Hamaguchi Ryusuke's 'All of a Sudden' and Abinash Bikram Shah's 'Elephants in the Fog' Lead Asia Pacific Screen Awards Nominations

The 19th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) has unveiled its comprehensive slate of nominees, showcasing cinematic excellence from across the diverse Asia Pacific region. Two films, Hamaguchi Ryusuke's "All of a Sudden" and Abinash Bikram Shah's "Elephants in the Fog," have emerged as frontrunners, each earning three prestigious nominations, including for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Performance. This recognition highlights the burgeoning talent and cross-cultural collaborations within the filmmaking community, with a significant number of first and second-time directors receiving nods across various categories.

Asia Pacific Screen Awards: Celebrating Cinematic Diversity and Emerging Talent

On a crisp October 30th, the vibrant cinematic landscape of the Asia Pacific region will converge in Australia for the 19th Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Leading the charge are Hamaguchi Ryusuke's compelling feature, "All of a Sudden," a co-production spanning France, Japan, Germany, and Belgium, and Abinash Bikram Shah's thought-provoking "Elephants in the Fog," a collaborative effort from Nepal, Germany, Brazil, France, and Norway. Both cinematic works have garnered three nominations each, competing fiercely in the categories of Best Film, Best Director, and Best Performance.

In the highly anticipated Best Director category, Hamaguchi and Shah will contend with an impressive lineup of filmmakers. Sompot Chidgasornpongse is recognized for his work on "9 Temples to Heaven," Aung Phyoe for "Fruit Gathering," and Jennifer Peedom for "Tenzing." The Best Film category also sees strong competition from Shahrbanoo Sadat's "No Good Men" (Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Afghanistan), Levan Koguashvili's "Guria" (Georgia, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Türkiye, U.K., Norway, Saudi Arabia), and Chidgasornpongse's "9 Temples to Heaven" (Thailand, Singapore, France, Norway, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Qatar), each receiving two nominations.

Beyond these top honors, APSA continues its tradition of recognizing diverse aspects of filmmaking through awards for Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Youth Film, Best Animated Film, and Best Documentary Film. Notably, the Best Performance category remains ungendered, emphasizing talent without categorization.

A striking trend observed this year is the significant representation of emerging filmmakers. According to the Asia Pacific Screen Academy, an impressive 69% of nominated directors are presenting their debut or second feature films. This trend is particularly pronounced in the youth and animation categories, where all five Best Youth Film nominees are helmed by first-time directors, and every Best Animated Film contender comes from a first or second-time filmmaker. Cross-border collaborations are also prominently featured, with Virginie Efira and Okamoto Tao receiving a joint nomination for Best Performance in "All of a Sudden," and the Singaporean-Spanish duo Ervin Han and Raúl García recognized for their animated feature, "The Violinist."

Tracey Vieira, Chair of the Asia Pacific Screen Academy, emphasized the power of collaboration evident in this year's nominations, noting the widespread partnerships between filmmakers and creative teams both within and beyond the Asia Pacific region. Several projects supported by the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund have also earned nominations, including "9 Temples to Heaven," Sara Ishaq's "The Station," and Anthony Chen's "We Are All Strangers," further underscoring the fund's impact on regional cinema. Mandy Walker ASC ACS, president of the international jury, highlighted the enriching experience of engaging with global cinema, reinforcing the awards' role in celebrating diverse narratives and artistic achievements. The Asia Pacific Screen Forum, running from October 28-30 on the Gold Coast, will precede the awards, offering discussions on financing, distribution, and cross-border collaboration, alongside a masterclass with Walker.

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards continue to be a vital platform for showcasing the rich tapestry of stories and artistic expressions emanating from this dynamic region. The strong showing of emerging talent and collaborative projects indicates a vibrant future for Asia Pacific cinema, fostering a global dialogue through shared narratives and diverse perspectives. The emphasis on international co-productions and the recognition of new voices underscore a commitment to pushing creative boundaries and enriching the global film landscape.