The 11th Asian World Film Festival will open with Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, and close with Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab.
Annemarie Jacir’s Palestine 36 and Shih-Ching ‘s Left-Handed Girl will screen as the centerpiece films. All four of these films are Oscar submissions for Best International Feature Film.
The festival will showcase more than 45 titles from over 30 countries in Asia, including 20 official Oscar submissions for the Best International Feature Film category. Fifteen films will screen in competition for Snow Leopard trophies for Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Jury Discretionary Award, Special Jury Prize, and Audience Award.
World premieres include A Sad and Beautiful World (Lebanon); Love and Karma directed by Ilara Venzara and Giovannie Espiritu (U.S.); Doggy directed by Slava Ross (Russia); Sisterhood directed by Yoon Eun-kyoung (South Korea); Chronicles of the Forgotten Genocide – The Kissinger Doctrine directed by Ramesh Sharma (India); and The Favor directed by Shin Joo (South Korea).
U.S. premieres include Dragon Blade directed by Daniel Lee and starring Jackie Chan, Adrien Brody and Cyril Cusack (2015, celebrating its 10th anniversary); Marching Boys directed by Jui-Chih Chiang (Taiwan); The Summer Will End directed by Maksim Arbugaev and Vladimir Munkuev (Russia); and Family Secrets directed by Lee Sang-hoon (South Korea). Sore: Wife from the Future directed by Yandy Laurens is a North American premiere.
“From the beginning, our mission has been to celebrate the remarkable diversity of Asian filmmaking,” said Georges N. Chamchoum, AWFF Executive Director, in a statement. “Over the last 11 years, we have championed movies from more than 50 Asian nations and half a dozen autonomous Asian regions, each contributing a unique perspective and artistry. Their stories have thrilled us, moved us, inspired us, and provided a glimpse into the vibrant soul of Asia.”
The festival takes place November 11th through the 20th, 2025 at the Culver Theatre in Culver City, California.
2025 Annual Asian World Film Festival’s Lineup
Opening Night Film
“No Other Choice” (South Korea) – black comedy/thriller directed by Park Chan-wook (Oscar submission)
Closing Night Film
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Tunisia/France) – docudrama directed by Kaouther Ben Hania (Oscar submission)
Centerpiece Films
“Palestine 36” (Palestine) – historical drama directed by Annemarie Jacir (Oscar submission)
“Left-Handed Girl” (Taiwan) – family drama directed by Shih-Ching Tsou (Oscar submission)
Asian Vision Program
“Voice” (Japan) – three-part family drama directed by Yukio Mishima
“Evacuation” (Kazakhstan) – World War II drama directed by Farkhat Sharipov
“Shalz” (Mongolia) – action-adventure directed by Amarsaikhan Baljinnyam
“Pooja Sir” (Nepal) – crime thriller directed by Deepak Rauniyar
“Doggy” (Russia) – romantic thriller directed by Slava Ross
“Marching Boys” (Taiwan) – inspirational drama directed by Chiang Jui-chih
“The Summer Will End” (Republic of Sakha) – crime thriller directed by Maksim Arbugaev and Vladimir Munkuev
Feature Film Jury
Binying (jury president) – Chinese filmmaker
Anna Chi – Chinese filmmaker
Najia Khaan – Afghan-British filmmaker and actress
Joanne Goh – entertainment executive and producer
Said Faraj – actor
Woody Mu – film educator, producer and entertainment executive
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