The Academy of Asian Film Awards has announced a star-studded line-up for its 19th edition, announcing three major masterclass events featuring Fan Dong-hyuk, creator of Netflix’s global phenomenon “Squid Game,” acclaimed Chinese director Jia Zhangku, and top actor Zhang Ziyi.
Sponsored by AFAA and supported by the Cultural, Creative Industries Development Authority and the Film Development Fund, the March 15 program will be held at the Grand Theater of the Xiqu Center in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui district. Masterclasses span acting, auteur filmmaking and series production, inviting audiences to explore contemporary cinema from multiple perspectives.
The Academy of Asian Film Awards is a non-profit organization established by the Busan, Hong Kong, and Tokyo International Film Festivals to promote and recognize Asian films and talent, and to celebrate excellence in Asian cinema.
The academy previously announced it would cancel all competitive awards categories at this year’s ceremony and only award special honors in a “dignified and minimalist manner” in the wake of last year’s devastating Hong Kong fires, which claimed more than 150 lives. The revised format is in line with Hong Kong government guidelines for curbing public events in the wake of the tragedy.
Fan’s Masterclass examines his creative journey from social dramas like “Silent” to the comedy “Miss Granny,” and explores how years of persistence culminated in “The Squid Game,” which transformed a childhood game into a globally resonant theme of class and survival.
Known for his understated realism in films such as Pickpocket, Platform and Still Life, Jia talks about his creative philosophy. The director, a regular at film festivals in Venice, Cannes and Berlin, has spent decades capturing the changing lives of people in China.
Ms. Zhang’s session, combined with the awards ceremony, will focus on her approach to expanding character building and narrative space for Chinese actors on the world stage. Known for her performances in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “The Grandmaster,” and “The Jasmine Woman,” Chan has also served as a jury member at major film festivals.
AFAA also announced three youth ambassadors: Thai actor Piravich Atachisataporn (Meen), Hong Kong’s Natalie Hsu, and Taiwan’s Kent Tsai. The awards ceremony will be attended by emerging Asian actors from various regions and will highlight the new energy shaping the future of Asian cinema.
From 2023 onwards, the special programs of the Asia Film Awards have received a great response, and screenings and talks have attracted a high level of interest. This year’s lineup also includes Asian Cinerama and In Conversation events, details to be announced in due course.
