20TH ANNIVERSARY NEW YORK ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AUDIENCE AND UNCAGED AWARD WINNERS FOLLOWING RECORD-BREAKING 17-DAY RUN

New York, NY (July 31, 2022) – The 20th anniversary edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) closed out an epic 17-day run on Sunday night, after welcoming nearly 100 acclaimed filmmakers, international stars and other notable guests from across Asia and the US, screening over 60 films in-theater at Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) and Asia Society from July 15 – 31, hosting a range of masterclasses and compelling talk sessions, and smashing festival attendance records. The 20th anniversary lineup included six world premieres, eight international premieres, 20 North American premieres, four US premieres, and 15 East Coast/New York premieres, showcasing the most exciting new action, comedy, drama, thriller, romance, horror, and art-house films from Hong Kong, Japan, China, South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Mongolia, Singapore, and the United States.

Prior to the screening of the NYAFF Closing Film, time-travel sci-fi epic Alienoid, from blockbuster Korean director Choi Dong-hoon, the festival announced two Audience Award winners and the recipient of the Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film and a Special Mention.

After a close tally, two Audience Awards were handed out, the first to Cho Eun-ji’s Perhaps Love (South Korea, 2022) an ebullient screwball dramedy about a washed-up novelist who is reinvigorated by a collaboration with his gay student; and the second to Coba Cheng’s Chilli Laugh Story (Hong Kong, 2022), a hilarious, heartwarming comedy about a bickering family who begin bottling and selling their insanely tasty old-school chili sauce.

Several members of the Uncaged Award Jury then took to the stage to announce the winner of the Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film, which shines the spotlight on work that deserves to be internationally heralded, celebrating the directors for their passion, their imagination, and their willingness to take risks.

The Uncaged Competition jury was composed of prominent figures from the film business bridging Asia and America: Jason Gray (creative producer, Loaded Films), Anderson Le (co-founder of East Films and artistic director of the Hawaii International Film Festival), Leon Le (performer and film director), Madeleine Molyneaux (independent producer and founder, Picture Palace Pictures), and Mayu Nakamura (filmmaker and principal, Omphalos Pictures). This year’s competition included eight wildly diverse films from directors in China, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan. Anderson Le unveiled the Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film, which went to The Sales Girl from Janchivdorj Sengedorj (Mongolia, 2021), a joyfully quirky coming-of-age tale fueled by a splendidly original script, unique characters, and unexpected encounters.

Commented Le: “Director Janchivdorj Sengedorj expertly crafts a quirky and candid coming-of-age film that defies conventions, fueled by a great indie rock soundtrack and an intergenerational friendship, masterfully depicted by Bayartsetseg Bayarjargal and Enkhtuul Oidovjamts. The Sales Girl is both a familiar and original endearing story of self-discovery.”

Sengedorj, who several days earlier sat for one of the longest and most popular Q&A sessions at the festival, commented, “Wow. This is to all the Mongolians who live in the center of Asia. Thank you so much. And also thank you so much to the New York Asian Film Festival for everything. I really appreciate the two actors, with whom I will share the award.”

Juror Mayu Nakamura additionally announced a Special Mention for Technical Achievement to Jigme Tringley’s One and Four (China, 2021), an ultra-tense comedy-thriller about double-crosses, mistaken identities, and poaching, set in a remote, snow-covered Tibetan forest. Said Nakamura: “It takes a village to make a film. Therefore, the Jury would like to recognize director Jigme Trinley, in his first feature, and his amazing team for turning in a taut thriller — from stunning cinematography, to the gloriously dissonant soundscape, the mise en scène in One and Four is expertly and efficiently staged in this Tibetan wintry western.”

Leon Le also announced another Special Mention for Acting to yao for Ken Kwek’s #LookAtMe (Singapore, 2022), a brilliantly energetic romp about social media celebrity, cancel culture, and the erosion of human rights. Said Le: “Unabashedly queer-themed and queer advocating, #LookAtMe is supercharged by a tour-de-force performance by yao, doing double duty as twin brothers. From Gen-Z frivolity to all manner of abuse in Singapore's unjust system against the LGBTQ community, yao's stellar performances strengthen the film as an agent of political and cultural change in Singapore.”

