The 17th edition of the Asian Film Awards (AFAs) has unveiled its nominations, with Hamaguchi Ryusuke’s “Evil Does Not Exist” and the Korean blockbuster “12.12: The Day” emerging as front-runners by securing six nominations each, including nods in the coveted Best Film category.
Announced on Friday afternoon in Hong Kong, the nominations set the stage for the upcoming ceremony scheduled for March 10 at the city’s West Kowloon Cultural District and the Qiyu Centre.
While both films garnered significant attention with their multiple nominations, there is a sense of déjà vu as the AFAs faced a similar scenario in 2023 when the Korean romantic-crime drama “Decision to Leave” led nominations in ten categories but ultimately secured only three prizes. Notably, it lost the Best Picture award to Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car.”
The 2024 awards will be determined by a distinguished jury chaired by renowned Japanese director Kurosawa Kiyoshi, known for his works like “Cure,” “Pulse,” and “Wife of a Spy.” Kurosawa commended the AFAs for contributing to Asia’s cinematic diversity in a video message during the nominations event.
Despite the accolades, this year’s nominations predominantly favored titles from East Asia, particularly Korea, Japan, and Greater China. Only one film from South Asia, Sri Lankan director Prasanna Vithanage’s “Paradise,” received recognition, earning four nominations, including Best Film and Best Director. Another notable contender was “Snow Leopard” by Pema Tseden, the Tibetan-Chinese director who passed away last year, also securing four nominations.
The AFAs mark the beginning of an eventful month for Hong Kong’s film scene, paving the way for the Hong Kong FilMart, the region’s largest film rights market, and the HAF film project market. The month concludes with the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
