Audience Award goes to pan-Asian box-office smash
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
Uncaged Award goes to history-making Malaysia-Taiwan-Singapore title
Snow in Midsummer,
with Special Jury Award to Indonesian social drama Women from Rote Island
The 23rd edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) wrapped up a blockbuster 17-day run on Sunday night, following stage appearances by 130 acclaimed filmmakers, international stars and other notable guests from across Asia and the Asian diaspora, and screenings of over 90 films from July 12 to 28 at Film at Lincoln Center (FLC), the SVA Theatre, with additional screenings at LOOK Cinemas W57, plus special presentations at the Korean Cultural Center New York. This year’s epic NYAFF featured new and classic titles from China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and beyond, with nine world premieres, 12 international premieres, and 38 North American premieres. A record one-third of the screenings were sold out.
The July 28 closing night celebration at SVA Theatre began with a thronged red carpet, followed by awards announcements and the North American premiere of Twilight Warrior: Walled In, with producer John Chong and actor Philip Ng in person for a Q&A session.
The NYAFF 2024 Audience Award went to the pan-Asian box-office smash How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. The film, from Thai director Pat Boonnitipat, stars superstar Billkin as a slacker who quits his job to become his grandma’s caregiver. Audience Award runner-ups were Soi Cheang’s nonstop actioner Twilight Warrior: Walled In, followed by a tie for third place between Taiwanese director Leo Wang’s Breaking and Re-entering, a hilarious reverse-heist action-comedy with a star-studded cast; and Japanese director Kazuya Shiraishi’s epic yet elegiac jidaigeki samurai film Bushido.
The Best Short Film Award went to Cross My Heart and Hope to Die, from the Philippines’ Sam Manacsa, with the jury commenting: “Cinema is a reflection of the human spirit. The film we chose was actually the only film of the 26 that made it on the individual list of all four judges.” Two additional Special Mention awards were also announced: The Boys and the Donkey, from China’s Tsering Yangjyab, and White Butterfly, from Vietnamese-American director Catherine T. Nguyen. The Shorts Showcase jury was composed of filmmaker Patrick Chen, actor Shuhei Kinoshita, actor Perry Yung, and academic Zhang Zhen.
NYAFF’s Uncaged Award Competition, which shines a spotlight on filmmakers whose singular visions deserve to be internationally heralded, included eight titles from directors in China, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia/Taiwan/Singapore. The section is a celebration of passion, imagination, and the willingness to take risks. NYAFF believes these are the filmmakers to watch, the ones who are bending and rewriting the rules and creating something new and exciting.The Uncaged winner was selected by a jury composed of director Tony Bui, producer Shao-yi Chen, Criterion Channel programming head Aliza Ma, actor Nonkul, actress Shaina Magdayao, and sales & acquisitions manager Felix Tsang.
The Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film went to Snow in Midsummer (Chong Keat Aun, Malaysia/Taiwan/Singapore), which just made history in Malaysia, where it became the first film about the tragic riots of May 13, 1969 to ever be released. The jury cited “its rich, layered, and emotionally complex portrayal of a largely forgotten injustice, which does what cinema at its best can do: it reminds us that some things should not remain forgotten and that through stories, we can explore the depths of human experience, confront painful truths, and foster greater understanding and empathy.”
Director Chong Keat Aun commented, “This film was released nationwide in Malaysia last week, but in a version that is incomplete. It contains 27 instances of blacked-out, blurred-out or muted scenes. For the past 50 years, this incident has not been spoken about in Malaysia, so hopefully this award will be a message to the Malaysian government that one day, the complete version of the film can be seen. The award goes to all the family members of the victims and those still searching for closure. We’ll be with you until you find everything that you’re looking for. ”
A Special Jury Award was also given to Women from Rote Island (Jeremias Nyangoen, Indonesia), with the jury citing it for “its courageous and uncompromising portrayal of women as second-class citizens through the lens of a heinous act that tears a family and community apart, and its incredible use of non-actors to tell a difficult story in a region rarely portrayed on screen.” Accepting the award on behalf of the director, producer John Badalu noted that, “There were so many strong films in competition, this was totally unexpected. I hope this will increase the awareness and visibility of the film itself in Indonesia. This award goes to all the women in the world.”
Closing out the festival, NYAFF Executive Director and President of the New York Asian Film Foundation Samuel Jamier told the audience, “The 23rd edition of the New York Asian Film Festival has shattered expectations, proving that Asian cinema’s appeal continues to surge across the city. With our expanded lineup of nearly 100 films across 5 screens, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented 33% growth in both attendance and box office revenue. One-third of our screenings sold out within days, a testament to New Yorkers’ appetite for diverse storytelling. Our expanded Thai and Taiwanese sections were particular highlights, while the triumphant return of major Hong Kong productions rekindled the city’s love affair with this vibrant cinema. 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. As we hosted 130 filmmakers and special guests, the festival has truly become the nexus for Asian cinema in North America, reaffirming our mission to bridge cultures through the power of film.”