Yao commented, “Thank you so much — I didn’t know this existed, but I’m so glad it does. I’d like to share a few words on behalf of the entire team and the director: ‘We are really happy that #LookAtMe premiered at NYAFF and we’re honored to play alongside all the other great competition films. We’re so glad that the jury liked the film, even more so than the audience did. We love you, New York City! Thank you and we’ll be back.’”

NYAFF’s veritable blizzard of guests brought filmmakers to nearly every screening, including Hong Kong cultural icon Josie Ho, who presented her inspiring musical documentary Finding Bliss: Fire and Ice—The Director's Cut, along with two of her earlier key films; legendary J-Horror maestro Takashi Shimizu, who received NYAFF’s 2022 Screen International Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award and presented his spine-tingling new opus Ox-Head Village; Screen International Star Asia Award winner Hiroshi Abe, who appeared with director Eiji Uchida for the world premiere of midlife redemption dramedy Offbeat Cops; inaugural Best from the East honoree Ryu Seung-Ryong, star of Cho Eun-ji’s poignant screwball comedy Perhaps Love; NYAFF Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema awardee Jang Hyuk, star of two films by Choi Jae-hun, The Killer and The Swordsman; Screen International Rising Star Asia Award winner Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund, who headlined director Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit’s NYAFF 2022 Opening Film Fast & Feel Love with star Nat Kitcharit; Screen International Rising Star Asia Award winner Kim Hye-yoon, the lead in Park Ri-woong’s The Girl on a Bulldozer; Shin Ultraman director Shinji Higuchi and producer Tomoya Nishino; I Am More director Lee Il-ha and glamorous drag queen-ballerina More; Big Night! director Jun Robles Lana and star Christian Bables; #LookAtMe director Ken Kwek, producer Pam Oei and star yao (formerly Thomas Pang); Confession director Yoon Jong-seok; Fire on the Plain director Zhang Ji; Next Door director Yeom Ji-ho; rapper-actor Kyle Chin (“Son of Paper”); Dealing with Dad director Tom Huang; Dennis Liu creator of Raising Dion; and Doris Yeung, director, producer and founder of CinemAsia Film Festival.

Closing out the festival, NYAFF Executive Director and President of the New York Asian Film Foundation Samuel Jamier noted, “As the festival enters its third decade of NYAFF celebrating and circulating the most vibrant and provocative cinema out of Asia today, it’s clear that we’ve reached a critical turning point this year. Our attendance surpassed pre-pandemic levels substantially, and we hosted star-studded red carpet events with the largest number of overseas visitors in the festival’s history, as well as featuring local VIPs like the new Deputy Film Commissioner for New York City Kwame Amoaku, and high-level executives from New York-based organizations like Susan Li from Fox Business News, Wendy Diamond from DO/LDP Ventures, and actress/model Giselle Piña. Their presence helps underscore the importance of the festival as a major local and international event. While there’s still much to be done and improve upon, the NYAFF team can be proud of these major achievements this year, and I thank all our staff and volunteers for their hard work.”

The New York Asian Film Festival is co-presented by the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center in association with Asia Society and took place from July 15–28, 2022 at FLC’s Walter Reade Theater (165 West 65th Street), and on July 23 and July 28–31 at Asia Society (725 Park Avenue). It is curated by executive director Samuel Jamier, associate director Claire Marty, and programmers David Wilentz, Karen Severns, Koichi Mori, and Jenny Lin.

NYAFF 2022 FULL LINEUP

OPENING FILM

Fast & Feel Love | dir. Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, Thailand 2022 | International Premiere

CENTERPIECE FILM

Hansan: Rising Dragon | dir. Kim Han-min, South Korea 2022 | North American Premiere

