CinemAsia Film Festival 2025 presents its full program for the 17th edition, running March 6-11 in Amsterdam. Featuring 38 handpicked films – of which 27 feature films and 11 shorts, including 1 world and 4 European premieres – the lineup spans blockbusters, art-house gems, and independent productions.
Hosted at Eye Filmmuseum, Studio/K, Rialto De Pijp, and Rialto VU, CinemAsia invites audiences on a cinematic journey through Asia’s rich storytelling, stunning visuals, and diverse cultural perspectives.
Grand Opening & Closing Films
Opening Film – HAPPYEND (Japan, USA 2024) by Neo Sora (Dutch premiere) – Director present at the festival.
The festival opens with the highly anticipated Happyend by Japanese-American filmmaker Neo Sora. Set in a dystopian near-future Tokyo overshadowed by an impending catastrophic earthquake, this visually stunning film explores identity and friendship in a world dominated by control and uncertainty.
Closing Film – FLY ME TO THE MOON (Hong Kong 2023) by Sasha Chuk (Dutch premiere) – Director present.
CinemAsia 2025 closes with Fly Me to the Moon, a moving drama by Hong Kong filmmaker Sasha Chuk. Produced by legendary Hong Kong New Wave filmmaker Stanley Kwan, the film follows two sisters who migrate from Hunan to Hong Kong in 1997, navigating poverty, identity struggles, and family complexities over two decades of historical transformation.
New Visions section: Groundbreaking debut films by emerging Asian filmmakers.
BETWEEN GOODBYES (USA, South Korea 2024) by Jota Mun (European Premiere) – Director present
THE PARADISE OF THORNS (Thailand 2024) by Boss Kuno (European Premiere)
THE GLASSWORKER (Pakistan, Spain 2024) by Usman Riaz (Dutch Premiere)
TALE OF THE LAND (Indonesia, Philippines, et al. 2024) by Loeloe Hendra (Dutch Premiere)
DON’T CRY, BUTTERFLY (Vietnam, Singapore, et al. 2024) by Dương Diệu Linh (Dutch Premiere)
LOVE LIES (Hong Kong 2024) by Ho Miu-Ki (Dutch Premiere)
MONGRELS (Canada 2024) by Jerome Yoo (Dutch Premiere)
IN THE NGUYEN KITCHEN (France 2024) by Stéphane Ly-Cuong (Dutch Premiere)
GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS (India, France, et al. 2024) by Shuchi Talati
PIERCE (Singapore, Taiwan 2024) by Nelicia Low
Horizons section: A window into the diversity of contemporary Asian cinema, from local blockbusters to experimental voices and independent productions.
MY FIRST OF MAY (Hong Kong 2025) by James Hung (World Premiere)
THE ARCHITECTURE OF LOVE (Indonesia 2024) by Teddy Soeriaatmadja (European Premiere)
YEN AND AI-LEE (Taiwan 2024) by Tom Lin Shu-Yu (European Premiere) – Director Tom Lin Shu-Yu and lead actress Kimi Hsia present.
VIET AND NAM (Vietnam, Philippines, et al. 2024) by Truong Minh Quy (Dutch Premiere) – Director present
A NORMAL FAMILY (South Korea 2023) by Hur Jin-ho (Dutch Premiere)
A TRAVELER’S NEEDS (South Korea 2024) by Hong Sangsoo (Dutch Premiere)
BLACK DOG (China 2024) by Guan Hu (Dutch Premiere)
SALLI (Taiwan, France 2023) by Lien Chien Hung (Dutch Premiere)
SINGLE8 (Japan 2023) by Konaka Kazuya (Dutch Premiere)
SPIRIT WORLD (France, Singapore, et al. 2024) by Eric Khoo (Dutch Premiere)
THIS CITY IS A BATTLEFIELD (Indonesia, Netherlands, et al. 2025) by Mouly Surya
Pioneers section: Honoring iconic filmmakers and restored classics that have shaped Asian film history.
BONA (Philippines, 1980) by Lino Brocka (Dutch premiere)
MY GIRL (Thailand 2003) by Khomkrit Treewimol, Songyos Sugmakanan, Vithaya Thongyuyong, Nithiwat Tharatorn, Adison Tresirikasem, Vijjapat Kojiw (Dutch premiere)
GIRLS’ SCHOOL (Taiwan, 1982) by Lee Mi-mi (Dutch premiere)
TOKYO STORY (Japan, 1953) by Ozu Yasujirō
Shorts Films: An alternative cinematic experience through collaborations with global curators.
DOMESTIC CHOREOGRAPHY (Curated by Aileen Ye)
WILL YOU LOOK AT ME (China 2022) by Huang Shuli
THE FEELING OF BEING CLOSE TO YOU (USA 2022) by Ash Goh Hua
THE RIVER THAT NEVER ENDS (Philippines 2022) by JT Trinidad
A WORM, WHATEVER WILL BE, WILL BE (Malaysia 2022) by Mickey Lai
SOUR CANDY (India 2024) by Nishi Dugar
ECHOES OF HER LONGING (Curated by New York Asian Film Festival)
CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO DIE (Philippines 2023) by Sam Manacsa
DON’T F*CK WITH BA (USA 2024) by Sally Tran
A KARAOKE SPACE ODYSSEY (Philippines, USA 2023) by Achim Mendoza
LET (USA 2024) by Alyssa Loh
ON A BOAT (Japan 2024) by Heso
Space for culture, creativity and connection
Beyond screenings, CinemAsia offers industry networking at CinemAsia PRO, a vibrant Asian food market, a dedicated Queer Nongkrong space, and the ever-popular Karaoke Night, ensuring a truly immersive festival experience.
