The Osaka Asian Film Festival (OAFF) 2024 has announced the results of each award on March 10, 2024. These are as follows:
Osaka Asian Film Festival 2024 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 2024 Jury, comprised of Directors Dave BOYLE, Angga Dwimas SASONGKO, and CEO, Mimosa Films, Inc. MURATA Atsuko, having viewed all 14 films in competition, decided as follows:
Winner | “City of Wind” | France, Mongolia. Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Qatar | Director: Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir
Jury Comment:
Working within the confines of the coming of age genre, the Grand Prize winning film illuminates a world we had not seen before and tackles issues of spirituality and intergenerational conflict with a deft and confident hand. The film depicts the growth of the central character with sensitivity and features a revelatory performance at the center.
★ 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 | LIEN Chien Hung | Taiwan | “Salli” Director
Jury Comment:
Director LIEN Chien Hung demonstrates amazing craft that reminded us of the great character driven comedies of the past, albeit with twists and turns we did not see coming. Populating his sterling script with memorable places and faces, and demonstrating a knack for genuine emotion paired with laugh out loud comedy, Directo LIEN made us excited to see what he does next.
★ 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 | “Salli” | Taiwan, France | Director: LIEN Chien Hung
ABC TV Comment:
This feel-good film makes you feel relaxed and warm, depicting the protagonist's struggle to move to Paris and the warm communication between family and friends. Above all, the chickens are adorable!
★ 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 | CHI Yun | Australia, China | “Unborn Soul” Actor
Yakushi Pearl Comment:
CHI Yun made the film “Unborn Soul” possible. Her delicate and profound performance moves the viewers' souls from beginning to end.
★ 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 | “Performing KAORU's Funeral” | Japan, Spain, Singapore | Director: YUASA Noriko
JAPAN CUTS Comment:
We are pleased to present the JAPAN CUTS Award to YUASA Noriko's “Performing KAORU's Funeral”, a brilliantly crafted domestic drama that captures the palpable explosion of emotions at a familial wake. With a perfect ensemble of off-kilter performances, along with a percussive soundtrack and propulsive editing, YUASA delivers a dark comedy that etches an entertaining yet poignant portrait of familial dysfunction.
★ JAPAN CUTS Award Special Mention
Winner | “Blue Imagine” | Japan, Philippines, Singapore | Director: MATSUBAYASHI Urara
JAPAN CUTS Comment:
A powerful and sincere debut from MATSUBAYASHI Urara, “Blue Imagine” is a testament of our times, urgent in its message and healing in its approach; a bold confrontation with the proliferation of sexual harassment and abuse in the culture that also points to the resilient and mending properties of solidarity.
★ 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 2024 as Japan Premieres, as selected by the jury, which comprised Actor HORI Haruna, Producer
Donsaron KOVITVANITCHA, and Director Sun-J PERUMAL. The winner receives 100,000 yen.
Winner | “Sojourn to Shangri-la” | China | Director: LIN Yihan
Jury Comment:
Compelling and enchanting narrative that captivates with strong imagery, igniting a series of magical events, especially when the film switches to its impressively powerful second half, delivering cinematic impact. “Sojourn to Shangri-la” is a successful experiment in
cinema from the director, bringing amazement to whoever experiences it.
★ Housen Short Film Award Special Mention
Winner | “On a Boat” | Japan | Director: Heso
Jury Comment:
The film stays true to its theme of marriage and relationships while the director shows promise, with strong directorial craft and well calculated technique, giving an impressive result.
Winner | “Sweet Lime” | Hong Kong, UK | Director: Fatema ABDOOLCARIM
Jury Comment:
With strong filmmaking, the director tells the important story of being a child, being an adult and being a woman. The film is a rare look into the director's community and is a realistic observation of women oppressed by patriarchal culture.
★ Audience Award
The award is given to the film screened at OAFF 2024 as a Japan Premiere which earns the highest points from audience voting. The winner receives a pearl accessory from Yakushi Shinju.
Winner | Amalock | Japan | Director: NAKAMURA Kazuhiro