CLOSING FILM

Alienoid | dir. Choi Dong-hoon, South Korea 2022 | North American Premiere

CROWD PLEASERS

– Mama Boy | dir. Arvin Chen, Taiwan 2022 | North American Premiere
– Mama's Affair | dir. Kearen Pang, Hong Kong 2022 | New York Premiere
– My Best Friend’s Breakfast | dir. Du Zheng Zhe, Taiwan 2022 | North American Premiere
– Offbeat Cops | dir. Eiji Uchida, Japan 2022 | World Premiere
– Stellar: A Magical Ride | dir. Kwon Soo-kyung, South Korea 2022 | International Premiere
– Table for Six | dir. Sunny Chan, Hong Kong 2022 | North American Premiere
– We Are Family | dir. Benny Lau, Hong Kong 2022 | World Premiere

GENRE MASTERS

Innovative new work that tweaks and twists genre conventions

– Confession | dir. Yoon Jong-seok, South Korea 2022 | North American Premiere
– Lesson in Murder | dir. Kazuya Shiraishi, Japan 2022 | North American Premiere
– Ox-Head Village | dir. Takashi Shimizu, Japan 2022 | North American Premiere
– Preman: Silent Fury | dir. Randolph Zaini, Indonesia 2021 | New York Premiere
– Shin Ultraman | dir. Shinji Higuchi, Japan 2022 | U.S. Premiere
– The Funeral | dir. Dan-Quei Shen, Taiwan 2022 | International Premiere
– The Killer | dir. Choi Jae-hun, South Korea 2022 | Special Screening
– The Swordsman | dir. Choi Jae-hun, South Korea 2020 | Special Screening

NEXT/NOW

Highlighting emerging voices and promising works by up-and-coming directors

– Chilli Laugh Story | dir. Coba Cheng, Hong Kong 2022 | International Premiere
– Fire on the Plain | dir. Zhang Ji, China 2021 | New York Premiere, A CineCina Selection
– I Haven’t Done Anything | dir. Park Sang-min, South Korea 2022 | World Premiere
– Legendary in Action! | dir. Justin Cheung, Li Ho, Hong Kong 2022 | North American Premiere
– Virgin Blue | dir. Niu Xiaoyu, China 2021 | New York Premiere, A CineCina Selection

BEYOND BORDERS

Films that tell stories about characters confronting different cultures

– Before Next Spring | dir. Li Gen, China 2021 | North American Premiere, A CineCina Selection
– 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

FRONTLINES

Films grounded in the lives of those in marginalized communities, with narratives that examine pressing issues

– Broken Commandment | dir. Kazuo Maeda, Japan 2022 | International Premiere
– The Girl on a Bulldozer | dir. Park Ri-woong, South Korea 2022 | North American Festival Premiere

STANDOUTS

Exceptional films, regardless of premiere status

– Big Night! | dir. Jun Robles Lana, Philippines 2021 | New York Premiere
– Hot Blooded | dir. Cheon Myeong-kwan, South Korea 2022 | U.S. Premiere
– I Am More | dir. Lee Il-ha, South Korea, 2021 | North American Premiere
– Manchurian Tiger | dir. Geng Jun, China 2021 | U.S. Premiere, A CineCina Selection
– Next Door | dir. Yeom Ji-ho, South Korea 2022 | U.S. Premiere

VANGUARDS

Original films that break away from formalistic and/or narrative conventions

– Grown-ups | dir. Takuya Kato, Japan 2022 | International Premiere
– Intimate Stranger | dir. Mayu Nakamura, Japan 2021 | North American Premiere
– Nothing Serious | dir. Jeong Ga-young, South Korea 2022 | New York Premiere
– Ribbon | dir. Non, Japan 2022 | East Coast Premiere
– Ripples of Life | dir. Wei Shujun, China 2021 | New York Premiere, A CineCina Selection
– Terrorizers | dir. Ho Wi Ding, Taiwan 2021 | New York Premiere

UNCAGED AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE FILM COMPETITION

– #LookAtMe | dir. Ken Kwek, Singapore 2022 | World Premiere
– Angry Son | dir. Kasho Iizuka, Japan 2022 | North American Premiere
– Imaginur | dir. Nik Amir Mustapha, Malaysia 2022 | World Premiere
– One and Four | dir. Jigme Trinley, China 2021 | North American Premiere
– Perhaps Love | dir. Cho Eun-ji, South Korea 2021 | North American Premiere
– Reclaim | dir. CJ Wang, Taiwan 2022 | International Premiere
– The Sales Girl | dir. Janchivdorj Sengedorj, Mongolia 2021 | North American Premiere
– Fast & Feel Love | dir. Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, Thailand 2022 | International Premiere

