The New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center announced the first lineup of movies that will be screened at the 20th anniversary edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), which will start on July 15.
After two years, the NYAFF will return as an in-person event with more than 60 new and classic titles from July 15 to 31.
This year’s lineup will include world, international, North American, US and New York premieres, showcasing the most exhilarating action, comedy, drama, thriller, romance, horror, and art-house films.
“We’re thrilled to be back fully in person after two years, the best and only way to really have a festival, in my view,” said Samuel Jamier, executive director of NYAFF and president of the New York Asian Film Foundation.
He added, “We’ve been really impressed with the quality and diversity of films made during the trying times of the pandemic, and we’re especially excited that we can once again welcome guests from all over Asia to the stage at FLC, giving them the spotlight they deserve. We look forward to celebrating NYAFF’s 20th anniversary and 20 years of discovering films from half a world away, a region now universally celebrated for its great filmmaking and storytelling, with some of today’s most talented and acclaimed stars and renowned filmmakers.”
The NYAFF opening film is the international premiere of the Thai romcom “Fast & Feel Love,” directed by Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit (“Heart Attack,” NYAFF 2016).
The director will be joined at Film at Lincoln Center on opening night by his leading actress, Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund, who will be honored on stage with the Screen International Rising Star Award.
The Thai-Norwegian actress is known for roles in popular TV series and films such as Witthaya Thongyooyong’s “Brother of the Year.”
NYAFF’s South Korean lineup, presented with the support of the Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY), will showcase, among many others, “Confession” from Yoon Jong-seok, a labyrinthine tale of betrayal and intrigue anchored by tension-charged performances from So Ji-sub (NYAFF 2009 Rising Star Asia honoree) and Kim Yun-jin; Yeom Ji-ho’s taut comedic thriller “Next Door,” in which a would-be police cadet unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a real-life crime-fighting test; and the illuminating LGBTQ documentary “I Am More” by Lee Il-ha (Counters, NYAFF 2018) following the captivating journey of glamorous drag queen and transgender trailblazer More, who will join us for the film’s North American debut.
NYAFF’s recently announced partnership with the CineCina Film Festival (CCFF) is expected to allow both partners to reach a wider audience, promote enriched cultural exchange, and provide unprecedented access to the latest releases from mainland China.
The inaugural CineCina Selections will include Zhang Ji’s “Fire on the Plain,” Geng Jun’s “Manchurian Tiger,” Niu Xiaoyu’s “Virgin Blue” and Wei Shujun’s “Ripples of Life.”
Superstar singer-actor Josie Ho, Hong Kong’s ultimate creative powerhouse, will be at FLC to present her latest project, the inspiring documentary “Finding Bliss: Fire and Ice—The Director's Cut,” which she also co-produced.
FIRST WAVE OF LINEUP
CHINA (co-presented with CineCina Film Festival)
All the Crows in the World | dir. Tang Yi, Hong Kong 2021 | New York Premiere
Before Next Spring | dir. Li Gen, China, 2021 | North American Premiere
Fire on the Plain | dir. Zhang Ji, China, 2021 | New York Premiere
Manchurian Tiger | dir. Geng Jun, China, 2021 | US Premiere
Ripples of Life | dir. Wei Shujun, China, 2021 | New York Premiere
Virgin Blue | Niu Xiaoyu, China, 2021 | New York Premiere
