The 23rd New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) unveiled the eight titles nominated for this year’s Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film Competition, which shines a spotlight on filmmakers whose singular visions deserve to be internationally heralded
The Uncaged Award nominees are: The Escaping Man (Wang Yichun, China), a satire of class, ambition, and moral turpitude that tells the story of a lovelorn ex-con, a kidnapping gone wrong, and an unusual boy caught in a storm of happenstance; Frankenstein Father (Choi Jea-young, South Korea), a morality play about identity and survival that explores the ramifications of perfectionism and the age-old conundrum of nature vs. nurture; How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (Pat Boonnitipat, Thailand), a pan-Asian box-office smash starring superstar Billkin as a slacker who quits his job to become his grandma’s caregiver—whether she likes it or not; Ichiko (Akihiro Toda, Japan), an enigmatic, Rashomon-like puzzle box that gradually unravels the shocking reality of its central character; Snow in Midsummer (Chong Keat Aun, Malaysia/Taiwan/Singapore), a meditation on a tragedy that still scars the soul of a nation; Suffocating Love (Liao Ming-yi, Taiwan), a dizzying, disorienting plunge into the rabbit hole of modern romance shot entirely on an iPhone; Trouble Girl (Chin Chia-Hua, Taiwan), a tumultuous drama exploring the complex bonds between a mother and her neurodiverse daughter (Audrey Lin in an award-winning role); and Women from Rote Island (Jeremias Nyangoen, Indonesia), a genre-defying piece that is part ethnographic doc, part sexual-violence drama, and part stinging indictment of the patriarchal structures that make life a horror story for many women.
The Uncaged winners will be selected by a jury composed of young, prominent, and up-and-coming figures from the film industry bridging Asia and the United States: Tony Bui (director, Three Seasons), Shao-yi Chen (producer, Screenworks Asia), Shaina Magdayao (actress), Felix Tsang (Sales & Acquisitions Manager, Golden Scene), and more.
The festival will honor a handful of Asia’s brightest luminaries with this year’s NYAFF awards. Honorees include Hong Kong’s own renaissance man, Nicholas Tse who’ll receive the festival’s top honor, the Screen International Star Asia Award. In Herman Yau’s explosive new thriller, Customs Frontline, Tse is a powder-keg customs officer caught in a deadly web of arms smuggling. Tse will present the North American premiere of the film, which also marks his debut as action choreographer.
Screen International Rising Star Asia Award winner Lee Hye-ri will take the stage to receive her award and present the NYAFF opening film, Victory. She first burst onto the scene as a member of the K-pop group Girl’s Day, but she has been making waves in the acting world since her debut in 2012. Her first leading film role was in the period action horror Monstrum, which won the audience award at the Sitges Film Festival in 2018.
Best from the East Award honoree Kento Yamazaki headlines the thunderous newest chapter of Shinsuke Sato’s globally acclaimed Kingdom franchise, Kingdom: Return of the Great General, a maelstrom of clashing swords, deafening cavalry charges, and Machiavellian court intrigue. Yamazaki is magnetic as the ascendant warrior Shin, cementing the young actor’s status as a bona fide superstar. Yamazaki made his acting debut in 2010 and quickly worked his way to the top of the box office, proving his staggering versatility in a range of roles, including Arisu in the Netflix series Alice in Borderland, whose third season is shooting soon.
Legendary Hong Kong actor Tai Bo, this year’s Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, has turned in luminous performances in many of the biggest recent Hong Kong hits: The Brink (NYAFF 2017), Hand Rolled Cigarette (NYAFF 2020), The Silent Forest (NYAFF 2020), and Coffin Homes (NYAFF 2021). Beginning his career in Hong Kong at the age of 18, Tai Bo initially worked behind the scenes in various capacities before transitioning into an award-winning acting career. Tai Bo will join us for Ray Yeung’s Berlin Teddy Award-winning All Shall Be Well and his landmark 2015 film Twilight’s Kiss (Suk Suk), as well as for the world premiere of Chow Kam Wing’s For Alice.
The recipient of the 2024 Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema is Japan’s own enfant terrible of the hit man–comedy genre, Yugo Sakamoto. This action wunderkind, winner of numerous awards for his ultra-high-octane flicks, will be joining executive producer Yusuke Suzuki to present the world premiere of the adrenaline-fueled extravaganza, Baby Assassins: Nice Days. Sakamoto, along with action maestro Kensuke Sonomura, has cranked the dial up to 11 for the latest chapter in this killer series.
Closing Night will conclude this year’s festival with the North American premiere of Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, Soi Cheang’s adrenaline-fueled paeon to the glory days of Hong Kong action cinema. As previously announced, producer John Chong and actor Philip Ng will be in attendance for a rousing closing to
NYAFF 2024 takes place July 12–22 at FLC, and from July 22–28 at the SVA Theatre, with special weekend screenings and one-night-only programming from July 13–15, 18–21, and 23–25 at LOOK Cinemas W57, as well as a special collaborative presentation of hit films at the Korean Cultural Center New York on July 13– 27.
