The festival offers a kaleidoscopic trip through modern Asia with over 30 films that range from history-making blockbusters to arthouse gems and documentaries. We are honored to have Martin Koolhoven, Joko Anwar and Vanja Kaludjercic as our jury members. They will hand out awards for Best Film and newly created Best Director and Best Performer from a quality selection of eight titles.
CinemAsia Film Festival takes place 6-11 March 2018 at Kriterion and Rialto cinemas in
Amsterdam. With an unprecedented number of guests attending the festival, both the film industry and the public will have the precious opportunity to interact with creators who are making waves in Asia's dynamic cultural scene.
With ‘The Young Asian Generation' as a general theme we spotlight a new and successful crop of filmmakers and actors. Their authentic and fresh views give nuance and depth to this fascinating and complex continent.
Online ticket sales is available now. Explore the complete online film programme HERE or view the pdf of the programme booklet featuring background information on this years programmatic choices.
Indonesia focus
This year's special focus celebrates Indonesia's powerful resurgence with six amazingly diversefilms, with an emphasis on female filmmakers and strong female characters, such as Mouly Sourya's revenge thriller Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, or Kamila Andini's The Seen andUnseen, which uses a sensual cinematic language to evoke the dream space of children. Hanung Bramantyo's Kartini is a glossy epic that pays tribute to Raden Ajeng Kartini, Indonesia's mostfamous feminist and educator during the Dutch colonial era.
Our greatest honor to welcome acclaimed director Joko Anwar to present Satan's Slaves (2017), the highest grossing horror film in Indonesian history, and the country's 4th most successful film ever. You can meet Anwar both at the film's Q&A as well as attend his public Masterclass, where he'll share his insight in genre filmmaking.
Competition Jury 2018
After screening several of his best work at CinemAsia, Joko Anwar will finally attend the festival as a member of the Competition Jury, together with Martin Koolhoven (director/screenwriter, NL) and Vanja Kaludjercic (film programmer/head of Holland Film Meeting, CR/NL). On Sunday 11 March, they will announce the winners from the eight competition films under the categories Best Film, Best Director and Best Performer.
International Guests
In addition to Joko Anwar, the festival will welcome five other directors: Tam Wai-ching (In Your Dreams, Hong Kong, in Competition), Doris Wong (New Turn, Hong Kong-Taiwan), Giancarlo Abrahan (Please/Care, The Philippines 2017, in Competition), Huang Hui-chen (Small Talk, Taiwan, documentary, Official Selection and subject of our LGBT panel), Huang Hsin-yao (The Great Buddha +, Taiwan, in Competition) and Akio Fujimoto (Passage of Life, Japan, in Competition).
Akio Fujimoto's Passage of Life will have its international première at CinemAsia. This multiple award winning film is a beautiful and gripping testimony about the migrant experience – a subject that is both topical and universal. A Burmese family seeks asylum in Japan. But when this situation becomes unbearable, the mother takes her two sons back to Myanmar to stay with her extended family. However, the boys, who are born and schooled in Japan, face a devastating culture shock, provoking one to question concepts of ‘homeland' and identity.
The festival also offers a multifaceted side programme – including a Food Market for culinary
discoveries and a special LGBT programme on International Women's Day on 8 March. This year, the festival also has the specific goal to facilitate the encounter between the Asian and Dutch film industry and organises several dedicated events like roundtables and masterclasses.