The New York Asian Film Festival was co-presented by the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center, and takes place from July 12–22, 2024 at FLC’s Walter Reade Theater (165 W 65th Street), and from July 22–28 at the SVA Theatre (333 W 23rd Street). There will also be screenings July 13–15, July 18–21, and July 23–25 at LOOK Cinemas W57 (657 W 57th Street), and a special collaborative lineup at the Korean Cultural Center New York (122 E 32nd Street). NYAFF is curated by executive director Samuel Jamier, associate director Claire Marty, programmers David Wilentz, Karen Severns, Koichi Mori, Thailand expert Donsaron Kovitvanitcha, and China Region Consultant Dana Fukazawa; the short film program is curated by Elliot Gong.
For additional information, please visit New York Asian Film Festival at nyaff.org, and follow us on social media @filmlinc and @nyaff.
This year’s poster image is from the film The Time of Huan Nan, © Leading Creative CO., LTD
NEW YORK ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL (NYAFF)
Celebrating its 23rd edition in 2024, the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) is North America’s leading festival of Asian cinema. It was called “the best film festival in New York” by The Village Voice and “arguably the world’s best-curated program of new and classic Asian cinema” by IndieWire. Launched in 2002, the festival showcases a wildly diverse lineup of singular titles each year, ranging from mainstream blockbusters and art-house eccentricities to genre and cult classics. It was the first North American film festival to champion the works of Johnnie To, Bong Joon Ho, Park Chan-wook, Takashi Miike, and other auteurs of contemporary Asian cinema. Notable festival guests have included Lee Byung-hun, Ryoo Seung-wan, Masami Nagasawa, Sammo Hung, Lee Jung-jae, and Jackie Chan. Since 2010, NYAFF has been produced in collaboration with Film at Lincoln Center.
For more information, visit nyaff.org and follow @NYAFF on: Instagram, Facebook, X, #NYAFF2024
NEW YORK ASIAN FILM FOUNDATION
The New York Asian Film Foundation Inc. is America’s premier 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the exhibition and appreciation of Asian film culture in all its forms, with year-round festivals and programs, and a view to building bridges between Asia and America.
The New York Asian Film Foundation’s flagship event is the annual New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), which has been presented in collaboration with Film at Lincoln Center since 2010. Now celebrating its 22nd year, NYAFF is North America’s leading festival of Asian cinema.
The foundation’s other events and initiatives include special screening events and an annual Winter Showcase at the SVA Theatre.
The New York Asian Film Festival, a program of the New York Asian Film Foundation, is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
FILM AT LINCOLN CENTER
Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) is a nonprofit organization that celebrates cinema as an essential art form and fosters a vibrant home for film culture to thrive. FLC presents premier film festivals, retrospectives, new releases, and restorations year-round in state-of-the-art theaters at New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. FLC offers audiences the opportunity to discover works from established and emerging directors from around the world with a passionate community of film lovers at marquee events including the New York Film Festival and New Directors/New Films.
Founded in 1969, FLC is committed to preserving the excitement of the theatrical experience for all audiences, advancing high-quality film journalism through the publication of Film Comment, cultivating the next generation of film industry professionals through our FLC Academies, and enriching the lives of all who engage with our programs.
Film at Lincoln Center receives generous, year-round support from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Film at Lincoln Center. For more information, visit filmlinc.org and follow @filmlinc on X and Instagram.
SVA Theatre
SVA Theatre is the cultural center of New York’s artistically vibrant Chelsea neighborhood. The Theatre serves the School of Visual Arts, the arts and entertainment industries, and the community at large as a stage for the presentation of noteworthy artistic work. From film screenings to artist lectures to design conferences and more, SVA Theatre hosts a variety of events year-round, many of which are free and open to the public.
For more information, visit svatheatre.com and follow @svatheatre on X and Instagram
LOOK Cinemas 57W
About LOOK Dine-In Cinemas: LOOK Dine-In Cinemas is an innovator in the entertainment space and incorporates the newest technology to maximize the movie-going experience. LOOK’s auditoriums provide a state-of-the-art viewing environment for guests, featuring laser projection, wall-to-wall oversize screens, digital surround sound systems and luxury recliner seating. Look & Dine mobile ordering enables guests to customize their food and beverage choices and orders are delivered directly to their seats. LOOK Dine-In Cinemas operates 13 theaters and approximately 130 screens located in Texas, California, Florida, Arizona, Georgia, Virginia and New York. For more information and to buy tickets, visit lookcinemas.com.
