Exciting Dropping: AFA18 Featured Programmes Unveiled！
TU Duu-Chih's First Masterclass and Other Top Film Talents Gather in Hong Kong!
The 18th Asian Film Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre at West Kowloon Cultural District. The red carpet and ceremony will be broadcast live on the Asian Film Awards Academy YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/AsianFilmAwardsAcademy) at 17:00 (HKT), with a broadcast on TVB Plus (Channel 82) exclusively.
Building on last year’s successful side events that drew full-house audiences, this year’s edition will once again gather a host of Asia’s leading film professionals in Hong Kong. Today, we are excited to unveil the first round of programmes and speakers, featuring an in-depth masterclass and four insightful conversations with nominees, leading up to the awards ceremony.
TU Duu-chih’s Masterclass: Echoes of Light and Sound
Taiwanese veteran sound designer TU Duu-Chih, a master of cinematic sound and four-time Asian Film Awards winner for The Assassin, The Great Buddha+, and Anita, will host his first-ever masterclass in Hong Kong. With over three decades of experience, he has collaborated with top directors including WONG Kar-wai and HOU Hsiao-hsien, and played a key role in elevating Chinese-language cinema on the global stage. His work has earned him international acclaim, including the Technical Grand Prize at Cannes and induction into AMPAS. In this exclusive session, TU will explore the art of sound design, analysing how sound enhances storytelling through case studies of his award-winning work and sharing key techniques.
Stealing the Scene: The Best Supporting Actors Conversation
The discussion session “Spotlight on the Wings” brings together this year’s Best Supporting Actor nominees: LEE Kang-Sheng (Taiwan) from Stranger Eyes, Tommy CHU (Hong Kong) from The Last Dance, and Philip NG (Hong Kong) from Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, for an in-depth conversation on shaping unforgettable supporting characters. Though experienced in leading roles, these actors have left a strong mark in supporting performances. LEE Kang-Sheng is a Golden Horse Best Actor winner, Tommy CHU is often called a scene-stealer by audiences, and Philip NG, a martial arts actor, delivers powerful performances. They will share insights on character development and how to make a lasting impact within limited screen time.
Bringing Stories to Life: The Art of Production Design
Production design shapes a film’s world, setting its tone, era, and depth of storytelling. In the upcoming conversation “Painting on the Cinematic Canvas”, seasoned designers behind many cinematic classics, HUO Tingxiao (Mainland China) from Black Dog and Kenneth MAK (Hong Kong) from Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, will share their creative process. HUO, known for his collaborations with ZHANG Yimou, has won multiple Golden Rooster Awards and received recognition at Cannes for The Emperor and the Assassin. MAK, praised for his detailed recreations of Hong Kong’s cityscapes, has worked on the Ip Man series and earned accolades from the Hong Kong Film Awards and Golden Horse Awards. Together, they will explore how production design brings stories to life and immerses audiences in the film’s world.
Scoring the Screen: The Power of Film Music
In “Composing the Notes of Cinema”, the Best Original Music nominees—Hi’Spec (Japan) from All the Long Nights, KIM Tae-seong (South Korea) from Exhuma, KATSUMOTO Michiaki (Japan), from The Box Man, and Wan Pin CHU (Hong Kong) from The Last Dance—unite to explore the power of film music. From experimental hip-hop to orchestral scores, each composer brings a unique harmonic vision to cinema. Hi’Spec is a renowned independent hip-hop artist and longtime collaborator of director MIYAKE Sho. KIM Tae-seong has scored South Korean blockbuster epic The Admiral: Roaring Currents. KATSUMOTO Michiaki is known for his distinctive soundscapes, while Wan Pin CHU contributed to the record-breaking, the highest-grossing animated film globally, Ne Zha series. They will share their creative process and how music elevates storytelling beyond the screen.
Breaking Boundaries: The Next Wave of Asian Directors
This year’s Best New Director nominees, SORA Neo (Japan) from Happyend, DONG Zijian (Mainland China) from My Friend An Delie, and TRUONG Minh Quý (Vietnam) from Viêt and Nam, will take part in “Shaping Tomorrow’s Cinema”, exploring how fresh styles and perspectives are expanding filmmaking possibilities. These rising directors bring bold creativity to the screen—SORA Neo’s debut offers a distinct take on youth, DONG Zijian transitions from actor to director with a self-directed first feature, and TRUONG Minh Quý develops a striking visual identity with 16mm film in his Cannes-selected work. This discussion will explore their challenges they face, and how they are redefining cinematic storytelling for a new generation.
