Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) 2023, which began on March 10, has finished its 10-day screening run on Sunday March 19 with the World Premiere of “Side by Side”, a magical-realist mystery drama, the second film as director from prolific screenwriter ITO Chihiro. The screening at Osaka came ahead of its nationwide release on April 14.
Before it was screened, the award ceremony was held and the results for each of the categories were announced.
The results of each award are below, beginning with the Grand Prix for films in the Competition section.
Osaka Asian Film Festival 2023 Award Winners
★ Grand Prix (Best Picture Award)
This award is given to the best film among the Competition films, as selected by the jury. The winner receives 500,000 yen. The OAFF 2023 Jury, comprised of directors HO Cheuk Tin, HSIEH Pei-ju, and journalist TSUKINAGA Rie, having viewed all 14 films in competition, decided as follows:
Winner | “Like & Share” | Indonesia | Director: Gina S. NOER
Jury Comment:
All of us on the jury were struck by the film's clear and powerful message, which affirms young women's sexual curiosity and desire while clearly saying no to sexual violence. The style of the film is also original. The sweet, poppy feeling that fascinates the audience
in the first half of the film becomes darker as the story progresses, making us shudder. “Like & Share”, with its strong message and brilliant direction, is a film that needs to be seen now more than ever.
Director Gina S. NOER Comment:
First of all, I'm fairly surprised with this movie winning Osaka Asian Film Festival, so I would like to thank you to all the audience, all the jury members, and all of the officials. This movie is talking about how we deal with trauma and how we deal with sexual
violence. It's not easy to tell and it's not easy to make a movie about it but I think that if we trust something important enough, it will honor the right audience so thank you very much for the appreciation.
★ Most Promising Talent Award
The award is given to the most promising artist among those involved in the Competition films, who the jurors believe will play an important role in the Asian film world in the future. The winner receives 200,000 yen.
Winner | Kai KO | Taiwan | “Bad Education” Director
Jury Comment:
Director Kai KO realistically portrays the roller-coaster emotions of three young men; it is as if the audience experiences a crazy night along with them. KO clearly displays an overwhelming style, with clear and precise pacing throughout the film. The breathless development of the story exceeds expectations and is never dull. Even though it is his directorial debut, Kai KO is able to vividly depict a dark theme and elicit great performances from his actors. We cannot help but have high expectations for the director's further success in the future.
★ ABC TV Award
This sponsor award is given by Asahi Television Broadcasting Corporation, a member of the OAFF Executive Committee, to the most entertaining film among all participating new films. The winner receives 1,000,000 yen as the TV broadcast right (expenses for broadcast materials will be included).
Winner |“Over My Dead Body” | Hong Kong | Director: HO Cheuk Tin
ABC TV Comment:
This is a high-quality black comedy that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
★ Yakushi Pearl Award
This sponsor award is given by Yakushi Shinju to the most brilliant performer among all participating films' cast members. The winner receives a pearl accessory from Yakushi Shinju.
Winner | LU Hsiao-fen | Taiwan | “Day Off” Actor
Yakushi Pearl Comment:
Just the use of scissors in the barbershop is enough to fascinate the audience. With her precisely orchestrated performance throughout the entire production, experienced actor LU Hsiao-fen makes sure that “Day Off” is a masterpiece that will remain in people's memories
forever.
★ JAPAN CUTS Award
This award, selected by the organizers of JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film, held annually at Japan Society in New York City, is granted to a title in the OAFF Indie Forum section that displays an exciting and unique vision in independent Japanese cinema.
Winner | “When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty” | JAPAN | Director: ISHIBASHI Yuho
★ Housen Short Film Award
This sponsor award is given by the Housen Cultural Foundation to the best short film among the less-than-60-minute films which are screened at OAFF 2023 as Japan Premieres, as selected by the jury, which comprised directors Gina S. NOER, Banjong PISANTHANAKUN, TSANG Hing Weng Eric, and Kobe Planet Film Archive manager TANAKA Noriko. The winner receives 100,000 yen.
Winner | “Swallow Flying to the South” | USA, Canada, China | Director: LIN Mochi
Jury Comment:
We are amazed by the unique aesthetic of this stop-motion animation. The precise use of light and sound creates a serious yet gentle touch in describing how an ordinary individual struggled to live during the Cultural Revolution, an era of chaos in China. The 17-minute
drama which is dedicated by the director to her mother ends with a poetic scene of flying swallows, lighting up hope in the air.
★ Housen Short Film Award Special Mention
Winner | Daddy-To-Be | Taiwan | Director: PAN Ke-yin
Jury Comment:
“Daddy-To-Be” is a very enjoyable film to watch. It's a well paced, well directed short film with a lot of charming scenes. The balance of the coming-of-age drama and the comedy is also very good.
★ Audience Award
The award is given to the film screened at OAFF 2023 as a Japan Premiere which earns the highest points from audience voting. The winner receives a pearl accessory from Yakushi Shinju.
Winner | Day Off | Taiwan | Director: FU Tien-yu
Closing Film
After the awards announcements, the closing film “Side by Side”, was given its World Premiere.
Before the film was screened, the film's director ITO Chihiro (伊藤ちひろ) and the producer YUKISADA Isao (行定勲) took to the stage to greet the audience and talk about their work.
ITO made the comment that: “I made this film with all my heart to make it beautiful. I would be happy if you could feel the beauty of nature and its relationship with people. I hope that after watching this film, you will have time to think about it and enjoy it.”
After 10 days of cinema screenings, Q&As, and audience interactions with filmmakers, the 18th Osaka Asian Film Festival has concluded its 10-day run.
