Hamaguchi Ryusuke’s ‘All of a Sudden,’ Abinash Bikram Shah’s ‘Elephants in the Fog’ Lead Asia Pacific Screen Awards Nominations
The 19th Asia Pacific Screen Awards nominations have been announced, with Hamaguchi Ryusuke's "All of a Sudden" and Abinash Bikram Shah's "Elephants in the Fog" leading the field with three nominations each, including best film, best director and best performance. The Asia Pacific Screen Academy revealed a 36-film slate spanning 32 countries and regions ahead of the ceremony on 30 October in Australia, highlighting the growing international collaboration behind films from the region.
Both lead contenders will compete for best director against Sompot Chidgasornpongse ("9 Temples to Heaven"), Aung Phyoe ("Fruit Gathering") and Jennifer Peedom ("Tenzing"), while three further titles — "No Good Men," "Guria" and "9 Temples to Heaven" — each received two nominations. Notably, 69% of nominated directors are presenting their first or second feature, a pattern especially strong in the youth and animation categories, where every nominee is a first- or second-time filmmaker. The Asia Pacific Screen Forum will run from 28-30 October on the Gold Coast, preceding the awards ceremony, with sessions on financing and cross-border collaboration alongside a masterclass from jury president Mandy Walker.
In short
- "All of a Sudden" and "Elephants in the Fog" lead with three nominations each
- 36 films from 32 countries nominated; ceremony held 30 October in Australia
- 69% of nominated directors are first- or second-time filmmakers
Explained simply
The Asia Pacific Screen Awards recognise films made across Asia and the Pacific, a region that includes countries with very different film industries and languages. The awards are organised by the Asia Pacific Screen Academy, which brings together filmmakers and industry professionals from across the region.
The nominations cover films from many countries and include categories for directing, acting, youth films and animation. Directors, performers and production teams are recognised for their work, while the awards also give audiences a way to discover films that may be less widely shown internationally.
The awards ceremony is held alongside industry events where film professionals can meet and discuss topics such as funding and working across borders. These links can help films reach audiences beyond the countries where they were made.
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