The Asian Film Awards featured programmes, including masterclasses and In Conversation, are presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy with support from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency as well as Film Development Fund. The events will take place from March 14 to 16, 2025, across multiple venues, including the Xiqu Centre at the West Kowloon Cultural District, Lau Bak Livehouse, and Broadway Cinematheque. Registration is now open. For more details, please visit the official AFAA website (www.afa-academy.com) and social media platforms.
The 18th Asian Film Awards featured programme schedule
Masterclass – TU Duu-Chih: Echoes of Light and Sound
Date: 2025.03.15 (Sat) 16:00 – 17:30
Location: Tea House Theatre, Xiqu Centre, WestK
Guest: Tu Duu-Chih
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/Ddzck2dZ7SMydULe8
Spotlight on the Wings – In Conversation with Best Supporting Actor Nominees
Date: 2025.03.14 (Fri) 20:00 – 21:30
Location: FHKA Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre, WestK
Guest Speakers:
LEE kang-Sheng (Taiwan) from Stranger Eyes
Tommy CHU (Hong Kong) from The Last Dance
Philip NG (Hong Kong) from Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In
Registration Link : https://forms.gle/xaGDxHuEC8cnkeX77
Shaping Tomorrow’s Cinema – In Conversation with Best New Director Nominees
Date: 2025.03.15 (Sat) 12:00 – 13:30
Location: 1/F, Broadway Cinematheque
Guest Speakers:
SORA Neo (Japan) from Happyend
DONG Zijian (Mainland China) from My Friend An Delie
TRUONG Minh Quý (Vietnam) from Viêt and Nam
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/mH46nPJKSGoT22ap8
Painting on the Cinematic Canvas – In Conversation with Best Production Design Nominees
Date: 2025.03.15 (Sat) 14:00 – 15:30
Location: FHKA Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre
Guest Speakers:
HUO Tingxiao (Mainland China) from Black Dog
Kenneth MAK (Hong Kong) from Twilight of Warriors: Walled In
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/9JtrLuc1N2zN3daSA
Composing the Notes of Cinema – In Conversation with Best Original Music Nominees
Date: 2025.03.15 (Sat) 19:30 – 21:00
Location: Lau Bak Livehouse, G/F, Freespace, Art Park
Guest Speakers:
Hi’Spec (Japan) from All the Long Nights
KIM Tae-seong (South Korea) from Exhuma
KATSUMOTO Michiaki (Japan) from The Box Man
Wan Pin CHU (Hong Kong) from The Last Dance
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/APUi84NcYB3H1QMD6
*Final schedule is subject to the Asian Film Awards Academy’s announcement. Please check the official website and social media for updates
The 18th Asian Film Awards
Red Carpet and Awards Ceremony
Date: March 16, 2025 (Sunday)
Venue: Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre, WestK
Address: 88 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Screenings, In Conversations, and Other Promotional Activities
Dates: March 14 to 16, 2025
Broadcasting Partner: YouTube
The official YouTube channel of the Asian Film Awards Academy, @AsianFilmAwardsAcademy, will be streaming live from 17:00 onwards.
Official TV Broadcaster: TVB
Exclusive channel TVB Plus (Channel 82).
The 18th Asian Film Awards Official Page: https://www.afa-academy.com/awards-en/
Asian Film Awards Academy
Asian Film Awards Academy is a non-profit organisation founded by Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo International Film Festivals with the shared goal of celebrating excellence in Asian cinema. In addition to the annual Asian Film Awards, the Academy hosts year-round events and programmes with the objectives to promote Asian films to a broader audience, expand the film market within Asia, and foster connections among film professionals in Hong Kong and beyond.
The Asian Film Awards has been held for 17 years, featuring distinguished awards such as Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor/Actress. The voting panel, composed of nominees and winners from previous years, participates annually in selecting the winners across all categories for the Asian Film Awards. Panel members also have the opportunity to attend events organised by the Academy across Asia and worldwide, engaging with industry professionals and audiences.
Official website: www.afa-academy.com
