The 18th Asian Film Awards Dean FUJIOKA takes the lead as Ambassadorjoined by Four Youth Ambassadors Aokbab Chutimon, Austin LIN,LO Chun Yip, and OKADA Masaki!
Hong Kong/Tokyo (January 6, 2025)
The Asian Film Awards Academy (Academy or AFAA) has announced that it
will welcome for the first time in Asian Film Awards’ (AFA) history five individuals as the faces of AFA: the AFA Ambassador and four Youth Ambassadors from different Asian regions. Actor Dean FUJIOKA will serve as the AFA Ambassador, making him the first actor to take on this role. Additionally, OKADA Masaki will be a Youth Ambassador, alongside Aokbab Chutimon (Thailand), Austin LIN (Taiwan) and LO Chun Yip (Hong Kong).
The five shining stars, from different regions across Asia, bring unique cultural backgrounds, acting experiences and styles, embodying this year's theme, 'Empowering Ideas Together.' They will attend the AFA ceremony and side
events, meeting cinephiles to promote the rich culture of Asian cinema.
AFA Ambassador Dean Fujioka began his career as a model in Hong Kong and made his acting debut with the lead role in the film August Story (2005). He then moved to Taiwan and gained early recognition across Asia with starring in Taiwanese dramas, including “Corner with Love” and “Miss No Good,” as well as numerous films and dramas. In 2011, he expanded his career to Japan, where he earned widespread acclaim for his performance in NHK’s “Sunshiny Asa/Asa ga Kita” (2015-2016), receiving him several awards. Beyond acting, Fujioka has manifested his all-round talent as a musician, releasing solo albums and performing theme songs for film and television projects, demonstrating his broad and global talents around the world.
Fujioka commented, “I am honored to serve as the Ambassador for the 18th Asian Film Awards. Hong Kong is where I made my debut as an actor and the place where my career started. I hope to work together with everyone to make Asian cinema shine even brighter.”
One of the Youth Ambassadors, Okada Masaki, has been active in numerous television and film projects since his debut in 2006. He gained early recognition with his first leading role in the film Honokaa Boy (2009), earning
multiple Best New Actor awards in Japan, including the Japan Academy Film Prize. The following year, in 2010, his striking performances in Villain and Confessions demonstrated his ability to master contrasting characters, leaving
a lasting impression on audiences. Since then, he has appeared in many acclaimed works, including the popular TV drama series “Legal High,” garnering fans across Asia. He has also thrived in theater, proving his dynamic talent across various platforms. In recent years, his film Gold Boy (2023) had its world premiere in the Gala Selection of the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). Additionally, he participated in the 16th AFA as one of the nominees for Best Supporting Actor in Drive My Car (directed by Hamaguchi Ryusuke), which won Best Film, and will return to the AFA stage again as the Youth Ambassador this year. Okada is a celebrated actor whose work continues to attract attention not only in Asia but also globally.
Okada commented, “It is a great honor to be chosen as the Youth Ambassador for the 18th Asian Film Awards. I am very happy to be part of this prestigious event, which brings together so many distinguished figures from the film industry.”
This year’s Youth Ambassadors include Aokbab Chutimon from Thailand, who starred in the hit film Bad Genius, widely popular worldwide, and won the Best Newcomer Award at the 12th AFA. Austin Lin from Taiwan, who received the Best Supporting Actor honor at the 53rd Golden Horse Awards for At Café 6, is also acting as Youth Ambassador. Lo Chun Yip from Hong Kong, who appeared in Time Still Turns the Pages, which screened in the World Focus section of the 36th TIFF and was nominated for Best Actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards, joins this lineup of rising stars whose talents are drawing significant attention.
Here comes the annual tribute to the achievements of the thriving Asian cinematic scene. Organisedby the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) founded by the Busan, Hong Kong, and Tokyo International Film Festivals, and supported by Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, the 18th Asian Film Awards (AFA18) will be held in Hong Kong for a spectacular celebration!
This year, the AFAA has appointed Dean FUJIOKA(Japan) of Fullmetal Alchemistas the Ambassador of AFA18, along side four emerging Asian stars as Youth Ambassadors (in alphabetical order by last name):Aokbab Chutimon(Thailand) of Bad Genius,Austin LIN(Taiwan) of Marry My Dead Body,LO Chun Yip(Hong Kong) of Time Still Turns the Pages, and OKADA Masaki(Japan) of Drive My Car.
The five shining stars, from different regions across Asia, bring unique cultural backgrounds, acting experiences, and styles, embodying this year’s theme,‘Empowering Ideas Together’.They will attend the AFA ceremony and side events, meeting cinephiles to promote the rich culture of Asian cinema.The Ambassador and the four Youth Ambassadors for the 18th Asian Film Awards shared their thoughts and feelings about taking on these roles.
FUJIOKA says,“I am honoured to be the ambassador for the 18th Asian Film Awards. Hong Kong iswhere I made my debut as an actor and the place where my career started. I hope to work togetherwith everyone to make Asian cinema shine even brighter.”
Chutimon says,“I am very delighted to be the Youth Ambassador of the 18th Asian Film Awards. I can not wait to see you all in Hong Kong. Happy New Year!”
LIN says,“Thank you to the Asian Film Awards for providing us with the opportunity to connect with filmmakers around the world and appreciate many incredible films. I am really looking forward to it!”
