{"id":34578,"date":"2026-06-17T22:29:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T02:29:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/?p=34578"},"modified":"2026-06-17T22:29:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T02:29:25","slug":"flc-and-new-york-asian-film-festival-unveil-second-wave-of-festival-titles-the-uncaged-award-competition-and-two-special-award-honorees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/?p=34578","title":{"rendered":"FLC and New York Asian Film Festival Unveil Second Wave of Festival Titles, The Uncaged Award Competition, and Two Special Award Honorees"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9Courtesy of The New York Asian Film Festival<\/p>\n

The New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) and Film at Lincoln Center today unveil the second wave of programming for its landmark 25th edition, adding more than 40 films to an already wide-ranging lineup, with very special final titles still to come. Running from July 10 to July 26 across five New York venues, including\u00a0Film at Lincoln Center<\/b>,\u00a0SVA Theatre<\/b>,\u00a0IFC Center<\/b>,\u00a0Anthology Film Archives<\/b>, and the\u00a0Korean Cultural Center New York<\/b>, NYAFF 2026 marks a major milestone for North America\u2019s leading festival of Asian cinema.<\/p>\n

Since 2002, NYAFF has grown from a grassroots festival built by passionate fans of Asian cinema into an essential platform for Asian film culture in North America. Over the past 25 years, the festival has introduced audiences to filmmakers who would go on to become some of the industry\u2019s most celebrated voices, while continuing to spotlight new talent and exciting discoveries from across the continent. The 25th edition celebrates a quarter century of NYAFF\u2019s continued mission to bring Asian cinema and its artists to New York audiences with some spectacular announcements.<\/p>\n

Following last week\u2019s\u00a0first wave announcement<\/span><\/a>, this second reveal brings together the festival\u2019s signature Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film competition, a new slate of feature titles from across the region, and an expanded roster of award honorees led by some of the biggest names in Asian cinema.<\/p>\n

Korean icon\u00a0Gianna Jun<\/b>, whose star-making turns in film and television have made her one of Asia\u2019s most beloved performers, will receive the\u00a0Extraordinary Star Asia Award<\/b>. Hong Kong actor, director, and producer\u00a0Daniel Wu<\/b>, a defining presence in Asian cinema whose influence extends across both Eastern and Western screens, will be honored with the\u00a0Best from the East Award<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Gianna Jun<\/b>\u00a0will be on hand for the North American premiere of director Yeon Sang-ho\u2019s Korean box-office hit and opening night film\u00a0Colony<\/i>. One of Asia\u2019s most beloved and influential stars, Jun has captivated audiences for more than two decades through iconic roles in\u00a0My Sassy Girl<\/i>,\u00a0The Thieves<\/i>, and\u00a0My Love from the Star<\/i>. In celebration of her award, NYAFF will also present a new 4K restoration of the romantic-comedy classic\u00a0My Sassy Girl<\/i>, the film that launched Jun to international stardom and remains one of the most beloved Korean films of all time.<\/p>\n

Hong Kong actor, director, and producer\u00a0Daniel Wu<\/b>\u00a0will be honored with the Best from the East Award. One of the defining stars of modern Hong Kong cinema, Wu rose to prominence through acclaimed films including\u00a0Gen-X Cops<\/i>,\u00a0New Police Story<\/i>, and\u00a0Prot\u00e9g\u00e9<\/i>, building a career that has spanned action blockbusters, crime dramas, and beloved series such as\u00a0Into the Badlands<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0American Born Chinese<\/i>. At NYAFF, Wu returns to Hong Kong cinema after a six-year absence with\u00a0Cold War 1994<\/i>, one of the most ambitious and expensive Hong Kong productions in recent memory.<\/p>\n

Joining them is Taiwanese actor\u00a0Joseph Chang<\/b>, recipient of the\u00a0Screen International Star Asia Award<\/b>. Known for acclaimed performances in films including\u00a0Eternal Summer<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0Soul Mate<\/i>, Chang has spent two decades building a career that has made him one of Taiwan\u2019s most recognizable screen talents. He will attend NYAFF with his latest feature,\u00a0Deep Quiet Room.<\/i><\/p>\n

Additional festival guest highlights include Filipino actor, singer, and producer\u00a0Piolo Pascual<\/b>\u00a0(Manila\u2019s Finest<\/i>) and Thai actors\u00a0Prapamonton Eiamchan\u00a0<\/b>(Human Resources<\/i>),\u00a0Mario Maurer\u00a0<\/b>(4 Tigers<\/i>), and\u00a0James Jirayu Tangsrisuk\u00a0<\/b>(Tha Rae: The Exorcist<\/i>).<\/p>\n

The latest wave of titles showcases some exciting voices of contemporary Asian cinema. Hong Kong\u2019s next generation of filmmakers takes center stage with two distinctive comedies. Celebrated screenwriter Mak Tin Shu makes his feature directorial debut with the acclaimed dark comedy\u00a0Dog Day Evening<\/i>, while directors Kwok Ka-hei and Jack Lee bring their cult hit\u00a0Unidentified Murder<\/i>\u00a0to NYAFF. Japan is represented by the international premiere of the period drama\u00a0Samurai Vengeance<\/i>, starring Tasuku Emoto, alongside the award-winning drama\u00a0Fujiko<\/i>, an Uncaged Award nominee. And from Thailand, NYAFF will present the world premiere of the genre-bending thriller\u00a0Someone Special<\/i>.<\/p>\n

South Korea is represented by the North American premiere of\u00a0Frosted Window<\/i>, director Kim Jong-kwan\u2019s poignant anthology drama set in Seoul\u2019s Seochon neighborhood, with the filmmaker in attendance, as well as the international premiere of Lee Won-suk\u2019s vertical drama\u00a0Lovely Death<\/i>. From Taiwan comes the North American premiere of the romance\u00a0Kiss Me My Ghost Friend<\/i>\u00a0and the U.S. premiere of\u00a0Last Night in Taipei<\/i>, a warm ensemble drama following a group of friends as they spend one unforgettable night wandering through the city together.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s edition also introduces the festival\u2019s first-ever\u00a0Spotlight on Vietnam<\/b>, alongside returning sidebar programs including\u00a0Queer Unbound<\/b>,\u00a0Horrorscope<\/b>, and the popular\u00a0Secret Screening at Anthology Film Archives<\/b>. In honor of NYAFF\u2019s 25th anniversary, the festival will launch 25th Anniversary Rediscoveries, a special series revisiting classic, iconic, and cult favorites from 2001, the year NYAFF began.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film Competition<\/b>\u00a0is NYAFF\u2019s signature section dedicated to bold new voices and filmmakers pushing cinema in unexpected directions. This year\u2019s eight nominees span the region and include emerging talents, acclaimed auteurs, and feature directorial debuts:<\/p>\n<\/ins>\n

The 2026\u00a0Uncaged Award nominees<\/b>\u00a0are:<\/p>\n