The 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) celebrated the diverse and burgeoning filmmaking talent across 78 countries and areas, representing 4.5 billion people and half of the world’s film production. The prestigious ceremony, held at The Langham Hotel on Australia’s Gold Coast and supported by major partner Jewel Gold Coast, recognized excellence from 24 countries and regions. This year's edition underscored a powerful rise of emerging filmmakers, whose bold and authentic storytelling offered one of the most diverse collections of perspectives ever showcased by APSA, as highlighted by APSA Chair Tracey Vieira.

Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi achieved significant recognition, claiming dual honors for his Cannes Palme d’Or-winning film “It Was Just an Accident” (Un simple accident). Panahi received both the Best Film and Best Director awards for the co-production spanning the Islamic Republic of Iran, France, and Luxembourg. The Jury Grand Prize was awarded to Japanese filmmaker Fujimoto Akio for “Lost Land” (Harà Watan), a poignant co-production among Japan, France, Malaysia, and Germany, produced by Kazutaka Watanabe, praised for its compelling portrayal of displaced Rohingya children confronting uncertain futures.

Further highlighting the breadth of regional cinema, Singaporean filmmaker Tan Siyou and producer Fran Borgia won the Best Youth Film award for “Amoeba,” an international co-production involving Singapore, Netherlands, France, Spain, and the Republic of Korea. The Best Animated Film award went to Korean director Kim Bo-sol for “The Square,” produced by Park So-hye and Kim Bo-sol. In the documentary categories, Sepideh Farsi’s “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk” (France/Palestine), produced by Javad Djavahery, secured the Best Documentary Film award for its immersive first-hand perspective from Gaza. Deming Chen’s “Always”—a USA, France, People’s Republic of China, and Taiwan co-production exploring themes of boyhood and memory in rural China—received a special mention from the documentary jury.

Individual artistic achievements were equally celebrated. Japan’s Chie Hayakawa earned the Best Screenplay award for “Renoir,” a multi-national collaboration involving Japan, France, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, and Qatar. The film also saw rising star Yui Suzuki recognized as Best New Performer. Hong Kong actor Sean Lau received the Best Performance award for his powerful portrayal of a father navigating profound grief and love in “Papa.” Indonesian cinematographer Batara Goempar was honored with the Best Cinematography award for his work on “Samsara,” with Gold Coast actor Juliet Widyasari Burnett accepting the award on his behalf.

Beyond the main competitive categories, several special awards recognized outstanding contributions and emerging talents. Kyrgyz filmmaker Aktan Arym Kubat received the Cultural Diversity Award for “Black Red Yellow,” which he directed and produced. India’s Rohan Parashuram Kanawade was honored with the Young Cinema Award (in partnership with NETPAC) for “Cactus Pears” (Sabar Bonda), a co-production from India, the U.K., and Canada that had also previously won the top prize at Sundance. The newly introduced Forum Filmmaker Award, presented in partnership with The Post Lounge Group, went to Prabhath Gurung for “Son of a Honey Hunter,” recognizing his remarkable creative growth during the 7th Asia Pacific Screen Forum. Australian producer Greer Simpkin was presented with the FIAPF Award for her outstanding contribution to film in the Asia Pacific region.

The ceremony also announced the four recipients of the 2025 MPA APSA Academy Film Fund grants, aimed at supporting the development of promising new projects in the region. The recipients included:
• Academy Member Anocha Suwichakornpong (Thailand) for “Fiction”
• Director Kareem Abeed (Syria) for “Where Is My Father”
• Indonesian director Yosep Anggi Noen and producer Gita Fara for “The Sea Speaks His Name”
• Director Thien An Pham and Jeremy Chua (Vietnam) for “Heaven in a Wildflower”

All nominees, members of the nominations council, and jury members are invited to join the esteemed APSA Academy, presided over by Australian screen legend Jack Thompson. The academy is projected to expand to over 1,725 regional filmmakers in 2025, fostering a robust and vibrant professional network. The 18th APSA jury was chaired by Hong Kong curator Kiki Fung, alongside Ngo Thi Bich Hanh of Vietnam and Schuyler Weiss of Australia.

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards and its Academy continue to be supported by major partners including Screen Queensland, Screen Australia, City of Gold Coast, MPA, and The Post Lounge Group, all working collaboratively to elevate the rich cinematic landscape of the Asia Pacific region.