The world of Asian cinema's finest achievements, honoring the luminaries and narratives that define our diverse cultural landscape

On March 10, 2024, the spotlight of Asian cinema was at the Xiqu Centre, Hong Kong, as the 17th Asian Film Awards dazzled with brilliance. Organized annually by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA), a non-profit organization founded by the Busan, Hong Kong, and Tokyo International Film Festivals, the event aimed to celebrate excellence in the Asian film industry and recognize the talents behind the silver screen.

The Asian Film Awards debuted in 2007 and has since become the pinnacle of recognition for Asian cinema. The awards encompass prestigious categories such as Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress, selected by AFAA members consisting of past nominees and winners.

This year, Japan stood out by clinching several major awards, including Best Film for "Evil Does Not Exist," Best Director for Kore-eda Hirokazu, and Best Actor for Yakusho Koji. However, Hong Kong also brought home several significant accolades. Nick Cheuk received the Best New Director award for his film "Time Still Turns The Pages," a drama depicting a high school teacher's attempt to help a suicidal student, inadvertently triggering his own childhood trauma.

Moreover, the renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to Asian cinema. Zhang Yimou, who also received the Highest-Grossing Asian Film Award for his period comedy-drama "Full River Red," ex