HONG KONG — South Korea’s cinematic gem “Exhuma” leads the pack with an impressive 11 nominations at the 18th Asian Film Awards, closely followed by the Hong Kong action epic “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In,” which garnered nine nods. The diverse field of nominees highlights a total of 30 films from 25 countries and regions contending in 16 different categories.
Esteemed martial arts legend Sammo Hung will preside over the jury this year. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 16 in Hong Kong, spotlighting the best of Asian filmmaking talent. Hung, celebrated for his decades-long career in the film industry, expressed his honor and responsibility in leading the jury, emphasizing his commitment to nurturing the growth of Asian cinema.
“Exhuma,” directed by Jang Jae-hyun, received nominations across a broad spectrum of categories, including Best Film and Best Director, signaling a strong reception to its heartrending narrative and technical execution. On the other side, “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In,” adapted from the novel “City of Darkness” by Yuyi, excels in the technical stakes, gaining nods for Best Supporting Actor and Best Cinematography, among others.
The lineup for Best Film also includes “All We Imagine as Light” by Payal Kapadia, a notable entry that marks Kapadia as the first Indian female director to clinch the Cannes Grand Prix. Kapadia herself earned nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay, highlighting her groundbreaking work in the industry. The film received a total of six nominations. Other strong contenders in the Best Film category are the Chinese film “Black Dog” and the Japanese drama “Teki Cometh,” which explores the life of a retired professor grappling with his life’s twilight years.
Wilfred Wong, the chairman of the Asian Film Awards Academy, remarked on the significance of the awards in promoting cultural exchange and acknowledging the exceptional work of filmmakers across Asia. He noted the platform’s role in fostering new talents and reinforcing the international stature of Asian cinema.
As the film industry globally faces dynamic changes and challenges, the Asian Film Awards continue to be a beacon of excellence, celebrating achievements and innovations in Asian storytelling and craftsmanship.
The list of nominations includes a diverse array of talents competing for accolades such as Best Actor, which sees nominees like Choi Min-sik for “Exhuma” and Eddie Peng for “Black Dog.” Best Actress nominees include Kim Go-eun for “Exhuma” among others, demonstrating the diverse range of performances celebrated this year.
In addition to the main categories, the awards will also recognize potential future stars in the Best Newcomer category and innovative artistic endeavors in categories like Best Costume Design and Best Visual Effects.
As the awards approach, the attention of the international film community turns to Hong Kong, in anticipation of celebrating another year of distinguished cinematic achievements.
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