HONG KONG (presented with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York)
Dream Home | dir. Pang Ho-cheung, Hong Kong, 2010
Far Far Away | dir. Amos Why, Hong Kong, 2021 | North American Premiere
Finding Bliss: Fire and Ice—The Director's Cut | dir. Kim Chan, Dee Lam, Hong Kong, 2022 | North American Premiere
Full Strike | dir. Derek Kwok, Henri Wong, Hong Kong, 2015
Happy Together | dir. Wong Kar Wai, Hong Kong, 1997 | Outdoor at Hearst Plaza
Kung Fu Hustle | dir. Stephen Chow, Hong Kong, 2004
Legendary in Action! | dir. Justin Cheung, Li Ho, Hong Kong, 2022 | North American Premiere
Mama's Affair | dir. Kearen Pang, Hong Kong, 2022 | New York Premiere
Overheard | dir. Alan Mak, Felix Chong, Hong Kong, 2009
Running on Karma | dir. Johnnie To, Wai Ka-Fai, Hong Kong, 2003
Table for Six | dir. Sunny Chan, Hong Kong, 2022 | North American Premiere
The Eye | dir. Pang Brothers, Hong Kong, Singapore, 2002
We Are Family | dir. Benny Lau, Hong Kong, 2022 | World Premiere
JAPAN (presented with the support of the Japan World Exposition 1970 Commemorative Fund)
Angry Son | dir. Kasho Iizuka, Japan, 2022 | North American Premiere
Broken Commandment | dir. Kazuo Maeda, Japan, 2022 | International Premiere
Grown-ups | dir. Takuya Kato, Japan, 2022 | International Premiere
Intimate Stranger | dir. Mayu Nakamura, Japan, 2021 | North American Premiere
Lesson in Murder | dir. Kazuya Shiraishi, Japan, 2022 | North American Premiere
Offbeat Cops | dir. Eiji Uchida, Japan, 2022 | World Premiere
Ox-Head Village | dir. Takashi Shimizu, Japan, 2022 | North American Premiere
Ribbon | dir. Non, Japan, 2022 | East Coast Premiere
Shin Ultraman | dir. Shinji Higuchi, Japan, 2022 | US Premiere
MONGOLIA
The Sales Girl | dir. Janchivdorj Sengedorj, Mongolia, 2021 | North American Premiere
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Big Night! | dir. Jun Robles Lana, Philippines, 2021 | New York Premiere
Fast & Feel Love | dir. Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, Thailand, 2022 | International Premiere
SOUTH KOREA (co-presented with Korean Cultural Center New York)
Confession | dir. Yoon Jong-seok, South Korea, 2022 | North American Premiere
I Am More | dir. Lee Il-ha, South Korea, 2021 | North American Premiere
Next Door | dir. Yeom Ji-ho, South Korea, 2022 | US Premiere
Perhaps Love | dir. Cho Eun-ji, South Korea, 2022 | North American Premiere
Stellar: A Magical Ride | dir. Kwon Soo-kyung, South Korea, 2022 | International Premiere
The Girl on a Bulldozer | dir. Park Ri-woong, South Korea, 2022 | New York Premiere
The Killer | dir. Choi Jae-hun, South Korea, 2022 | Special Screening
TAIWAN (presented with the support of Taipei Cultural Center in New York)
Mama Boy | dir. Arvin Chen, Taiwan, 2022 | North American Premiere
Terrorizers | dir. Ho Wi Ding, Taiwan, 2021 | New York Premiere
The Funeral | dir. Dan-Quei Shen, Taiwan, 2022 | International Premiere
ASIAN AMERICAN
Dealing with Dad | dir. Tom Huang, USA, 2022 | East Coast Premiere
NARRATIVE SHORTS SHOWCASE
Superlative short works by emerging filmmakers
- Ateh | dir. Kristie Ko, Hong Kong, 2021 | North American Premiere
- Black Goat | dir. Tang Yi, USA/Nepal, 2019 | New York Premiere
- Double Happiness | dir. Scarlett Li, China/USA, 2021 | New York Premiere
- Honekami (A Bite of Bone) | dir. Honami Yano, Japan, 2021
- Natsuko | dir. Shuna Iijima, Japan, 2020
- S.Q.A.G. (Short Quiet Asian Girl) | dir. Benedict Chiu, USA, 2022 | World Premiere
- Tank Fairy | dir. Erich Rettstadt, Taiwan/USA, 2021 | New York Premiere
- The Sea Between Us | dir. Yuga J Vardhan, Singapore, 2021
- Visitors | dir. Kenichi Ugana, Japan, 2021
- Wax and Wane | dir. Beidi Wang, USA, 2022 | New York Premiere
The NYAFF is co-presented by the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center.