23rd New York Asian Film Festival

23rd New York Asian Film Festival

Official poster
Opening film	Victory by Park Beom-su
Closing film	Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In by Soi Cheang
Location	Film at Lincoln Center, New York
Founded	2002
Awards	Uncaged Award: Snow in Midsummer by Chong Keat Aun Audience Award: How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies by Pat Boonnitipat Rising Star Asia Award: Lee Hye-ri
Hosted by	New York Asian Film Foundation Inc.
Artistic director	Samuel Jamier
No. of films	94 films
Festival date	Opening: 12 July 2024 (2024-07-12) Closing: 28 July 2024 (2024-07-28)
Language	International
Website	NYAFF
New York Asian Film Festival
24th 22nd

The 23rd New York Asian Film Festival was held in New York on 12 July with World Premiere of South Korean film Victory by Park Beom-su, who attended the screening in person. In the 23rd edition 94 titles were screened in person. The film selection featured both contemporary and timeless titles from various Asian countries, as well as beyond, showcasing nine world premieres, 12 international premieres, and 38 North American premieres.^[1] Films from various genres from China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and beyond were screened.^[2][3]

In Star Asia Awards category, Asian stars were honoured with various awards such as: Nicholas Tse a Hong Kong actor, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and TV chef with Screen International Star Asia Award; Zhang Jianian (Tai Bo), Hong Kong and Taiwan film actor, with Screen International Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award; Lee Hye-ri, a South Korean actress, singer, and television personality, with Screen International Rising Star Asia Award; and Kento Yamazaki a Japanese actor and model, with Best from the East Award.^[2][4]

The festival was closed on 28 July with Hong Kong director Soi Cheang's film Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. A Malaysian co-production film Snow in Midsummer by Chong Keat Aun won the Uncaged Award for best feature film. It revolves around Ah Eng, a young woman, and her mother who lose contact with the father and brother of the former amid political riots. The Audience Award was awarded to Thailand film How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies by Pat Boonnitipat. , which follows M, a university dropout low on money and luck, volunteers to take care of his terminally ill grandmother in the hopes for an inheritance.^[5] In his closing speech the NYAFF Executive Director and President of the New York Asian Film Foundation Samuel Jamier said, "this year’s edition had "shattered expectations, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented 33% growth in both attendance and box office revenue, and one-third of our screenings sold out within days." He further said, "This year’s festival also showcased a broader range of narratives, from intimate personal dramas to epic historical sagas, reflecting the rich tapestry of Asian storytelling."^[6]

Jury is composed of:

• Tony Bui: Vietnamese-born American independent film director in the United States
• Shao-yi Chen: producer, Screenworks Asia
• Shaina Magdayao: Filipino actress
• Felix Tsang: Sales & Acquisitions Manager, Golden Scene
• Chanon Santinatornkul: Thai actor
• Aliza Ma: Head of Programming, the Criterion Channel

• Film at Lincoln Center^[7]
• Walter Reade Theater
• SVA Theatre
• Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center, 144 West 65th Street
• LOOK Cinemas W57
• Korean Cultural Center New York^[8][9]

Sources:^[10][11]

Source: ^[2][12]

Highlighted title indicates the Uncaged Award for best feature film winner.

Sources:^[13][14]

Actor	Country	Film/s	Ref.
Yugo Sakamoto	Japan	Baby Assassins: Nice Days	[2]

Image	Recipient	Country	Ref.
Screen International Star Asia Award
	Nicholas Tse	Hong Kong	[15]
Screen International Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award
	Zhang Jianian (Tai Bo) [zh]	Hong Kong	[2]
Screen International Rising Star Asia Award
	Lee Hye-ri	South Korea	[16]
Best from the East Award
	Kento Yamazaki	Japan	[2]

• Official website