Shahana Goswami, Al Cossar, Ani Hoo, Tearepa Kahi, Dan Villegas, Kiki Fung, Ngo Thi Bich Hanh, Schuyler Weiss, Yulia Evina Bhara, Akio Fujimoto, Nishtha Jain
Australia’s Gold Coast: The Asia Pacific Screen Academy (APSA) is thrilled to unveil the International Jury members for the 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards presented by major partner Jewel Private Residences, at Australia’s Gold Coast. The Asia Pacific Screen Awards Ceremony is set to take place on Thursday 27th November at The Langham, Gold Coast, on the traditional land of the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region, celebrating cinematic excellence and cultural diversity across the region with notable Australian and international guests gracing the red carpet.
The evening will be a celebration of regional excellence, with international guests including acclaimed Indian actress Shahana Goswami, actress, content creator and ceremony host Shuang Hu, and Indian director, producer, writer and 2025 APSA Nominee Rima Das all walking the red carpet. Also in attendance will be celebrated Australian actor and Asia Pacific Screen Academy President Jack Thompson AM Phd, Australian Director Nick Waterman (How to Make Gravy), Australian musician and screen writer Meg Washington (How to Make Gravy & The Deb), Academy Award–nominated producer from Bazmark Schuyler Weiss and voice of Australian screen Mike Goldman.
This year’s distinguished juries feature filmmakers, producers, and industry leaders from across the Asia Pacific, entrusted with recognising the very best in global storytelling.
INTERNATIONAL JURY
The 2025 International Jury is led by Shahana Goswami (India), a multi-award-winning actress recognised for Rock On!!, Firaaq, A Suitable Boy, Bombay Begums, Zwigato, and Santosh. With over 35 projects across four languages, Goswami brings a global perspective to this year’s Awards. Joining her are Al Cossar (Australia), Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival, a veteran curator with over a decade’s leadership in the festival circuit; Ani Hoo (Singapore), a post-production supervisor and producer renowned for her technical mastery across major studio projects and independent films; Tearepa Kahi (New Zealand), the Māori filmmaker behind Muru (2022 APSA Cultural Diversity Award winner), Poi E: The Story of Our Song, and Mt. Zion; and Dan Villegas (Philippines), acclaimed director and producer behind English Only, Please; Exes Baggage; and Netflix’s Replacing Chef Chico.
YOUTH, ANIMATION, DOCUMENTARY INTERNATIONAL JURY
Founder of Indonesia’s KawanKawan Media Yulia Evina Bhara leads the Youth, Animation, Documentary (YAD) Jury for 2025. Recognised by Variety as one of the International Impactful Women of 2023, Bhara has producing credits including Autobiography, Tiger Stripes, Dreaming & Dying, Renoir and The Fox King. Joining her are Akio Fujimoto (Japan), acclaimed writer-director known for Passage of Life, Along the Sea and Lost Land, celebrated for his empathetic approach to migration and identity, and Nishtha Jain (India), multi-award-winning documentarian behind Farming the Revolution and Gulabi Gang, and honoured with retrospectives worldwide.
MPA APSA ACADEMY FILM FUND JURY
The MPA APSA Academy Film Fund Jury is for the second year under the leadership of Kiki Fung (Hong Kong), Programme Consultant for the Hong Kong International Film Festival and long-serving curator across Brisbane and Asia Pacific screen festivals. Fung is joined by Ngo Thi Bich Hanh (Vietnam), a pioneering figure in Vietnam’s entertainment industry and Vice President of the Vietnam Film Development Association who is credited with introducing global media brands including MTV and Warner Brothers to Vietnamese audiences, and Schuyler Weiss (Australia), Academy Award–nominated producer and Bazmark Managing Director, known for producing Elvis, Faraway Downs, and How to Make Gravy.
QUOTES:
APSA Chair Tracey Vieira said:
“APSA’s 2025 juries showcase the extraordinary depth of talent across the Asia Pacific – from bold new voices to master filmmakers. Their diverse perspectives reinforce APSA as the region’s premier celebration of cinema. We’re also grateful for the support of APSA Academy President Jack Thompson AM PhD, whose involvement highlights the strength of Australia’s creative community on the world stage.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said:
“The Gold Coast has become a creative crossroads for global storytelling and a destination where film magic happens.
“In the past decade, we have evolved to become a place where world-class filmmakers, artists and audiences come together.
“APSA shines a light on the extraordinary diversity of the Asia Pacific, and we’re proud to host this international celebration of cinematic excellence.”
Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said:
“Screen Queensland is proud to support this year’s Asia Pacific Screen Awards and warmly welcomes jury members and filmmakers from across the region.
“APSA continues to celebrate a whole world of filmmaking while also amplifying Queensland’s creative voice on a truly global stage. It’s a privilege to celebrate the diversity of stories that connect and inspire us while showcasing the incredible depth of talent emerging from the Asia Pacific.”
For further information please reach out to the APSA Media Team below:
Amanda Goddard – APSA Media/ Publicity Lead
Cell phone: + 61 405 101 739
Bec Pini – APSA Media/ Publicity Lead
Cell phone: + 61 409 949 400