Parasite won the Best Film award at the 14th Asian Film Awards (“AFA14”) along with Best Screenplay for co-writers Han Jin Won and the film’s director Bong Joon Ho. The film also won for Best Production Design and Best Editing totaling four awards. “I am grateful to all the people involved with the Asian Film Awards for making it possible that Parasite could become part of AFA’s legacy. I strongly believe that we will meet in person next year at the Asian Film Awards, shake hands, and enjoy talking with one another without masks…I believe that nothing can stop us from continuing to make films,” said Bong

Wang Xiaoshuai’s sensitive and emotionally powerful three-hour drama, So Long, My Son earned him Best Director. Wang said, “As a director, I advocate creating freely and thinking independently. Under the intense social and political pressure, I hope that I can always stand by the side of the ordinary to make the vulnerable powerful. We, as Asians, have different national backgrounds, films can present such diversities, but can also deliver a mutual message of humanity, of love, respect and dignity.”

HIKARI from Japan was named the Best New Director for her feature debut on a disabled person facing and overcoming society’s prejudice in 37 Seconds. “We made this film hoping to open people’s hearts and minds to show that despite our differences on the outside, we are the same on the inside. There’s love, desires, and we all have stories to tell. All we need is to lean in, and listen to one another and I truly hope, really hope, that our film will inspire you to do so.” HIKARI said.

The Best Actor award was given to Lee Byung-hun for his outstanding performance as assassin of former Korean President Park Chung-hee in the political thriller The Man Standing Next. “First, I would like to thank the AFA for the Best Actor award, and the actors and crew of The Man Standing Next. The chemistry between the actors in this film was a big part of why I am able to receive this award. Please stay safe, and I’m sure we’ll all be able to meet at the movies again soon,” said Lee.

Better Days stars Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee won Best Actress and Best Newcomer for their outstanding performances. Zhou and Yee thanked all for recognizing their performances in the film and thanked producer Jojo Hui Yuet Chun, director Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung and everyone in the Better Days team. “I am grateful to every jury member for their encouragement, and I look forward to seeing you all in the near future,” said Zhou. “I will keep working hard to achieve more outstanding performances in the future,” said Yee.

14th Asian Film Awards Winners

BEST FILM

Parasite
South Korea

BEST DIRECTOR

Wang Xiaoshuai – So Long, My Son
Mainland China

BEST NEW DIRECTOR

HIKARI – 37 Seconds
Japan

BEST ACTOR

Lee Byung-hun – The Man Standing
Next South Korea

BEST ACTRESS

Zhou Dongyu – Better Days
Hong Kong Mainland China

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Kase Ryo – To the Ends of the Earth
Japan, Uzbekistan, Qatar

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Samantha Ko – A Sun
Taiwan

BEST NEWCOMER

Jackson Yee – Better Days
Hong Kong, Mainland China

BEST SCREENPLAY

Bong Joon Ho, Han Jin Won – Parasite
South Korea

BEST EDITING

Yang Jinmo – Parasite
South Korea

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Dong Jinsong – The Wild Goose Lake
Mainland China, France

BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC

Karsh Kale, The Salvage Audio Collective – Gully Boy
India

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Pacharin Surawatanapongs – Happy Old Year
Thailand

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Lee Ha Jun – Parasite
South Korea

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Tomi Kuo, Renovatio Pictures – Detention
Taiwan

BEST SOUND

Yoshifumi Kureishi – Listen to the Universe
Japan