FULL LINEUP (94 Films)
(Please note the program is still subject to change.)
OPENING FILM
Victory | dir. Park Beom-su, South Korea, 2024 | World Premiere
CENTERPIECE PRESENTATION
The Killers | dir. Lee Myung-Se, Chang Hang-jun, Kim Jong-kwan, Roh Deok, South Korea, 2024 | World Premiere
CLOSING FILM
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In | dir. Soi Cheang, Hong Kong, 2024 | North American Premiere
BEYOND BORDERS
Films about characters confronting new cultures
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
Fly Me to the Moon | dir. Sasha Chuk, Hong Kong, 2023 | North American Premiere
Salli | dir. Lien Chien-Hung, Taiwan, 2023 | East Coast Premiere
The Time of Huan Nan | dir. Leading Lee, Taiwan, 2023 | International Premiere
CROWD PLEASERS
Films that captivate, comfort, and cheer
90 Years Old – So What? | dir. Tetsu Maeda, Japan, 2024 | North American Premiere
Breaking and Re-entering | dir. Leo Wang, Taiwan, 2024 | 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
Love Lies | dir. Ho Miu-ki, Hong Kong, 2024 | North American Premiere
The Yin Yang Master Zero | dir. Shimako Sato, Japan, 2024 | North American Premiere
FILMMAKER IN FOCUS: RAY YEUNG
All Shall Be Well | dir. Ray Yeung, Hong Kong, 2024 | East Coast Premiere
Front Cover | dir. Ray Yeung, U.S., 2024 | Special Screening
Twilight’s Kiss | dir. Ray Yeung, Hong Kong, 2019 | Special Screening
FRONTLINES
Films grounded in the lives of those in marginalized communities, with narratives that examine pressing issues
Granny Prostitutes | dir. Joel Lamangan, Philippines, 2024 | North American Premiere
Old Fox | dir. Hsiao Ya-Chuan, Taiwan, 2023 | East Coast Premiere
The Cursed Land | dir. Panu Aree, Thailand, 2024 | North American Premiere
GENRE MASTERS
Innovative new work that tweaks and twists genre conventions
Baby Assassins: Nice Days | dir. Yugo Sakamoto, Japan, 2024 | World Premiere
Brush of the God | dir. Keizo Murase, Japan, 2024 | International Premiere
Customs Frontline | dir. Herman Yau, Hong Kong, 2023 | North American Premiere
Fight for Tomorrow | dir. Chan Tai-Lee, Hong Kong, 2024 | U.S. Premiere
Inexternal | dir. Yuen Kim-Wai, Hong Kong, 2024 | World Premiere
Operation Undead | dir. Kongkiat Komesiri, Thailand, 2024 | World Premiere
Pattaya Heat | dir. Yang Shupeng, Thailand, 2024 | North American Premiere
Respati | dir. Sidharta Tata, Indonesia, 2024 | North American Premiere
The Guest | dir. Yeon Je-gwang, South Korea, 2023 | North American Premiere
The Sin | dir. Han Dong-seok, South Korea, 2023 | North American Premiere
Wolf Hiding | dir. Marc Ma, China, 2024 | North American Premiere
PRIME PICKS – SOUTH KOREA
Focusing on the top films of the year from one country, both from a popular and critical standpoint
12.12: The Day | dir. Kim Seong-su, South Korea, 2023 | Special Screening
Escape | dir. Lee Jong-pil, South Korea, 2023 | Special Screening
Exhuma | dir. Jang Jae-hyun, South Korea, 2023 | Special Screening
The Roundup: Punishment | dir. Heo Myeong-haeng, South Korea, 2024 | Special Screening
NEXT/NOW
Highlighting emerging voices and promising works by up-and-coming directors
A Long Shot | dir. Gao Peng, China, 2024 | North American Premiere
Carefree Days | dir. Liang Ming, China, 2024 | North American Premiere
City of Wind | dir. Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir, Mongolia, 2024 | New York Premiere
Dìdi (弟弟) | dir. Sean Wang, U.S., 2024 | New York Premiere
For Alice | dir. Chow Kam Wing, Hong Kong, 2024 | World Premiere
Galaxy Writer | dir. Li Kuo, Shan Dandan, China, 2023 | North American Premiere
The Lyricist Wannabe | dir. Norris Wong, Hong Kong, 2024 | New York Premiere
Not Friends | dir. Atta Hemwadee, Thailand, 2023 | North American Premiere
Pierce | dir. Nelicia Low, Taiwan/Singapore, 2023 | North American Premiere
When This Is All Over | dir. Kevin Mayuga, Philippines, 2024 | North American Premiere
NYAFF 2024 RESTORED CLASSICS
Shanghai Blues | dir. Tsui Hark, Hong Kong, 2024 | Special Screening
Three Seasons | dir. Tony Bui, Vietnam, 2024 | Special Screening
