This year’s New York Asian Film Festival wrapped its 25th edition on Sunday, July 26. As North America’s leading festival of Asian cinema, NYAFF concluded its 17-day run with a Closing Night event at the SVA Theatre.
Photographed by Aqua Hsu @aquaaami
Tokyo born filmmaker Taichi Kimura took home the Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film for directing Fujiko. The film was praised for its ability to fully embrace the expressive power of cinema. Adilkhan Yerzhanov received a Special Jury Mention in this category for his film Turgaud, and was praised for its bold visual storytelling, exhilarating writing, and mesmerizing performances.
The South Korean film director and screenwriter Chung Ji-young was awarded the NYAFF 2026 Audience Award for directing My Name (내 이름은). This film intimately explores themes of identity, shame, and remembrance of personal trauma.
Photographed by Aqua Hsu @aquaaami
Lan Hongchun’s Dear You (给阿嬷的情书) was recognized as the runner-up for the Audience Award. Hongchun’s film follows a young man in search of his long-lost grandfather. The second runner-up for this category was Xiaodan He’s Montreal, My Beautiful (Montréal, ma belle), a moving story following the midlife awakening of NYAFF Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Joan Chen.
Correct Me If I’m Wrong, directed by Hao Zhou, was awarded Best Short Film for its honest and vulnerable filmmaking approach. Zhou explores the generational trauma shaped by modern China’s social policies, as well as themes of homophobia and family conflict.
Photographed by Caroline Sun @caroline
The Best Short Film category also recognized two Special Jury Mentions. Paper Daughter, directed by Cami Kwan, was honored for its exceptional artistic achievements. Si Shui (Still Water), directed by Yijian Shan, was recognized for its intimate portrayl of grief during a defining moment in modern Chinese history.
Other notable honors presented throughout the 17-day festival included:
Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award – Joan Chen
Extraordinary Star Asia Award – Gianna Jun
Star Asia Award – Joseph Chang
Best From the East Award – Daniel Wu
Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema – Na Hong-jin
Screen International Rising Star Award – Angela Yuen and Sara Minami
