Seven Japanese films will compete with outstanding films from around Asia
 
Veteran Director Kurosawa Kiyoshi to Serve as Jury President

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Hong Kong/Tokyo (January 12, 2024) — The Asian Film Awards Academy (AFA Academy or AFAA) announced the nominations for the 17th Asian Film Awards (AFA17) and the Jury President for this year in Hong Kong today.

 
Thirty-five films from 24 countries and regions have been shortlisted to compete for 16 awards at the AFA17, which celebrates artistic and technical achievements in Asian cinema. The prestigious lineup of nominees from around Asia includes seven Japanese films: Evil Does Not Exist (Director: HAMAGUCHI Ryusuke, the third consecutive year he has been nominated), Perfect Days (Wim Wenders), Monster (KORE-EDA Hirokazu), Yoko (KUMAKIRI Kazuyoshi), Kubi (KITANO Takeshi), Godzilla Minus One (YAMAZAKI Takashi, 36th Tokyo International Film Festival’s Closing Film) and Last Shadow at First Light (Nicole Midori Woodford).
 
Evil Does Not Exist received six nominations, making it one of the most nominated films in this year’s competition. Already awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival, it will compete for Best Film with German auteur Wim Wenders’ Japan-based drama and 36th TIFF’s Opening Film, Perfect Days, 12.12: The Day (KIM Sung-soo, Korea), which also received six nominations, the Sri Lanka-India co-production Paradise (Prasanna Vithanage) and China’s Snow Leopard (Pema Tseden), which won the 36th TIFF’s Grand Prix. These five distinctive Asian films from different regions are in the tight race for the highest honor of Best Film at AFA17.
 

The AFAA also announced that renowned Japanese director KUROSAWA Kiyoshi will serve as Jury President for this year’s Awards. His film Wife of a Spy won the Best Film at the 15th AFA in 2021. As the first Japanese director to serve as AFA Jury President, Kurosawa is deeply honored: “I am very privileged to be given this prestigious role. Asia is a treasure trove of films. I believe this comes from the rich diversity that exists among the various realities, stories, and people of this region. I look forward to discovering the richness of the totally unique films that no one has seen before at this year’s Asian Film Awards.” He will lead the Jury and over 200 Voting Members in selecting the winners for this year’s Asian Film Awards.
 
Japanese films and talents were nominated in 15 categories in total*, led by the award-winning film Evil Does Not Exist, which received nominations in six categories, including Best Film and Best Director. Monster, which won the Best Screenplay (SAKAMOTO Yuji) at the Cannes Film Festival, is nominated in three categories, including Best Director and Best Screenplay. Additionally, YAKUSHO Koji, who won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival, is nominated for Best Actor for Japanese Oscar submission Perfect Days, while KIKUCHI Rinko from Yoko is nominated for Best Actress. NAKAMURA Shido from Kubi is tipped for Best Supporting Actor and HAMABE Minami (Godzilla Minus One), along with TSUTSUI Mariko (Last Shadow at First Light) are nominated for Best Supporting Actress. *See below for the full list of nominations.
 
As previously announced, MIYAZAWA Hio, who won the Best Supporting Actor for Egoist at the 16th AFA, has been appointed as one of the Youth Ambassadors along with three Asian stars. Not only will the Youth Ambassadors take the stage together at the AFA ceremony, they will also participate in a number of AFA outreach events, meeting fans and cinephiles in conversations about their craft and their love of Asian cinema.
 
The AFA17, presented by the AFAA, will continue to be held in Hong Kong. With the support of CreateHK and the Film Development Fund, the AFA Ceremony will take place at the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District on March 10, 2024. The prestigious event will also be streamed live on the AFAA’s official YouTube Channel (youtube.com/@AsianFilmAwardsAcademy).
 
The 17th Asian Film Awards Ceremony
Date: March 10, 2024 (Sunday)
Location: Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District
Address: 88 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
 

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Dr Wilfred WONG, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of the AFAA said: “Asian cinema is in good hands with the wealth of film talents across Asia, and veteran filmmakers can pass the legacy on to the new generation. Asian Film Awards continues to offer a unique platform for such collaborations and exchanges. Looking ahead, the Academy will remain dedicated to promoting exchanges in film culture among countries and regions, empowering filmmakers to explore future directions of Asian cinema.”
 
ANDO Hiroyasu, Chairman of the Tokyo International Film Festival commented: “As Asian filmmakers continue to garner great acclaim internationally, it is gratifying to witness how Asian cinema is leaving its mark on the global film landscape.”
 
NAM Dong-Chul, interim festival director of Busan International Film Festival, said: “The Asian Film Awards have always played a significant role in recognizing the achievements and contributions of Asian film professionals. For the international film industry, the event provides poignant insights on excellence in Asian cinema.”
 

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Asian Film Awards (AFA) afa-academy.com
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.
 
Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA)
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.
 

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The 17th Asian Film Awards NOMINATION LIST
→LIST Download (PDF･775KB)