by FilmInk Staff
Samsara, It Was Just an Accident, Magellan among top nominations
Asia Pacific Cinema’s Finest: 33 Films from 24 Countries and Regions in the Prestigious APSA Lineup
The Asia Pacific Screen Academy today announced the nominees in the 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) and launched the program for the 7th Asia Pacific Screen Forum proudly supported by Australia’s Gold Coast.
In partnership with APSA, Jewel Private Residences will welcome the international film community to their luxury, world-class residences for an event that showcases the finest cinematic achievements from 24 countries and areas across the Asia Pacific, celebrating films that embody the cultural richness and diversity of the region.
The 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards on Thursday 27th November and the 7th Asia Pacific Screen Forum from 24th to 27th November will take place at The Langham, Gold Coast and Jewel Private Residences, on the traditional land of the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh language region.
18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Thursday 27th November
At the 18th annual event in 2025, five very different stories lead the pack, each nominated for Best Film and recognised across multiple categories.
Garin Nugroho’s Samsara (Indonesia – 3 nominations), Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident (Islamic Republic of Iran, France, Luxembourg – 2 nominations), Lav Diaz’s Magellan (Portugal, Spain, France, Philippines, Taiwan – 2 nominations), Cai Shangjun’s The Sun Rises on Us All (People’s Republic of China – 2 nominations) and Sho Miyake’s Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Japan – 2 nominations) are all in contention to win Best Film. These five films also have nominations in categories including Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Performance.
Further mention must go to the film Yunan (Germany, Canada, Italy, Palestine, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia), which is nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Performance, rounding off the multi-nomination films for this year’s APSA.
Remarkably, 48% of the 33 directors of nominated films are presenting only their first or second feature – a striking reminder that some of the most daring and original voices in international cinema are emerging from our region. To see such a high proportion of early-career filmmakers recognised at an event of APSA’s calibre underscores the Awards’ role as a launchpad for new talent and a beacon for the future of world cinema.
In addition to the prestigious Best Film category, APSA honours a range of artistic and technical achievements that reflect the depth and diversity of filmmaking across the region. Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Best Director recognise the craft, vision and storytelling power bringing films to life. The Best Performance award, uniquely ungendered since its introduction, reflects APSA’s commitment to inclusivity and acknowledges the breadth of talent across the region.
Celebrating films made for and about young people, Best Youth Film highlights the importance of cinema in shaping and reflecting the voices of the next generation. Best Animated Film shines a light on the innovation and creativity of Asia Pacific animators and directors working across traditional hand-drawn artistry and cutting-edge techniques. This year’s directors in the Best Animated Film category are all first-time directors, which is a nod to the incredible talent the Asia Pacific is producing. Best Documentary Film honours filmmakers capturing the urgent real-life stories of the region that must be told. Together, these categories ensure APSA not only showcases the finest films but also reflects the full spectrum of cinematic excellence across the Asia Pacific.
7th Asia Pacific Screen Forum, 24th to 27th November
The Asia Pacific Screen Forum will celebrate cinema’s ability to cross national boundaries and connect cultures through shared stories. This year’s Screen Forum theme, Beyond Borders, invites filmmakers to push past conventional limits and explore new opportunities for storytelling and collaboration across the Asia Pacific.
The Asia Pacific Screen Forum serves as a vital space for connection and collaboration, championing the future of global screen stories. Amid increasing global pressures that encourage isolation, the Screen Forum highlights cinema’s unique power to unite creative communities and promote cross-cultural understanding. Across four days, filmmakers will be encouraged to come with a project and leave with a pathway.
Through inspiring talks, and key initiatives designed to foster dialogue and collaboration with some of the world’s top film industry leaders, the Screen Forum equips filmmakers with the tools, partnerships, and vision to transform concepts into reality. It is about bringing together storytellers who are ready to engage with the Asia Pacific, ensuring they leave not just inspired, but empowered with practical pathways to create stories that resonate beyond borders and shape a more connected future for cinema.
