Georgia’s ‘Guria’ Wins Best Film at Asia Pacific Screen Awards as Thailand’s Sompot Chidgasornpongse Takes Director Prize
Levan Koguashvili’s Georgian film “Guria” won best film at the 19th Asia Pacific Screen Awards, held in Queensland on 30 October. Thailand’s Sompot Chidgasornpongse won best director for “9 Temples to Heaven”, while the awards also recognised films and filmmakers from across the region.
The ceremony’s 36 nominated films represented 32 countries and regions. Other winners included Shahrbanoo Sadat, whose “No Good Men” received the Jury Grand Prize, and Pushpa Thing Lama for best performance in “Elephants in the Fog”. Five projects were selected for the 2026 MPA APSA Academy Film Fund, each receiving a $10,000 grant; three are directed by women.
In short
- “Guria” took the top prize at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
- Sompot Chidgasornpongse won best director for “9 Temples to Heaven”.
- Five film projects will each receive a $10,000 development grant.
Explained simply
The Asia Pacific Screen Awards recognise films from countries and regions across Asia and the Pacific. They bring together filmmakers working in a wide range of national cinemas, languages and traditions.
The awards include prizes for films, directors and performances, as well as support for projects in development. Their reach matters because it gives international attention to work that may be less familiar to audiences outside its home region.
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