Asia Pacific Screen Awards

18th ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

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

Australia’s Gold Coast: 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.

18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards
27 November 2025
The Langham, Gold Coast
Australia 

The magic begins with a glittering red-carpet event, where nominated filmmakers, industry luminaries, and distinguished guests arrive in elegance and anticipation. As flash bulbs capture moments that will become history, the excitement builds toward the main event. The red carpet seamlessly flows into the formal ceremony in the magnificent Diamond Ballroom—an evening of pure cinematic celebration where the year’s most exceptional achievements in Asia Pacific filmmaking are honoured.

From intimate character studies to epic adventures, from groundbreaking documentaries to innovative animations, each award recognises the power of storytelling that transcends borders. Following the ceremony, guests retire to the Diamond Foyer for an exclusive celebration featuring exquisite dessert stations. This sophisticated gathering allows the magic to continue as winners, nominees, and industry professionals toast the evening’s achievements and the bright future of regional cinema.

17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards – Ceremony Highlights 

Established in 2007, the Asia Pacific Screen Awards are the region’s highest accolade in film where cinematic excellence shines. With films from 78 countries and areas in the region, APSA honours filmmaking that best reflects its cultural origins and the diversity of the Asia Pacific.

APSA is an international cultural program presented by the Asia Pacific Screen Academy. It was established in consultation with Paris-based UNESCO and FIAPF-International Federation of Film Producers Associations. APSA embraces the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions which ensures that artists, cultural practitioners and citizens worldwide have the right to cultural practice and preservation.

Now in its second decade, APSA has solidified itself as a globally-recognised event that is a defining part of the international film calendar. Over 3000 films have featured in competition and while they cover varied genres, styles and scope, they have all been united by their diversity. Each film tells its own unique story in its own way, from its own country of origin.

APSA’s reach goes beyond just simply giving out awards. APSA brings people together from all over the world, fostering international relationships and cultural awareness that has led to powerful ties and prosperous friendships between artists that could not have been achieved outside of APSA.

APSA continues to unearth the rich stories of the region and open doors and unique opportunities for those in the film industry. APSA has drawn the entire world’s attention to the Asia Pacific’s inherent cinematic diversity and is recognised internationally for the way it unites and inspires.

The global film industry has become more connected and spread more widely through co-productions, streaming and new funding methods like crowd-funding. APSA’s international reach continues to grow and is now an essential part of the international film community.

APSA AIMS TO:

• Acclaim filmmaking in the Asia Pacific region that best reflects its culture, origins and cinematic excellence
• Award and honour the people behind this excellence
• Promote this outstanding work in film to a global audience in order to broaden the market appeal of such works
• Encourage collaboration between filmmakers in the region and around the world
• Develop, through film, greater understanding of the region’s various cultures
• Take the creativity of our neighbouring cultures in the vast Asia Pacific region to the world