The 18th Asian Film Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in filmmaking on March 16. Held at the Grand Theatre of the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District, the event recognized the best talents in Asian cinema. The prestigious Best Film award was conferred to Payal Kapadia for her film "All We Imagine As Light."
Daihachi Yoshida clinched the Best Director award for his compelling work in "Teki Cometh," demonstrating his exceptional directorial prowess. The Best Actor accolade went to Sean Lau for his performance in "Papa," while Shahana Goswami received the Best Actress award for her role in "Santosh."
"I’ve always felt under-confident. I want to thank AFAs jury for giving me this confidence again," said Shahana Goswami after receiving her award.
In the supporting actor categories, Lee Kang-sheng was honored with the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in "Stranger Eyes," and Yang Kuei-mei was named Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Yen And Ai-Lee."
The Best New Director award was given to Sandhya Suri for her film "Santosh," marking a significant accomplishment in her burgeoning career. Hayato Kurihara, recognized for his debut performance in "Happyend," took home the Best Newcomer award.
Mohammad Rasoulof's film "The Seed Of The Sacred Fig" earned him the Best Screenplay award, showcasing his narrative excellence. In technical categories, Cheung Ka Fai's editing in "Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In" won Best Editing, while Hong Kyeong-pyo's cinematography in "Harbin" was awarded Best Cinematography.
Chu Wan Pin's musical composition for "The Last Dance" earned him the Best Original Music award. Kenneth Mak and Chau Sai Hung Ambrose were recognized with the Best Production Design award for their work on "Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In."
Reflecting on the award ceremony, Payal Kapadia expressed her gratitude and emotional connection to Hong Kong, stating, "I’m so happy that we could end our journey here in Hong Kong, a city that has meant a lot to me, watching the amazing films from this city over the years."