Women directors dominate Asia Pacific Screen Awards nominations
The Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) have revealed their latest nominations, spotlighting significant contributions by women directors and first-time filmmakers. This year’s selections highlight diversity and emerging talent in the industry, with an emphasis on powerful storytelling from across the region.
Top contenders of the year
Two films stand out with leading nominations: Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine as Light” and Dea Kulumbegashvili’s ”April”. Both feature prominently, being nominated in five major categories including best film, best director, best screenplay, best cinematography, and best performance.
Competing for the top spot
Apart from Kapadia’s and Kulumbegashvili’s works, the best film category features other compelling stories such as Yoko Yamanaka’s Tokyo-centric narrative on mental illness, “Desert of Namibia”; the futuristic tale of social surveillance, “Happyend” by Neo Sora; and Jiang Xiaoxuan’s biographical portrayal in “To Kill a Mongolian Horse”, a multi-national production that includes Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the U.S.
Explore the trailer for ”All We Imagine as Light” and delve into “April” for a glimpse into these nominated films.
Emphasis on female directors and debut features
Notably, four out of the five best film nominees have been directed by women – a groundbreaking achievement in the award’s history. Moreover, all five contenders are either first or second films from the directors, underscoring the rise of new voices in the Asia Pacific cinematic landscape.
Directorial excellence recognized
Alongside Kapadia and Kulumbegashvili, the best director category includes Tato Kotetishvili for “Holy Electricity” and the acclaimed Rithy Panh for “Meeting with Pol Pot”. This mix of emerging talent and seasoned auteurs reflects APSA’s commitment to celebrating cinematic excellence at all career stages.
Revolution in the performance category
For the first time since the acting category was redefined as an ungendered best performance award, all five nominations have gone to women. These include:
- Kani Kusruti for “All We Imagine as Light” (India)
- Ia Sukhitashvili for “April” (Georgia)
- Yuumi Kawai for “Desert of Namibia” (Japan)
- Madina Akylbekova for “Madina” (Kazakhstan)
- Soheila Golestani for “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” (Iran)
This shift not only broadens the scope of recognition but also foregrounds the exceptional talent of female performers in the industry.
Celebrating a new generation of storytellers
Tracey Vieira, chair of APSA, remarked on the significance of this year’s nominations: “In 2024, two thirds of our nominated films are debut or second films, representing the cinematic excellence of the next generation of Asia Pacific voices, and the unique and compelling stories they are choosing to tell.” This statement reinforces the importance of nurturing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches in filmmaking.
The awards ceremony and upcoming forum
The prestigious awards will be presented at a ceremony on November 30 in Gold Coast, Queensland, following the four-day Asia Pacific Screen Forum (November 27-30). This event promises to be a hub for networking, discussion, and celebration of cinematic achievements.
In addition to honoring the nominated films and individuals, the ceremony will also announce the recipients of the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund grants, each worth $25,000. These grants, fully supported by the Motion Picture Association, Asia Pacific, will further support the continuing development of outstanding cinematic works.
As the date approaches, the excitement builds. Stay tuned for updates on these films and celebrate the groundbreaking achievements in Asia Pacific cinema. Share your thoughts on social media as we follow the journeys of these incredible filmmakers.