The Asian Film Awards (AFA) will celebrate excellence in Asian cinema in a gala award ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 17 March 2008. As one of the largest and most prestigious film awards in Asia, this year’s edition will bestow two honorary trophies – the AFA “Lifetime Achievement Award” and the “Edward Yang New Talent Award” to recognize filmmakers who have made outstanding contributions to cinema, and exhibited exceptional gift in cinema, respectively.
The 2008 recipient of the AFA Lifetime Achievement Award is the prolific Japanese master, Yoji Yamada. In addition to opening the 32nd HKIFF with his 80th film, Kabei – Our Mother, this occasion also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the birth of ‘Tora-san’, the character he famously created in the It’s Tough Being a Man series. Yamada especially selected the classic Tora-san’s Sunrise and Sunset to be shown alongside 19 other 2008 AFA nominees, including the Hong Kong premiere of The Sun Also Rises’s international version, in the 32nd HKIFF. See below for a full list of the 19 films.
Also hailing from Japan, fledgling director Ishii Yuya will receive the inaugural Edward Yang New Talent Award. Ishii has won rave reviews for his candid style, acute characterization, as well as rich visual and acoustic compositions, injecting a refreshing voice into Asian cinema. AFA is honored to have Yang’s widow, famed pianist Kaili Peng and their young son, Sean, present this special distinction to Ishii in person.
The establishment of the Edward Yang New Talent Award not only aims to continue the late Taiwanese director’s legacy of nurturing young filmmakers but also to once again acknowledge Yang’s illustrious artistic accomplishments. At the same time, the award will enhance the significance of AFA, making it a truly world-class film awards event.
