The annual New York Asian Film Festival is about to kick off this summer.
Presented by the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center, the 23rd edition of the festival will take place from July 12 through 22 at Film at Lincoln Center, with additional screenings from July 22 through 28 at the SVA Theatre and July 13–15, 18–21, and 23–25 at LOOK Cinemas W57, plus a special collaborative presentation of films at the Korean Cultural Center New York.
This year’s lineup marks the largest list of premieres, with 20 films debuting including the North American premiere of “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In,” which debuted at Cannes.
The opening night selection is the world premiere of Park Beom-su’s “Victory,” a cheerleading epic that’s billed as “Bring It On” meets “Parasite.” Lee Hye-ri (of 3rd-gen K-pop band Girl’s Day) will be in attendance with co-star Park Se-wan and director Park. The closing night film will be “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” with producer John Chong and actor Philip Ng attending.
The Opening Night Market on July 12 and the Matsuri Night on July 23 will both with live music and Asian food stalls, as well as other parties and receptions.
The festival additionally marks an expanded Thai Treasures section, presented with support from the Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA), with highlights including “Not Friends” and “Supposed.”
“For so many, Asian films start and end with ‘Parasite’ or ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ (who could blame them?), but the real action is happening in the trenches of Asian cinema, where audacious auteurs and daring debutantes are unleashing a tidal wave of talent that’s about to crash on American shores,” Samuel Jamier, festival director and president of the New York Asian Film Foundation, said in a press statement. “This year’s festival is like sriracha sauce — it’s spicy, it’s tangy, it’s got a kick that’ll wake up your senses. And it’s hard to find right now! We’ve got more fresh faces than a K-pop band. It’s a blockbuster year for us, and we can’t wait to share these passionate stories with equally passionate audiences in the city that never sleeps — although they might want to catch a nap before our late-night screenings! Whether you’re a die-hard cinephile or just looking for a wild ride, we got you covered.”
A second wave of NYAFF announcements will include the Uncaged Competition lineup and jury members, the Shorts Showcase Competition lineup and jury members, special guests and award honorees, master classes and panels, and more.
Check out the lineup listed by country below, with more titles to be announced.
HONG KONG (presented with the support of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office)
All Shall Be Well | dir. Ray Yeung, Hong Kong, 2024 | East Coast Premiere
Finding Bliss: Fire and Ice | dir. Kim Chan, Dee Lam, Hong Kong, 2022 | Special Screening
Fly Me to the Moon | dir. Sasha Chuk, Hong Kong, 2023 | North American Premiere
For Alice | dir. Chow Kam Wing, Hong Kong, 2024 | World Premiere
Inexternal | dir. Yuen Kim-Wai, Hong Kong, 2024 | World Premiere
Love Lies | dir. Ho Miu-ki, Hong Kong, 2024 | North American Premiere
Twilight’s Kiss | dir. Ray Yeung, Hong Kong, 2019 | Special Screening
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In | dir. Soi Cheang, Hong Kong, 2024 | North American Premiere
JAPAN (presented with the support of Japan Foundation)
90 Years Old – So What? | dir. Tetsu Maeda, Japan, 2024 | North American Premiere
Brush of the God | dir. Keizo Murase, Japan, 2024 | International Premiere
Bushido | dir. Kazuya Shiraishi, Japan, 2024 | North American Premiere
Gold Boy | dir. Shusuke Kaneko, Japan/China, 2023 | North American Premiere
Kingdom: Return of the Great General | dir. Shinsuke Sato, Japan, 2024 | International Premiere
Let’s Go Karaoke! | dir. Nobuhiro Yamashita, Japan, 2023 | North American Premiere
Onpaku | dir. Shogo Fujii, Japan/Hong Kong, 2022 | New York Premiere
The Yin Yang Master Zero | dir. Shimako Sato, Japan, 2024 | North American Premiere
SOUTH KOREA (Co-presented with Korean Cultural Center New York)
12.12: The Day | dir. Kim Seong-su, South Korea, 2023 | Special Screening
Exhuma | dir. Jang Jae-hyun, South Korea, 2023 | Special Screening
FAQ | dir. Kim Da-min, South Korea, 2023 | North American Premiere
The Guest | dir. Yeon Je-gwang, South Korea, 2023 | North American Premiere
The Killers | dir. Lee Myung-Se, Chang Hang-jun, Kim Jong-kwan, Roh Deok, South Korea, 2024 | World Premiere
The Roundup: Punishment | dir. Heo Myeong-haeng, South Korea, 2024 | Special Screening
The Tenants | dir. Yoon Eun-Kyung, South Korea, 2023 | North American Premiere
Victory | dir. Park Beom-su, South Korea, 2024 | World Premiere
TAIWAN (presented with the support of Taipei Cultural Center of TECO in New York)
18×2 Beyond Youthful Days | dir. Michihito Fujii, Japan/Taiwan, 2024 | North American Premiere
A Balloon’s Landing | dir. Angel Teng, Taiwan, Hong Kong, 2024 | International Premiere
Be With Me | dir. Hwarng Wern Ying, Taiwan, 2023 | East Coast Premiere
Breaking and Re-entering | dir. Leo Wang, Taiwan, 2024 | North American Premiere
Old Fox | dir. Hsiao Ya-Chuan, Taiwan, 2023 | East Coast Premiere
Salli | dir. Lien Chien-Hung, Taiwan, 2023 | East Coast Premiere
Suffocating Love | dir. Liao Ming-yi, Taiwan, 2024 | North American Premiere
The Time of Huan Nan | dir. Leading Lee, Taiwan, 2023 | International Premiere
THAILAND (presented with the support of Thailand Creative Culture Agency – THACCA)
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies | dir. Pat Boonnitipat, Thailand, 2024 | North American Premiere
Not Friends | dir. Atta Hemwadee, Thailand, 2023 | North American Premiere
Operation Undead | dir. Kongkiat Komesiri, Thailand, 2024 | World Premiere
Pattaya Heat | dir. Yang Shupeng, Thailand, 2024 | North American Premiere
Supposed | dir. Thanakorn Pongsuwan, Thailand, 2023 | North American Premiere
The Cursed Land | dir. Panu Aree, Thailand, 2024 | North American Premiere
U.S.
Front Cover | dir. Ray Yeung, U.S., 2015 | Special Screening
Habit (International Version) | dir. Janell Shirtcliff, U.S., 2021 | Special Screening
