The Malaysian crime/drama film Abang Adik directed by Jin Ong won the Snow Leopard Award for Best Film at the 10th Asian World Film Festival (AWFF). The film also won the Snow Leopard Best Actor Award for Wu Kang-ren.
The Snow Leopard for Best Actress went to Diamond Bou Abboud for the Lebanese social dramedy Arze directed by Mira Shaib.
The Snow Leopard Special Jury Prize went to the Iranian family drama In the Arms of the Tree directed by Babak Khajeh Pasha. The Snow Leopard Panavision Award for Best Cinematography was awarded to cinematographer Zhanrbek Yeleubek for Kazakhstan’s coming of age drama Bauryna Salu, and accepted by the film’s director Askhat Kuchinchirekov and producer Dias Feld.
The Snow Leopard Audience Award went to the Pakistani film The Glassworker directed by Usman Riaz.
The Asian Vision Best Film Award was given to the Saudi Arabian film Night Courier directed by Ali Kalthami.
Writer, director and producer Sergei Bodrov (“Mongol,” “Prisoner of the Mountains”) received the AWFF Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Kazakhstan actress Ayanat Ksenbai (“About Mannequin”).
Hong Kong filmmaker Peter Ho-Sun Chan (“Warlords,” “Comrades: Almost a Love Story”) was presented with the Outstanding Cinematic Achievement Award by producer Andre Morgan (“The Cannonball Run,” “The Warlords”). The Rising Star Award went to Filipino actress Kathryn Bernardo (“The Hows of Us,” “Hello, Love, Goodbye”) presented by actress Kieu Chinh (“The Joy Luck Club,” “Hamburger Hill”).
Executive Director Georges N. Chamchoum said, “There is always a beginning and end to everything—except at the Asian World Film Festival. This 10th Anniversary year was filled with inspiring milestones, discovery, joy, and thrills! The myriads of movies we screened, the special country spotlights and the dedicated filmmaker panels, have brought the richness of our heritage to the forefront. Asia is a wellspring of incredibly talented filmmakers, offering valuable lessons, especially in this age of technology. The AWFF continues to showcase exceptional movies filled with heart, soul, and captivating storytelling. Onward to November 2025!”
The Bruce Lee Award, in partnership with the Bruce Lee Foundation, was presented to martial artist and actor Mark Dacascos (“Brotherhood of the Wolf,” “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum”) by Lee’s daughter Shannon Lee, CEO of the Bruce Lee Foundation.
Complete list of Award winners:
Snow Leopard Competition Awardees
Best Picture: “Abang Adik” (Malaysia) directed by Jin Ong
Best Actor: Wu Kang-ren in “Abang Adik” (Malaysia)
Best Actress: Diamond Bou Abboud in “Arze” (Lebanon)
Panavision Best Cinematography: Zhanrbek Yeleubek for “Bauryna Salu” (Kazakhstan)
Special Jury Prize: “In the Arms of the Tree” (Iran) directed by Babak Khajeh Pasha
Audience Award: “The Glassworker” (Pakistan) directed by Usman Riaz
Snow Leopard Honorary Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award – Sergei Bodrov
Outstanding Cinematic Achievement – Peter Ho-Sun Chan
Rising Star Award – Kathryn Bernardo
Asian Vision Best Film Award
“Night Courier” (Saudi Arabia) directed by Ali Kalthami
AWFF Bruce Lee Award
Mark Dacascos
Short Film Finalists
Best Short Film: “Lullaby” (UK/Vietnam) directed by Chi Thai
Special Mention: “Mar Mama” (Palestine) directed by Majdi El Omar