The Asia Pacific Screen Academy (APSA) has unveiled a 36-film shortlist representing 32 different countries and regions. Scheduled for an October 30 ceremony on Australia's Gold Coast, the selection emphasizes high-level international cooperation and a surge in new directorial voices.
A 69% surge in first-time directorial voices
The upcoming APSA awards are increasingly functioning as a launchpad for emerging talent rather than just a celebration of established masters. According to the academy, 69 percent of the nominated directors are currently working on their first or second feature films. this trend is most visible in the youth and animation categories, where every single one of the five nominees is a first- or second-time filmmaker.
This influx of new talent suggests a shifting landscape in regional cinema, where the barriers to entry are being lowered by international recognition.. The academy's focus on these newcomers highlights a strategic effort to cultivate the next generation of storytellers within the Asia Pacific creative hub, moving away from a reliance on veteran filmmakers.
The multi-nation web of "All of a Sudden" and "Guria"
Modern filmmaking in the Asia Pacific region is increasingly defined by complex, multi-country parnterships that transcend traditional borders. As APSA reported, the film "All of a Sudden" is a massive co-production involving France, Japan, Germany, and Belgium. This production has secured nominations for best film, best director, and best performance, featuring co-directors Hamaguchi Ryusuke and Amir Abdollahi, alongside lead actors Virginie Efira and Okamoto Tao.
Other productions demonstrate even more expansive geographic footprints, often involving a dozen or more nations in a single project:
- Guria: Directed by Levan Koguashvili, this film involves Georgia, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Türkiye, the U.K., Norway, and Saudi Arabia.
- 9 Temples to Heaven: A collaborative effort spanning Thailand, Singapore, France, Norway, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Qatar.
- No Good Men: A co-production of Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, and Afghanistan.
- The Station: A Yemeni-Jordanian-French feature by Sara Ishaq, financed in 2019.
- We Are All Strangers: A Singaporean production by Anthony Chen, funded in 2023.
How the APSA film fund backed "9 Temples to Heaven"
Financial support through the Academy's dedicated film fund is playing a crucial role in bringing these diverse, high-concept projects to life.. For example, the production "9 Temles to Heaven" received funding from the academy back in 2021. This financial backing allows filmmakers to pool resources from multiple nations to achieve higher production values that might be impossible through single-nation funding.
The academy's financial influence is evident across several recent nominees:
The academy is continuing this support by accepting new film fund submissions until September 25, signaling a long-term commitment to regional cinematic development.
The mystery of the ungendered performance category
While the slate is expansive, several details regarding the specific nominees and the upcoming forum remain unverified. The academy has announced an "ungendered best performance" category , yet the current reporting does not specify which actors are vying for this unique award or how the judging criteria will be applied to ensure fairness across different performance styles.
Furthermore,while the academy highlights its role in cross-border collaboration, it remains unclear how much of this international momentum is driven by the APSA film fund versus organic industry shifts. As the Asia Pacific Screen Forum approaches on October 28, industry professionals will be looking for more clarity on how these international partnerships are financed and distributed.
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