The Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) announced today the nominees of the 15th Asian Film Awards (AFA15).
China's “One Second”, South Korea's “The Book of Fish”, India's “The Disciple”, and two Japanese films, “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy and “Wife of a Spy” are competing for this year's “Best Film Award.”
World renowned directors, Zhang Yimou, Lee Joon-ik, Kurosawa Kiyoshi and internationally acclaimed Hamaguchi Ryusuke, and Adilkhan Yerzhanov are in a tight race for “Best Director.”
In 2020, the 14th Asian Film Awards moved to Busan, South Korea for the first time and was held online due to Covid-19 restrictions. This year the awards will be held again in conjunction with the Busan International Film Festival on 8 October 2021 (Friday). The ceremony will commence in a hybrid form, which combines on-site attendance in Busan and online participation.
The AFAA is honoured that legendary South Korean filmmaker, Lee Chang-dong will be this year's Jury President. Leewas the lifetime award recipient at the 13th Asian Film Awards. He won the “Best Director Award” at Venice Film Festival with his third feature film, “Oasis” in 2002. His fourth feature, “Secret Sunshine” (2007) earned its lead actress, Jeon Do-yeon, the “Best Actress Award” at the 61st Cannes Film Festival in 2007.His next work, “Poetry” (2010) won the “Best Screenplay Award” at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival in 2010; Lee's following feature “Burning” (2018) was based on MURAKAMI Haruki's short story “Barn Burning,” won the FIPRESCI award in Cannes Film Festival.
Inaugurated in 2007, the Asian Film Awards celebrates excellence in Asian cinema through the annual presentation of awards to talents and films that make up the dynamic film industries of Asia. It originated in Hong Kong, but is held in different Asian locations such as Busan and Macao, to reflect its reach across the region.
