Asia Pacific Screen Awards Unveils Leading Nominees for 2023 Ceremony

The Asia Pacific Screen Academy has announced the nominees for the 19th Asia Pacific Screen Awards, with Hamaguchi Ryusuke's film "All of a Sudden" and Abinash Bikram Shah's "Elephants in the Fog" both leading the pack with three nominations each. The ceremony, set to take place in Australia on October 30, highlights a diverse selection of films from 32 countries and regions.

Both films are in contention for the prestigious best film award, alongside Shahrbanoo Sadat’s "No Good Men," Levan Koguashvili’s "Guria," and Sompot Chidgasornpongse’s "9 Temples to Heaven." In the race for best director, Hamaguchi and Shah will face competition from Sompot Chidgasornpongse, Aung Phyoe for "Fruit Gathering," and Jennifer Peedom for "Tenzing." This year's nominations reflect a trend of emerging directors, with 69% of those nominated for directing their first or second feature.

The awards also celebrate collaborative efforts in filmmaking, as noted by Tracey Vieira, chair of the Asia Pacific Screen Academy. She remarked on the impressive cross-border partnerships that have characterized many of this year's nominated projects, showcasing a global spirit in storytelling. The awards will be preceded by the Asia Pacific Screen Forum, which will feature discussions on industry topics such as financing and distribution.

Source: variety.com