Zhang Ziyi, Jia Zhang-ke and Hwang Dong-hyuk Lead Asian Film Awards Weekend

Images Courtesy of Asian Film Awards and reposted from @asianfilmawardsacademy.
Written by Fête Chinoise Editorial Team (Kayla Lo).

It was a buzzing weekend for the global film industry, with the Academy Awards took place on Sunday. Meanwhile, in Asia, the Asian Film Awards also successfully concluded its 19th edition in Hong Kong, bringing together film talents and audiences to celebrate the richness of Asian cinema.

Due to the tragic Wang Fuk Court fire, this year’s company adopted a simpler format, presenting only three special awards.

Among the special honours, Hong Kong actor Terrance Lau 劉俊謙 received the Rising Star Award. His performances in films such as Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, A Balloon’s Landing, and Stuntman have earned him widespread recognition across the region.

The AFA Next Generation Award was presented to Chinese actor Liu Haoran 劉昊然 for his performances, including in the popular Detective Chinatown, as well as his active participation in cinema. The Excellence in Asian Cinema Award went to Zhang Ziyi 章子怡, who remarked in her speech: “Asian culture holds a profound and enduring heritage, filled with stories waiting to be told. I hope filmmakers across Asia will continue to work together to create films that express the strength and spirit of our culture.”

“Asian culture holds a profound and enduring heritage, filled with stories waiting to be told. I hope filmmakers across Asia will continue to work together to create films that express the strength and spirit of our culture.”

— Zhang Ziyi 章子怡

Beyond the awards presentation, a variety of programmes took place throughout the Asian Film Awards weekend. These included Asian Cinerama screenings, masterclass series, and “In Conversation” sessions. The masterclass series featured acclaimed Chinese director Jia Zhang-ke 賈樟柯, renowned Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi 章子怡, and Hwang Dong-hyuk 黃東赫, the director of the phenomenal TV series Squid Game. These sessions offered film lovers rare insights into the creative journeys behind some of Asia’s most influential works.

As a young and evolving platform, the Asian Film Awards remains committed to promoting Asian cinema and nurturing emerging talent. This year’s Youth Ambassadors: Kent Tsai 蔡凡熙, Natalie Hsu 許恩怡, and Mean Phiravich Attachisataporn 洪天逸 took the stage to share how cinema bridges cultures and connects people across borders.

Asian cinema continues to look forward with momentum. The upcoming Hong Kong Film Awards 2026 will take place on April 19—stay tuned for more coverage!

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