in the Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon

Address: 8 Museum Drive, West Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui

Latest News

Asian film talents converge in Hong Kong for “Asian Cinerama: Eternal Youth” Karata Erika, Esther Liu, and Jack Tan converge in Hong Kong for an intimate exchange with cinephiles.

Grand opening of the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation and Exhibition in Malaysia Actors Kay Tse and Ling Man Lung, directors Kwan Man Hin and Dickson Leung attended various cultural exchange activities, passionately sharing their experiences and insights from their film journeys with Malaysian audiences

The Dynamic Cityscapes of Hong Kong Films Exhibition Invites Bangkok to Experience Hong Kong Cinematic Diversity Following a successful run in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, this exhibition has brought the celebration of Hong Kong’s diverse cityscapes to Bangkok. It showcases memorable scenes from carefully selected films alongside iconic sights from Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation and Exhibition in Malaysia! Celebrates Craftmanship of Hong Kong Cinema! Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Malaysia to Screen Seven Hong Kong Films "From Idea to Icon" Exhibition Celebrates Craftmanship of Hong Kong Cinema. Four Hong Kong directors and actors are invited to attend the event in Malaysia, including actress Kay Tse from "Out of the Shadow", director Kwan Man Hin and actor Ling Man Lung from “The Remnant” and director Dickson Leung from "YUM Investigation".

Apply NOW! Student Internship Program with Broadway Cinematheque Begin Your Career in the Film Industry with Our Student Internship Program!

Asian Film Awards Academy Presents “Asian Cinerama 2024: Eternal Youth” in September Screening nine outstanding Asian works with three post-screening sharing sessions with talents from different Asian regions.

A Glamorous Gathering at the Grand Opening of Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Bangkok, Thailand Actors Kenny Wong, Jozev Kiu, director Herman Yau, and numerous talents and directors from Hong Kong and Thailand graced the event with their presence, making it a star-studded occasion.

Director Herman Yau and Actor Kenny Wong to attend the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Bangkok Director Nick Cheuk (Time Still Turns the Pages), director Ho Miu Ki (Love Lies), and actor Jozev Kiu (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In) will also go to Bangkok to meet the audience in Thailand!

Hong Kong filmmakers gather in Bali to demonstrate the inheritance of spirits among Hong Kong film industry The Asian Film Awards Academy and the Bali International Film Festival co-organized the "Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation", screening six Hong Kong films from June 1 to 5 at Cinepolis Plaza Renon, including the 4K restored version of "Center Stage", "Fly Me to the Moon" and "In Broad Daylight". Renowned director Stanely Kwan and other Hong Kong filmmakers and professionals in attendance.

Hong Kong filmmakers gathered in Phnom Penh to showcase the unique charm of Hong Kong cinema and foster cultural exchange The "Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation" in Phnom Penh, Cambodia included post-screening sharing sessions, media interviews, and film production conversations. The event caught attention from local audiences, filmmakers, and media, promoting film cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Cambodia.