The Screen Forum will explore five key focus areas: Transcending Boundaries, encouraging innovative collaborations, co-productions, and regional storytelling; Cultural Bridge-Building, uniting filmmakers across diverse cultures through shared creative vision; Self-Empowerment in a Fragmented World, fostering collaboration and connection in an era of isolationism; Innovation Over Convention, breaking free from traditional funding models, distribution, and partnerships; and From Vision to Reality, empowering filmmakers to transform concepts into productions through collaboration and cultural intelligence.
The Forum will open with Post Code Doesn’t Matter a national regional initiative led by Women in Film & Television Australia that dismantles geographical barriers for screen creatives and champions equitable access to opportunity regardless of location. Day Two turns the focus to the building blocks of international success, with sessions on Development, Audience, The New Deal and strategies for Breaking Into New Markets, equipping filmmakers with the tools to think globally from the outset. Day Three begins with the interactive workshop Bridging Cultures, Building Teams, a practical exploration of how cultural intelligence shapes collaboration, before concluding with Country-specific Roundtables designed to foster direct dialogue, partnerships, and pathways between filmmakers across the region.
Full program details available here.
Chair of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Tracey Vieira, congratulated the nominees in the 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards, who now join the highly esteemed Asia Pacific Screen Academy.
“With almost half the nominated works being debut features, 2025 is a testament to the vitality and innovation of emerging voices across our diverse region. It is an exciting time for the Gold Coast to host this important event where we will see filmmakers across the Asia Pacific region come with a project and leave with a pathway.
“We are incredibly lucky to have our ongoing partnership with Jewel Private Residences, The Langham, Gold Coast and The Post Lounge, and the ongoing support of the City of Gold Coast, Screen Queensland, Motion Picture Association Asia Pacific and stakeholders that support APSA in the work that we do to ensure these world-class awards and the Screen Forum continue to grow world-class screen opportunities for those in the Asia Pacific and beyond borders, adding to our culturally diverse region.”
“The strength of these awards is the long-standing partnership between our city and the Asia Pacific Screen Academy,’’ said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
“I am thrilled the academy has seen the Gold Coast as a reliable and trusted partner in their industry. I wish all nominees success in the 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards and congratulate all partners in bringing together an extensive program for the 7th Asia Pacific Screen Forum.
“It’s a great time to be on the Gold Coast. Let’s celebrate success on and off the screen.’’
CEO of Screen Queensland, Jacqui Feeney said “As a proud supporter of the 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Screen Queensland congratulates the nominees announced today across 33 incredible films, including the Australian animated feature The Lost Tiger. We look forward to welcoming filmmakers from the Asia Pacific to Queensland and connecting you with our local practitioners during the Forum, to explore new opportunities for storytelling and collaboration that APSA showcases so powerfully.”
Yutao Li, Vice President of AW Jewel, said, “We are honoured to once again partner with the Asia Pacific Screen Academy to celebrate the region’s most inspiring filmmakers and storytellers. The 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards continues to showcase the boundless creativity and cultural diversity. At AW Jewel, we are passionate about creating iconic destinations that embody this same spirit of innovation and artistic excellence. Hosting this year’s event at Jewel reaffirms our commitment to supporting global creativity and fostering meaningful cultural exchange.”
The Asia Pacific Screen Academy in partnership with Jewel Private Residences, by AW Jewel acknowledges the support of Major Partners: Top 51 World Filmmakers Club, Luxury beachfront hotel The Langham, Gold Coast, Australia’s leading lifestyle, opportunity and filmmaking destination the City of Gold Coast, the state’s premier screen production and culture agency Screen Queensland, internationally acclaimed post house The Post Lounge Group, and Motion Picture Association (MPA) Asia Pacific – the leading global advocacy organisation protecting and promoting the voices of Asia Pacific screen makers.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES:
BEST FILM
It Was Just an Accident (Un simple accident)
Islamic Republic of Iran, France, Luxembourg
Directed by Jafar Panahi
Produced by Jafar Panahi, Philippe Martin
Magellan
Portugal, Spain, France, Philippines, Taiwan
Directed by Lav Diaz
Produced by Joaquim Sapinho, Marta Alves, Albert Serra, Montse Triola, Paul Soriano, Mark Victor
Samsara
Indonesia
Directed by Garin Nugroho
Produced by Gita Fara
The Sun Rises on Us All (Ri gua zhong tian)
People’s Republic of China
Directed by Cai Shangjun
Produced by Ma Shuang, Huang Titi, Justine O.
Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Tabi to Hibi)
Japan
Directed by Sho Miyake
Produced by Masayoshi Johnai
BEST YOUTH FILM
Amoeba
Singapore, Netherlands, France, Spain, Republic of Korea
Directed by Tan Siyou
Produced by Fran Borgia
Before the Bright Day
Taiwan
Directed by Tsao Shih-Han
Produced by Lin Shih-Ken
The President’s Cake
Iraq, United States of America, Qatar
Directed by Hasan Hadi
Produced by Leah Chen Baker
Village Rockstars 2
India, Singapore, People’s Republic of China
Directed by Rima Das
Produced by Rima Das
The World of Love
Republic of Korea
Directed by Yoon Ga-eun
Produced by Kim Se-hun, Jenna Ku
BEST ANIMATED FILM
Another World
Hong Kong
Directed by Tommy Ng Kai Chung
Produced by Polly Yeung, Chan Gin Kai
ChaO
Japan
Directed by Yasuhiro Aoki
Produced by Eiko Tanaka
The Lost Tiger
Australia
Directed by Chantelle Murray
Produced by Kristen Souvlis, Nadine Bates, Chantelle Murray
The Square
Republic of Korea
Directed by Kim Bo-sol
Produced by Park So-hye, Kim Bo-sol
A Story About Fire (Ran Bi Wa)
People’s Republic of China
Directed by Wenyu Li
Produced by Chen Bo, Wang Anyi
BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM
10s Across the Borders
Philippines, Singapore, Germany
Directed by Chan Sze-Wei
Produced by Alemberg Ang, Chan Sze-Wei, Tan Si En, Yasmin C. Rams, Sophia Sim
Always
United States of America, France, People’s Republic of China, Taiwan
Directed by Deming Chen
Produced by Hansen Lin
Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk
France, Palestine
Directed by Sepideh Farsi
Produced by Javad Djavahery
We Live Here
Kazakhstan
Directed by Zhanana Kurmasheva
Produced by Banu Ramazanova
Writing Hawa
France, Netherlands, Qatar, Afghanistan
Directed by Najiba Noori
Produced by Christian Popp
BEST DIRECTOR
Amir Azizi for Inside Amir (Daroon-e Amir)
Islamic Republic of Iran
Jafar Panahi for It Was Just an Accident (Un simple accident)
Islamic Republic of Iran, France, Luxembourg
Akio Fujimoto for Lost Land (Harà Watan)
Japan, France, Malaysia, Germany
Garin Nugroho for Samsara
Indonesia
Sengedorj Janchivdorj for Silent City Driver
Mongolia
BEST SCREENPLAY
Shu Qi for Girl (Nühai)
Taiwan
Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit for Human Resource
Thailand
Annemarie Jacir for Palestine 36
Palestine, United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Chie Hayakawa for Renoir
Japan, France, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar
Kaouther Ben Hania for The Voice of Hind Rajab
Tunisia, France
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Artur Tort, Lav Diaz for Magellan
Portugal, Spain, France, Philippines, Taiwan
Prabhath Roshan for Riverstone
Sri Lanka
Batara Goempar for Samsara
Indonesia
Yuta Tsukinaga for Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Tabi to Hibi)
Japan
Ronald Plante for Yunan
Germany, Canada, Italy, Palestine, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia
BEST PERFORMANCE
Khairiah Nathmy for Hijra
Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, United Kingdom
Sean Lau for Papa
Hong Kong
Xin Zhilei for The Sun Rises on Us All (Ri gua zhong tian)
People’s Republic of China
Ariel Bronz for Yes (Ken)
France, Israel, Cyprus, Germany
Georges Khabbaz for Yunan
Germany, Canada, Italy, Palestine, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia
