Korea’s ‘Exhuma’ & Hong Kong’s ‘Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In’ Lead Asian Film Awards Nominations; Sammo Hung Appointed As Jury President

Sara Merican

10 January 2025 at 4:32 am·5-min read

South Korea’s Exhuma has topped the field, earning 11 nominations at the 18th Asian Film Awards, followed by Hong Kong’s Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In with nine nominations.

Hong Kong martial arts legend Sammo Hung will serve as the jury president for the awards, which feature a selection of 30 films from 25 countries and regions, competing across 16 categories. The awards ceremony will take place on March 16 in Hong Kong.

More from Deadline

Directed by Jang Jae-hyun, Exhuma gained nominations for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Newcomer, Best Screenplay, Best Original Music, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound.

Adapted from the novel “City of Darkness” by Yuyi, Hong Kong action blockbuster Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In gained nine nominations, including Best Film, Best Supporting Actor, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Original Music, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound.

The other three nominees for Best Film include Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light, Chinese film Black Dog as well as Japanese title Teki Cometh.

Directed by Yoshida Daihachi, Japanese film Teki Cometh received a total of six nominations, including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, among others. The film captures the loneliness and struggles of a retired professor, reflecting on the final chapter of life.

French-Indian-Dutch-Luxembourg co-production All We Imagine As Light also received six nominations. Kapadia, who made history as the first Indian female director to win the Cannes Grand Prix, also personally received nominations for the Best Director and Best Screenplay categories.

“It is my pleasure to serve as the Jury President for the Asian Film Awards,” said Hung. “It is a significant responsibility, and I hope to continue working with my peers to support the development of the Asian film industry.” Hung will lead the jury and collaborate with over 200 voting members to select this year’s award winners.

Wilfred Wong, chairman of the Asian Film Awards Academy, said: “The Asian Film Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements of Asian filmmakers while providing an important platform for cultural exchange and collaboration. As Asian cinema continues to shine internationally, the Academy remains dedicated to promoting its growth and nurturing new talent.”

The full list of nominations can be found below:

BEST FILM

All We Imagine as Light (India, France, Netherlands, Luxembourg)
Black Dog (Mainland China)
Exhuma (South Korea)
Teki Cometh (Japan)
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (Hong Kong)

BEST DIRECTOR

Payal Kapadia, All We Imagine as Light
Guan Hu, Black Dog
Jang Jae-hyun, Exhuma
Rithy Panh, Meeting with Pol Pot
Yoshida Daihachi, Teki Cometh

BEST ACTOR

Eddie Peng, Black Dog
Choi Min-sik, Exhuma
Sean Lau, Papa
Nagatsuka Kyozo, Teki Cometh
Michael Hui, The Last Dance

BEST ACTRESS

Kani Kusruti, All We Imagine as Light
Sylvia Chang, Daughter’s Daughter
Kawai Yuumi, Desert of Namibia
Kim Go-eun, Exhuma
Shahana Goswami, Santosh

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Mitsuishi Ken, All the Long Nights
Ikematsu Sosuke, My Sunshine
Lee Kang-Sheng, Stranger Eyes
Chu Pak Hong, The Last Dance
Philip Ng, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Maggie Li Lin Lin, All Shall Be Well
Divya Prabha, All We Imagine as Light
Lim Ji-yeon, Revolver
Takiuchi Kumi, Teki Cometh
Yang Kuei-Mei, Yen and Ai-Lee

BEST NEW DIRECTOR

Yamanaka Yoko, Desert of Namibia
Sora Neo, Happyend
Dong Zijian, My Friend An Delie
Sandhya Suri, Santosh
Truong Minh Quy, Viet and Nam

BEST NEWCOMER

Lee Do-hyun, Exhuma
Kurihara Hayato, Happyend
Putthipong Assaratanakul, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
Dylan So, Papa
Duy Bao Dinh Dao, Viet and Nam

BEST SCREENPLAY

Wada Kiyoto, Miyake Sho, All the Long Nights
Payal Kapadia, All We Imagine as Light
Jang Jae-hyun, Exhuma
Pierre Erwan Guillaume, Rithy Panh, Meeting with Pol Pot
Mohammad Rasoulof, The Seed of the Sacred Fig

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Yang Donglin, A Tapestry of a Legendary Land
Choi Yoon-sun, Exhuma
Dorjee Dradhul Gurung, Shambhala
Miyamoto Mari, Teki Cometh
Bruce Yu, Karen Yip, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Huo Tingxiao, Li Chang, Black Dog
Pham Phong Lan, Don’t Cry, Butterfly
Seo Sung-kyung, Exhuma
Hayashida Yuji, The Box Man
Kenneth Mak, Chau Sai Hung Ambrose, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

BEST EDITING

Clément Pinteaux, All We Imagine as Light
Rithy Panh, Matthieu Laclau, Meeting with Pol Pot
William Chang Suk Ping, My Friend An Delie
Jojo Shek, Papa
Cheung Ka Fai, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Hong Kyeong-pyo, Harbin
Lv Songye, My Friend An Delie
Aziz Zhambakiyev, Shambhala
Shinomiya Hidetoshi, Teki Cometh
Cheng Siu Keung, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC

