Hong Kong, February 25, 2015 – The Asian Film Awards Academy (AFA Academy) announced the 74 nominations of 42 films from eight countries standing for the 9th Asian Film Awards (AFA) at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong this afternoon. Internationally acclaimed film director and producer Ms. Mabel CHEUNG Yuen-ting has been appointed as this year’s AFA Jury President and established leading man Mr. Aaron KWOK Fu-shing will serve as a Celebrity Jury member. The jury comprises 14 respected film industry professionals and critics who will select outstanding Asian works of the year to be recognized by one of the most prestigious film awards in the world today.
Sponsored by Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao and The Venetian® Macao and with Cotai Water Jet as the Official Ferry Operator, the 9th Asian Film Awards will be held at The Venetian Theatre, one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in Greater China, on March 25, 2015 (Wednesday).
The AFA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Asian films through 14 award categories: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Newcomer, Best Screenwriter, Best Cinematographer, Best Production Designer, Best Composer, Best Editor, Best Visual Effects and Best Costume Designer.
This year, the AFA received over a thousand eligible films from 34 countries across Asia. The wide range of styles show the diversity, creativity and vitality of the region’s cinema.
Competing films include historical epics, romances, cop and courtroom dramas, comedies, intense psychodramas, coming-of-age tales, horrors and others.
Check out the list of nominees here:
9th Asian Film Awards nominees
Jury President Ms. Mabel Cheung Yuen-ting expressed, “The Asian Film Awards is a formidable exercise. Each film has its own strengths fueled by the filmmakers’ passion, creative styles and captivating stories. With the high standard of work on display, we recognize the responsibility and challenge involved in voting for the winners.”
Popular Hong Kong actor and leading man Mr. Aaron Kwok Fu-shing, Celebrity Juror of this year’s AFA, stated “As an actor who has participated in many Asian movies, mainly those ones in Greater China, it is indeed a delight to witness the rise of Asian films and their positive reception worldwide. The Asian Film Awards is a brilliant platform for the Asian film industry to make positive progress as well as to encourage aspiring film professionals.”
Founded by the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival and Tokyo International Film Festival in late 2013, the AFA Academy aims to promote, develop and enrich Asian cinema, its talents and audiences by organizing the AFA and a diversity of other programmes across Asia through working closely with film, arts and culture partners from around the world.
“The developing network of filmmakers and film industries in the Asia-Pacific will strengthen the AFA and drive the globalization of Asian films,” said Dr. Wilfred WONG Ying-wai, Chairman of the AFA Academy and the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society. “We greatly appreciate the support of our Japanese and Korean founding partners in helping to enhance recognition, cultivation and promotion of Asian films on the world stage.”
Mr. LEE Yong-kwan, Festival Director of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) of South Korea, looks forward for the future development of AFA Academy and BIFF, “This is an important year for the Busan International Film Festival. We will celebrate the 20th anniversary of BIFF and look forward to collaboration and support of the AFA Academy and its members.”
Mr. SHIINA Yasushi, Director General of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) and TIFFCOM market in Japan, observed the growing importance of Asian films in the world. “The rising awareness of AFA will enhance the status of Asian movies. And it is our sincere hope that AFA and the AFA Academy will become an increasingly important platform in propelling further exchange among Asian filmmakers and industry professionals.”
The Asian Film Awards Ceremony will take place at The Venetian Macao, one of the world’s leading integrated resorts and must-see destinations, on March 25, 2015 (Wednesday).
“Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao and The Venetian Macao are honored to be both the main sponsors of the 9th Asian Film Awards and the hosts for the ceremony that will recognize some of the most incredible filmmakers and actors in the industry today,” said Ciaran CARRUTHERS, Senior Vice President and Director of Venetian and Plaza Operations, Sands China Ltd. “We are committed to the future of Macao, to enhancing the cultural landscape of the city, and to sponsoring events such as the Asian Film Awards, which put Macao in the international spotlight. Bringing these kinds of high-profile events to the city is part of our multi-tiered entertainment strategy and sees us once again fulfil our promise to help develop Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure.”
