Focus Asia, the industry arm of the Far East Film Festival, has announced the full contents of the 2026 edition. This includes 13 projects in the All Genre Project Market and six titles in Far East in Progress, as well as the announcement of a new post-production award sponsored by Bangkok-based White Light Studio. The market will be held in Udine, Italy from April 27th to 29th.
The All-Genre Project Market selection was chosen by a seven-person panel from over 120 submissions across 24 countries, ranging from drama, youth, arthouse, magical realism, crime, science fiction, and fantasy. The 13 projects each represent a different area. “The Road to Etretat”, directed by Su-Won Shin and produced by June Film (Korea). “Adarna” directed by Royce Patiño and produced by Elastica Films and Matryuska Producciones (Spain). “Dear Sơn An” directed by Kim Quy Bui and produced by Varan (Vietnam) and A Company Film (Germany). “Holy Mother” Directed by Sinun Winahyoko and produced by KrossKultur Media (Indonesia). “We Must Have Sex Before the World Ends” is directed by Andrea Benjamin Manenti and produced by Volos Film Italia, Citrullo International (Italy), Epicmedia (Philippines) and Puffin Pictures (France). “Naked in Glendale” is directed by Haohao Yan and produced by Seesaw Productions (China) and Q&A Entertainment (USA). “New Life” directed by Li Yingtong and produced by Yitis Film (China).
Rounding out the all-genre selection is “Noodles, Our Love Was Instant and Eternal,” directed by Warmy Alcazaren and produced by Daluyon Studios and Twofold (Philippines). “Route 7” Directed by Jinrun Chun and produced by Cloud 11 Studio (Japan). “Snake in the Dreamscapes,” directed by Lou Yi An and produced by Content Digital Film and Hope Content Marketing (Taiwan). “Somewhere in the South” is directed by Ce Ding Tan and produced by Evil Genius Studio (Malaysia) and Giraffe Pictures (Singapore). “UFO Club” Directed by Milena Kaneko, produced by K2 Pictures and Bunbuku (Japan). Wake Me Up is directed by Kok Rui Lau and produced by Thousand Sails Pictures (Hong Kong), Volos Film Italia (Italy), and Janji Pictures Production (Malaysia).
The six titles selected for Far East in Progress, a platform for Asian films in post-production aiming for international distribution or festival premieres, are as follows. “Good Death” Directed by Jun Funahashi and produced by Big River Film (Japan), Flash Forward Entertainment (Taiwan), and Harine Films (Poland). “Midnight Sun”, directed by Zhejian Michael Cong and produced by Màn Rán Studio (USA) and Oui Production (France). “Picturehouse,” directed by Nguyen Minh Nguyen Vo and produced by Girel Productions (France), East Films (Vietnam), Ad Oil Films (Singapore), and Daluyon Studios (Philippines). “Sanamsar”, directed by Bat-Amgalan Lkhagvajav and produced by Media Crackers LLC (Mongolia). “The Quiet Applause” directed by Byun Sung-bin and produced by Ssarinamu Film (Korea). The production is supervised by a selection committee headed by Marie-Pierre Vallée.
The newly created White Light/Focus Asia Award, valued at $20,000 in professional post-production services, will be presented to the strongest projects from both the all-genre market and the ongoing Far East. This is the first time that White Light Studio will be participating in Focus Asia as an awards partner.
Organizers cited recent graduates as evidence of the department’s accomplishments. Ang Geck Geck Priscilla’s Ah Girl was screened at the Rotterdam International Film Festival earlier this year and is currently in competition at FEFF28, while Yukari Sakamoto’s White Flowers and Fruits premiered at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in 2025.
The Italian Ministry of Culture continues to be Focus Asia’s main institutional patron, with Cinecittà providing organizational support such as a special opening night reception and a showcase of Italian producers. The Italian trade agency ICE is also deepening its partnerships with markets, with the goal of increasing the participation of senior decision-makers in Asia. A separate co-production lab was organized in collaboration with Cinecittà, CCIDAHK Hong Kong and Telefilm Canada. Europa Distribution and Europa International return as partners, with the latter participating for the second consecutive year.
New programming additions for 2026 include an animation think tank developed with Anima Mundi, a box office research panel covering the global performance of Asian titles, and a session on vertical content exploring the rise of microdrama and its impact on IP development and digital distribution.
The 2026 edition of Focus Asia is expected to attract more than 200 industry representatives from Europe, Asia and Canada.
