All We Imagine as Light Wins the Best Film Award!
The 18th Asian Film Awards Ceremony took place on March 16 at Hong Kong's Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District, bringing together filmmakers from across the region to celebrate outstanding achievements in cinema.
The 18th Asian Film Awards concluded on March 16, 2025 (Sunday) at the Grand Theatre of the Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District, with a spectacular ceremony recognising outstanding achievements in Asian cinema. This year’s competition was fierce, with a diverse range of films from across the region taking home top honours. Among the biggest winners of the night were South Korea’s Exhuma, Hong Kong’s Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, and the Singapore-Taiwan-France-United States co-production Stranger Eyes—each securing two awards. The Best Film Award went to the co-production between India, France, Netherlands, Luxembourg All We Imagine as Light, and the Best Director Award was awarded to YOSHIDA Daihachi for Teki Cometh.
The Best Actor Award went to Sean LAU for Papa, marking his first AFA win. The award was presented by last year’s Best Actor winner and this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award honouree, YAKUSHO Koji. In his acceptance speech, LAU expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m so happy that Papa is a Hong Kong production. I want to thank every cast member who played my family in the film. I truly believe in Hong Kong cinema, and let’s all work hard together. Thank you!” The Best Actress award was presented to Shahana GOSWAMI for Santosh, a co-production between India, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she shared, “I want to thank myself because I’ve always underconfident. Thank you, AFA, for giving me this award!”
In the supporting acting categories, two acclaimed performers and former Golden Horse winners took home the honours. LEE Kang-Sheng won Best Supporting Actor for Stranger Eyes, expressing his surprise: “I really didn’t expect this, as the competition was incredibly tough. This is my first Best Supporting Actor Award, even though I’ve won many Best Actor Awards before. I’m thrilled! When I won my Golden Horse Award, it was Sean LAU who presented it to me. Thank you all so much!” Meanwhile, YANG Kuei-Mei won Best Supporting Actress for Yen and Ai-Lee. Reflecting on her career, she said, “Being an actor is the greatest passion of my life. Every role I take on allows me to experience something I never have before, enriching my journey in ways I could never imagine.”
Apart from the 16 competitive awards, the Academy also presented a series of special honours celebrating outstanding contributions to Asian cinema. The Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Japanese screen icon YAKUSHO Koji, recognising his decades of excellence in film. Meanwhile, JANG Dong-gun and TANG Wei were honoured with the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award for their significant impact on the industry. The AFA Next Generation Award went to WU Kangren, acknowledging his versatility and rising influence in Asian cinema, while Kōki, was named the Rising Star Award, highlighting her promising future in the industry. All recipients were present at the ceremony to personally accept their awards, further elevating the night’s celebration of Asian filmmaking excellence.
The ceremony featured captivating live performances that added a special touch to the evening. Singer Jonathan WONG and musician Wan Pin CHU, the composer of box office breaking Ne Zha 2 original score opened the night with a beautiful violin and erhu performance of well-known film scores, setting the tone for a memorable celebration. The audience was also treated to a surprise appearance by Janice Vidal, who collaborated with renowned Japanese musicians FUJIWARA Ikuro and TOMODA Sho, delivering a unique and engaging musical performance.
Adding to the glamour of the night, an impressive lineup of industry veterans and rising stars took the stage as award presenters. Renowned filmmakers such as this year’s jury president Sammo HUNG, Venice Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Ann HUI, and Hong Kong Film Awards Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, veteran director NG See Yuen. Also presenting awards are Hong Kong Film Awards Best Director Award winner Stanley KWAN, along with acclaimed filmmakers Sunny CHAN, MATSUNAGA Daishi, Nick CHEUK, and Lawrence KAN presented awards to the night’s winners.
International film stars in attendance included Japanese rising star KAWAI Yuumi, Japan Academy Film Prize-winning actor IKEMATSU Sosuke, Malaysian actors LIN Min Chen and Jack TAN, and Thailand’s popular actor Win Metawin, who previously received the Asian Film Awards Rising Star Award, mainland actor Yosh YU and Taiwanese talents Cheryl YANG, Jasper LIU, and Alice KO.
Hong Kong was well-represented, with appearances from Golden Horse Best Actress Award winner CHUNG Suet Ying, Asian Film Awards Best Supporting Actress Award recipient Rachel LEUNG, nominee of the AFA18 best supporting actor Philip NG, veteran actor Kenny WONG, and multitalented artists Louis CHEUNG, Kay TSE and rising star MC CHEUNG Tin Fu. DEAN Fujioka, the AFA18 Ambassador, along with Youth Ambassadors Aokbab Chutimon, Austin Lin, OKADA Masaki, and LO Chun Yip, also took part in the ceremony, further celebrating the brilliance of Asian cinema.
With a dazzling mix of film veterans, rising stars, and exceptional performances, the 18th Asian Film Awards once again highlighted the diversity and strength of Asian cinema, reinforcing its global influence and artistic excellence.
Full list of the 18th Asian Film Awards
Best FilmAll We Imagine as Light (India, France, Netherlands, Luxembourg)
Best DirectorYOSHIDA Daihachi – Teki Cometh (Japan)
Best ActorSean Lau – Papa (Hong Kong)
Best ActressShahana GOSWAMI – Santosh (India, United Kingdom, France, Germany)
Best Supporting ActorLee Kang-Sheng – Stranger Eyes (Singapore, Taiwan, France, United States)
Best Supporting ActressYang Kuei-Mei – Yen and Ai-Lee (Taiwan)
Best New DirectorSandhya SURI – Santosh (India, United Kingdom, France, Germany)
Best NewcomerKURIHARA Hayato – Happyend (Japan)
Best Screenplay
Mohammad RASOULOF – The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Iran, Germany, France)
Best EditingCHEUNG Ka Fai – Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (Hong Kong)
Best CinematographyHONG Kyeong-pyo – Harbin (South Korea)
Best Original MusicWan Pin CHU – The Last Dance (Hong Kong)
Best Costume DesignCHOI Yoon-sun – Exhuma (South Korea)
Best Production DesignKenneth MAK, CHAU Sai Hung Ambrose – Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (Hong Kong)
Best Visual EffectsKIM Shin-chul, Daniel SON – Exhuma (South Korea)
Best SoundTU Duu-Chih, TU Tse-Kang – Stranger Eyes (Singapore, Taiwan, France, United States)
Asian Film Awards Academy
The Asian Films Awards Academy, a non-profit organization, was founded by Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo International Film Festivals with the shared goal of celebrating excellence in Asian cinema. Aiming to promote and recognize Asian films and its talents, AFAA highlights, strengthens and develops 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 in Asia and around the world.
More details: www.afa-academy.com
Please contact us if any questions,
Email: info@afa-academy.com
Tel: +852 3195 0609
Website: www.afa-academy.com