Hi’Spec, All the Long Nights
Kim Tae-sung, Exhuma
Katsumoto Michiaki, The Box Man
Chu Wan Pin, The Last Dance
Kawai Kenji, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Danny Yin, Black Dog
Sato Fumiro, Kobari Yasuhiro, Black Ox
Tomi Kuo, Chiu Chun-Yi, Dead Talents Society
Kim Shin-chul, Daniel Son, Exhuma
Lin Chun Yue Jules, Ma Siu Fu, Garrett K Lam, Yee Kwok Leung, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

BEST SOUND

Zurab Kurmanbayev, Cadet
Kim Byung-in, Exhuma
Tu Duu-Chih, Tu Tse-Kang, Stranger Eyes
Yiu Chun Hin, Cheung Man Hoi, To Burnard Davy, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In
Vincent Villa, Viet and Nam

Best of Deadline

BuzzFeed
“A Little Bonus”: Brooke Shields Just Detailed The Horrifying Moment A Surgeon Proudly Told Her He’d Given Her A Vaginal Rejuvenation Without Her Consent
Brooke recalled the doctor proudly revealing that he’d given her “a little bonus” after she underwent surgery for something else.
Entertainment Weekly
Watch Jamie Lee Curtis recreate her iconic “Perfect” aerobics scene: 'A lot of thrusting'
The actress teamed up with Jimmy Fallon to show off her legendary hip-thrusting moves almost 40 years later on "The Tonight Show."
Yahoo Finance AU
Dick Smith rips into Meta over 'unacceptable' Albanese scam: 'Under the board'
The businessman said it's a step too far and wants action done before Aussies lose their life savings.
BuzzFeed
"I Ditched Doing This Years Ago": People Are Revealing The "Appalling" Habits And Behaviors They Will No Longer Accept Now That They're Older
"I’m done trying to understand this."
Hello!
Penny Lancaster shares devastating post as she marks husband Rod Stewart's milestone birthday
Penny Lancaster was a big of mixed emotions on Friday as although the television presenter was busy celebrating her husband Rod Stewart's milestone birthday she was also conscious of the wildfires raging across Los Angeles
HuffPost UK
Hugh Grant Names The 1 Film Of His That His Wife Is 'Banned' From Watching
"Everyone involved with that film, with the exception of me, was brilliant and talented," the Golden Globe winner insisted. "It was just me that let it down."
Hello!
Romeo Beckham reveals ultra-romantic tribute to new girlfriend Kim - and David Beckham would approve
Romeo Beckham has jetted off on a romantic holiday with his new girlfriend Kim Turnball. See details.
Parade
Halle Berry Fans Flood Her With Prayers as Actress Shares Gut-Wrenching Photos From 'Uncontained' Palisades Fire
'Please stay safe,' the 'Monster's Ball' star cautioned.
Cosmo
Only Anitta would wear a bikini with snow boots to go skiing
Anitta shared pics on IG from her ski holiday in Verbier, Switzerland that included a look at her unusual winter attire of a tiny black bikini and snow boots.
HuffPost
Khloé Kardashian And Scott Disick Address Rumors They 'Hooked Up'
The pair finally answered the question fans have been asking for years.
PA Media: Entertainment
Mel Gibson: My home of over a decade burned down during Joe Rogan podcast
The Mad Max star described the loss as ’emotional’ and ‘devastating’.
WWD
Mikey Madison Takes on Burgundy Trend in Plunging Dress on ‘Jimmy Fallon’
The breakout star opened up about her Golden Globe-nominated role in "Anora."
The Independent
Denise Richards open up about sexual assault at 15: ‘I froze’
The actor subsequently left the Fox competition show after the second episode
HuffPost UK
'I'm Going To Die': Ariana Grande Loses It Over Meeting Nicole Kidman For The First Time
The Wicked star didn't exactly play it cool after crossing paths with the A-list actor for the first time.
BuzzFeed
31 Smart Vs. Sloppy Movie Moments That Prove Hollywood Is Really Just All Over The Place
Nope (2022) might be one of the smartest movies of all time.
The Independent
Marie Osmond pays tribute to ‘loving brother’ Wayne as she confirms cause of death
Singer who sold millions of records with his family band The Osmonds died aged 73 last week
The Independent
Mandy Moore has blunt response to GoFundMe backlash after losing home in LA fire
The musician and actor instructed critics to: ‘Kindly F Off’
Entertainment Weekly
James Woods breaks down crying on air after his home burns down in L.A. wildfires: 'It was like an inferno'
"One day you’re swimming in the pool and the next day it’s all gone," lamented the "Vampires" actor.
Yahoo Lifestyle
Prince William's touching message to Kate Middleton with never-seen-before photo: 'So proud'
In honour of Kate Middleton's 43rd birthday, William has taken to Instagram with an uncharacteristically personal message for his wife.
Entertainment Weekly
“RuPaul's Drag Race” season 17's Kori King thinks sister Plane Jane 'wasn't that mean' on show: 'She's meaner in real life'
Kori tells EW she's the "child of God" of the season — and teases a potential hookup with a season 17 sister.

Latest stories