THE 18TH ASIAN FILM AWARDS Final Nominations Announced!
Sammo HUNG announced as Jury President! Exhuma and Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In lead the nominations!
The Asian Film Awards Academy is thrilled to announce that the 18th Asian Film Awards will once again be held in Hong Kong. The grand awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District. The event, including the red carpet and ceremony, will be broadcast live via AFAA’s official online channels, sharing the joy and excitement of this spectacular celebration of Asian cinema with fans worldwide.
Supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, various exciting events will be held prior to the Awards Ceremony, including film screenings, masterclasses and sharing sessions, allowing audiences and fans to engage closely with Asian filmmakers!
The 18th Asian Film Awards feature a selection of 30 outstanding films from 25 countries and regions, competing across 16 awards. Notably, the South Korean film Exhuma has earned 11 nominations, marking it as the most-nominated film this year. Directed by JANG Jae-hyun, the film uniquely combines feng shui and traditional shamanism to uncover the secret of an ominous grave. The film also marks the return of legendary actor CHOI Min-sik to the big screen. Its nominations span categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Newcomer, Best Screenplay, Best Original Music, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound.
The Hong Kong action blockbuster Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In also stands out with nine nominations, including Best Film, Best Supporting Actor, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Original Music, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound. Adapted from the novel City of Darkness by Yuyi, the film is set in the ungoverned Kowloon Walled City of the 1980s, portraying a community banding together to fight against malevolent forces. With its themes of brotherhood and resilience, the film has achieved impressive box office success and reignited enthusiasm for Hong Kong action cinema.
With black and white cinematography, Teki Cometh captures the loneliness and struggles of a retired professor, reflecting on the final chapter of life. Directed by Japanese filmmaker YOSHIDA Daihachi, the film is an adaptation of the 1998 novel by renowned Japanese writer TSUTSUI Yasutaka. The film has earned six nominations, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, and Best Costume Design.
The French-Indian-Dutch-Luxembourg co-production All We Imagine As Light has also received six nominations. Directed by Indian filmmaker Payal KAPADIA, who made history as the first Indian female director to win the Cannes Grand Prix, the film explores the struggles and hopes of three women in Mumbai, showing how their lives shine despite challenging circumstances. In addition to nominations for Best Film, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Editing, KAPADIA herself is also nominated for Best Director and Best Screenplay.
Among the shortlisted Hong Kong films, Papa and The Last Dance each received three nominations. Papa, based on a true story, portrays a father’s effort to confront past traumas while preserving his bond with his son. It is nominated for Best Actor, Best Newcomer, and Best Editing, marking Sean LAU’s return to the Best Actor category since AFA9. The Last Dance, a record-breaking box office hit, is nominated for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Original Music. Focusing on the rarely addressed topic of Hong Kong’s funeral industry, The Last Dance highlights a compelling performance by Michael HUI, earning him another Best Actor nomination following his recognition at AFA11. All Shall Be Well explores familial bonds through the story of two close same-sex friends, as one’s death compels the other to face harsh realities. Veteran actress Maggie LI Lin Lin has earned her first-ever film award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for this role.
The internationally acclaimed film icon and director Sammo HUNG will serve as the Jury President for the 18th Asian Film Awards. HUNG expressed his honour in taking on the role, saying, “It is my pleasure to serve as the Jury President for the Asian Film Awards. It is a significant responsibility, and I hope to continue working with my peers to support the development of the Asian film industry.” He will lead the jury and collaborate with over 200 voting members to select this year’s award winners.
Dr. Wilfred WONG, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Asian Film Awards Academy, said, “The Asian Film Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements of Asian filmmakers while providing an important platform for cultural exchange and collaboration. As Asian cinema continues to shine internationally, the Academy remains dedicated to promoting its growth and nurturing new talent.”
PARK Kwang-Soo, Chairman of the Busan International Film Festival, said, “The Asian Film Awards plays a vital role in fostering the development of Asian cinema and recognising its achievements. I am confident this year’s ceremony will inspire further growth and creativity in the industry.”
ANDO Hiroyasu, Chairman of the Tokyo International Film Festival, commented, “Asian cinema has become a global hub of creativity. The Asian Film Awards honor outstanding talent and pave the way for the future of the industry.”
The Academy recently announced this year’s Asian Film Awards Ambassadors, receiving enthusiastic reactions. Japanese actor Dean FUJIOKA (Fullmetal Alchemist, Hit Me Anyone One More Time) serves as the Ambassador, leading four Youth Ambassadors: Thai actress Aokbab Chutimon (Bad Genius, Hunger), Taiwanese actor Austin LIN (Marry My Dead Body, At Cafe 6), Hong Kong actor LO Chun Yip (Time Still Turns the Pages, Suk Suk), and Japanese actor OKADA Masaki (Drive My Car, Confessions). The five actors, representing different regions of Asia, have confirmed their participation in various activities and the awards ceremony. The Asian Film Awards Academy will share the latest updates on its official website and social media platforms. Stay tuned!