SPOTLIGHT ON 852 FILMS
Finding Bliss: Fire and Ice | dir. Kim Chan, Dee Lam, Hong Kong, 2022 | Special Screening
Habit (International Version) | dir. Janell Shirtcliff, U.S., 2021 | North American Premiere
Onpaku | dir. Shogo Fujii, Japan/Hong Kong, 2022 | New York Premiere
STANDOUTS
Exceptional films, regardless of premiere status
Be With Me | dir. Hwarng Wern Ying, Taiwan, 2023 | East Coast Premiere
Brief History of a Family | dir. Lin Jianjie, China, 2024 | New York Premiere
Bushido | dir. Kazuya Shiraishi, Japan, 2024 | North American Premiere
Gold Boy | dir. Shusuke Kaneko, Japan/China, 2023 | North American Premiere
Snow Leopard | dir. Pema Tseden, China, 2024 | New York Premiere
VANGUARDS
Original films that break away from formalistic and/or narrative conventions
FAQ | dir. Kim Da-min, South Korea, 2023 | North American Premiere
Reversi | dir. Adrian Teh, Malaysia, 2024 | North American Premiere
Supposed | dir. Thanakorn Pongsuwan, Thailand, 2023 | North American Premiere
The Missing | dir. Carl Joseph E. Papa, Philippines, 2024 | East Coast Premiere
The Tenants | dir. Yoon Eun-Kyung, South Korea, 2023 | North American Premiere
UNCAGED AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
Frankenstein Father | dir. Choi Jea-young, South Korea, 2024 | International Premiere
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies | dir. Pat Boonnitipat, Thailand, 2024 | North American Premiere
Ichiko | dir. Akihiro Toda, Japan, 2024 | North American Premiere
Snow in Midsummer | dir. Chong Keat Aun, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, 2024 | U.S. Premiere
Suffocating Love | dir. Liao Ming-yi, Taiwan, 2024 | North American Premiere
The Escaping Man | dir. Wang Yichun, China, 2024 | International Premiere
Trouble Girl | dir. Chin Chia-Hua, Taiwan, 2024 | North American Premiere
Women from Rote Island | dir. Jeremias Nyangoen, Indonesia, 2024 | North American Premiere
SHORTS PROGRAM 1: The Animals That Therefore We Are
A Snail Without Shell | dir. Mohin Rakhaine, Bangladesh, 2024 | International Premiere
Bottle George | dir. Daisuke ‘Dice’ Tsutsumi, Japan, 2024 | East Coast Premiere
Fish Boy | dir. Christopher Yip, Canada, 2024 | New York Premiere
Hot Seat | dir. Johmar Damiles, Philippines, 2024 | International Premiere
Save My Soul | dir. Leung Kam Fai, Hong Kong/Nepal, 2024 | North American Premiere
The Boys and the Donkey | dir. Tsering Yangjyab, China, 2024 | International Premiere
The Horse | dir. Lan Yi-Tzu, Taiwan, 2024 | North American Premiere
SHORTS PROGRAM 2: Echoes of Her Longing
A Karaoke Space Odyssey | dir. Achim Mendoza, Philippines/U.S., 2024 | East Coast Premiere
Cross My Heart and Hope To Die | dir. Sam Manacsa, Philippines, 2024 | New York Premiere
Don’t F*ck with Ba | dir. Sally Trần, U.S., 2024 | World Premiere
Let | dir. Alyssa Loh, U.S., 2024 | East Coast Premiere
On a Boat | dir. Heso, Japan, 2024 | International Premiere
White Butterfly | dir. Catherine T. Nguyen, Vietnam, 2024 | East Coast Premiere
SHORTS PROGRAM 3: Ode to Youth
A Summer’s End Poem | dir. Lam Can-zhao, China/Switzerland/Malaysia, 2024 | North American Premiere
Fire of Last Night in Yimi’s Woods | dir. Yue Yue Niao, China/U.S., 2024 | World Premiere
Now.Here | dir. Zhao Hao, China, 2024 | North American Premiere
Present Tense | dir. Guan Haotian, China, 2024 | North American Premiere
Shape of the Elephant | dir. Sam Kuwa, China/Japan, 2024 | North American Premiere
Something Blue | dir. Li Chen, China, 2024 | World Premiere
When a Rocket Sits on the Launch Pad | dir. Liu Bohao, China/U.S., 2024
SHORTS PROGRAM 4: Defiance Redefined
Children of Light | dir. Kang Min-kyu, South Korea/U.S., 2024
Layover | dir. Taylor Sanghyun Lee, U.S., 2024 | East Coast Premiere
Peeper | dir. Han Chang-lok, South Korea, 2024 | North American Premiere
Pushup | dir. Ryu Ho-cheol, South Korea, 2024 | International Premiere
Seoul Switch | dir. Liann Kaye, U.S., 2024 | East Coast Premiere
The Killing Line | dir. Kim Kyu-jin, South Korea, 2024 | International Premiere