LO says,“It is my pleasure to be the Youth Ambassador for the18th Asian Film Awards together withother amazing actors and actresses. I have been following their work closely and can’t wait to meet everyone in March!”
OKADA says,“It is a great honour to be chosen as the Youth Ambassador for the 18th Asian Film Awards. I am very happy to be part of this prestigious event, which brings together so many distinguished figures from the film industry.”
Introduction to the Ambassador of theAFA18
Dean FUJIOKA (Japan):Winner of Best Actor at the 12th Confidence Drama Awards for Monte Cristo:A Beautiful Revenge, where he portrayed a multi-faceted character, FUJIOKA gained early recognition across Asia with starring roles in Taiwanese dramas such as Corner with Love and Miss No Good. In 2012, he earned widespread acclaim for his performance in NHK’s Asa ga Kita, receiving the Special Award at the 88th Television Drama Academy Awards. Recently, he starred in the second season ofthe web drama The Victims’Game. Beyond acting, FUJIOKA has demonstrated his all-round talent as a musician, releasing solo albums and composing theme songs for film and television projects.
Introduction to the Youth Ambassadors of theAFA18
Aokbab Chutimon(Thailand):Winner of Best Actress at the International Emmy Awards for Hunger, Chutimon made her acting debut in the record-breaking global hit Bad Geniusin 2017, earning multiple newcomer accolades from the Asian Film Awards, New York Asian Film Festival, and Asia Pacific Film Festival. Starting as a model at 15, she quickly rose as one of Thailand’s brightest new talents, proving her immense potential indelivering compelling performances across genres,including the romance drama Happy Old Year and the China-Hong Kong-Thailand co-production One for the Road.
Austin LIN (Taiwan):Nominated twice for Best Actor at the 57th and 60th Golden Horse Awards forI Weir D Oand Marry My Dead Body, LIN gained attention with his debut film Somewhere I Have Never Travelled, earning nominations for Best Actor and Best New Talent at the 11th Taipei Film Awards. He later won Best Supporting Actor at the 53rd Golden Horse Awards for At Café 6. As one of Taiwan’s top up-and-coming actors, he has showcased exceptional versatility in portraying complex roles, with standout performances in the firefighter series Tears on Fire and the romance series At the Moment. In 2024, he starred in the Korean film Tristes Tropiques, marking his debut in Korean cinema.
LO Chun Yip (Hong Kong):Nominated for Best Actor at the 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards for Time Still Turns the Pages, LO delivered a heart felt portrayal of a high school teacher confronting his traumatic childhood. After graduating from School of Creative Media,he debuted in 2011 and appeared in a range of TVseries and films, including the Hong Kong-Japan-Korea co-production The Murders of Oisoand Fagara. His performance in Suk Suk earned a Best Supporting Actor nominationat the 39th Hong Kong Film Awards. His latest film, Montages of a Modern Motherhood, premiered at the Busan and Tokyo International Film Festivals and will be screened in 2025.
OKADA Masaki (Japan):Nominated for the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Supporting Actor, OKADA’s striking performances in Villainand Confessions showcased his ability to master contrasting characters, leaving a lasting impression on audiences. He earned multiple new comer awards for his first leading role in Honokaa Boy, including the Japan Academy Film Prize and Blue Ribbon Awards. In 2021, he starred in the acclaimed Drive My Car, which won Best Film at the 16th Asian Film Awards and Best International Feature at the 94th Academy Awards, establishing himself as a talented and versatile actor.
The Revelation of Official Key Visualfor the 18th Asian Film Awards
The AFAA also announced the official key visual design for this year’s AFA, featuring the theme 'Empowering Ideas Together.' This theme highlights the unity and collaborative spirit of Asian filmmakers, as they come together to shape a dynamic and thriving future for the film industry.
The nominees and Jury President of the 18th AFA will be announced on January 10. Stay tuned to the AFAA’s official website and social media platforms for the latest updates and to see what our AFA Ambassador and four Youth Ambassadors are up to!
The 18th Asian Film Awards Nominations and Jury President Announcement
Date and Time: 3:00 PM (Japan Time) on January 10, 2025 (Friday)
Live: Asian Film Awards Academy YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/@AsianFilmAwardsAcademy)
Asian Film Awards (AFA)
The Asian Film Awards has been held for 17 years, featuring distinguished awards such as Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor/Actress. The voting panel, composed of nominees and winners from previous years, participates
annually in selecting the winners across all categories for the Asian Film Awards. Panel members also have the opportunity to attend events organised by the Academy across Asia and worldwide, engaging with industry professionals and audiences.
Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA)
Asian Film Awards Academy is a non-profit organisation founded by Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo International Film Festivals with the shared goal of celebrating excellence in Asian cinema. In addition to the annual Asian Film Awards, the Academy hosts year-round events and programmes with the objectives to promote Asian films to a broader audience, expand the film market within Asia, and foster connections among film professionals in Hong Kong and beyond.
Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF)
The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) started in 1985 as Japan’s first major film festival and the only Japanese film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). Since then, TIFF has grown to become one of the leading film festivals in Asia. Every year for ten days, filmmakers and film fans of all ages gather in Tokyo to enjoy outstanding films from around the world and TIFF’s many colorful events. These include TIFFCOM, the affiliated market of TIFF, seminars for students, professionals and businesspeople, and symposia and workshops for networking, uniting the world’s film industries, developing international co-productions, and promoting the global film business.
http://tiff-jp.net