25th Anniversary program HKETO, CLASSIC MARATHON (presented with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York)

– Happy Together | dir. Wong Kar Wai, Hong Hong 1997 | Outdoors at Hearst Plaza
– Kung Fu Hustle | dir. Stephen Chow, Hong Kong 2004
– Overheard | dir. Alan Mak, Felix Chong, China/Hong Kong/Singapore 2009
– Running on Karma | dir. Johnnie To, Wai Ka-Fai, Hong Kong 2003
– The Eye | dir. Pang brothers, Hong Kong/Singapore 2002

Josie Ho Tribute (presented with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York)

– Dream Home | dir. Pang Ho-cheung, Hong Kong 2010
– Full Strike | dir. Derek Kwok, Henri Wong, Hong Kong 2015

ASIAN AMERICAN FOCUS

– Dealing with Dad | dir. Tom Huang, USA 2022 | East Coast Premiere

BRIGHT FUTURES: THE 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

NYAFF 2022 VENUES

– Film at Lincoln Center (FLC), July 15–28, 2022
– Walter Reade Theater, 165 West 65th Street
– Asia Society: July 23 and July 28–31, 2022, 725 Park Avenue

NEW YORK ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL (NYAFF)

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2022, the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) is North America’s leading festival of Asian cinema, called “the best film festival in New York” by The Village Voice and “arguably the world’s best-curated program of new and classic Asian cinema” by indieWire. Launched in 2002, the festival showcases a wildly diverse lineup of singular titles each year, ranging from mainstream blockbusters and art-house eccentricities to genre and cult classics. It was the first North American film festival to champion the works of Johnnie To, Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook, Takashi Miike, and other auteurs of contemporary Asian cinema. Notable festival guests include Lee Byung-hun, Ryoo Seung-wan, Masami Nagasawa, Sammo Hung, Lee Jung-jae, and Jackie Chan. Since 2010, NYAFF has been produced in collaboration with Film at Lincoln Center. For more information, visit https://www.nyaff.org and on social: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, #nyaff2022.

NEW YORK ASIAN FILM FOUNDATION

The New York Asian Film Foundation Inc. is America’s premier 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the exhibition and appreciation of Asian film culture in all its forms, with year-round festivals and programs, and a view to building bridges between Asia and America.

The New York Asian Film Foundation’s flagship event is the annual New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), which has been presented in collaboration with Film at Lincoln Center since 2010. Now celebrating its 20th year, NYAFF is North America’s leading festival of Asian cinema.

The Foundation’s other events and initiatives include special screening events and an annual Winter Showcase at the SVA Theatre.

The New York Asian Film Festival, a program of the New York Asian Film Foundation, is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

FILM AT LINCOLN CENTER

Film at Lincoln Center is dedicated to supporting the art and elevating the craft of cinema and enriching film culture.

Film at Lincoln Center fulfills its mission through the programming of festivals, series, retrospectives, and new releases; the publication of Film Comment; and the presentation of podcasts, talks, special events, and artist initiatives. Since its founding in 1969, this nonprofit organization has brought the celebration of American and international film to the world-renowned Lincoln Center arts complex, making the discussion and appreciation of cinema accessible to a broad audience and ensuring that it remains an essential art form for years to come.

Film at Lincoln Center receives generous, year-round support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Film at Lincoln Center. For more information, visit www.filmlinc.org and follow @filmlinc on Twitter and Instagram.

For media-specific inquiries regarding Film at Lincoln Center, please contact:

– John Kwiatkowski, Film at Lincoln Center, JKwiatkowski@filmlinc.org
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ASIA SOCIETY

Asia Society is the leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context. Across the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, the Society provides insight, generates ideas, and promotes collaboration to address present challenges and create a shared future.

Founded in 1956, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution with offices in Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo, Washington, D.C., and Zurich. For more information, visit asiasociety.org and follow @asiasociety on Twitter.