- All We Imagine as Light wins Best Picture, marking a major win for Indian cinema.
- Shahana Goswami and Sandhya Suri triumph with Santosh, adding to India’s accolades.
- Honors were evenly spread, with Exhuma, Stranger Eyes, and Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In securing multiple wins.
Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light continued its winning streak by claiming the top honor at the 18th Asian Film Awards.
Meanwhile, Santosh emerged as another big winner, with Shahana Goswami securing Best Actress and Sandhya Suri taking home the Best New Director award.
Asian Film Awards 2025: A Celebration of Diverse Talent
The Asian Film Awards saw a diverse spread of honors, highlighting talent from across the region. Yoshida Daihachi won Best Director for Teki Cometh, a character-driven drama that dominated the Tokyo International Film Festival. Hong Kong’s Sean Lau won Best Actor for Papa, expressing his pride in representing his home industry.
Veteran Taiwanese actor Lee Kang-sheng won Best Supporting Actor for Stranger Eyes, adding another milestone to his decorated career. The film also claimed the Best Editing award, showcasing its technical brilliance. In a more lighthearted moment, Lee joked about transitioning from lead to supporting roles as he gets older.
Another highlight was Japanese rising star Koki, who received the Rising Star Award. Coming from an entertainment powerhouse family, she has quickly carved her own space in the industry. Her growing international profile, including a new project based in Hong Kong, signals a promising future.
The event was further elevated by a special musical performance from Ne Zha 2 composer Chu Wan Pin and Jonathan Wong, setting an electrifying tone for the evening. With such a broad distribution of awards, the night underscored the vibrancy of Asian cinema and its evolving global presence.
The 18th Asian Film Awards proved to be a milestone event, celebrating both emerging and established talents. With Indian cinema making a strong impact and honors spread across various regions, the ceremony reinforced the richness of storytelling in Asia.
“I’d also like to thank myself… I feel like I’m always under-confident and I never give myself enough credit.” — Shahana Goswami, Best Actress winner for Santosh.
