Asian World Film Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Anna May Wong Tribute, Kicks Off With Korean Drama ‘A Normal Family’ (EXCLUSIVE)

The 10th Asian World Film Festival kicks off Nov. 13 with the critically acclaimed Korean drama “A Normal Family,” while also spotlighting the best in Asian cinema and adding new programs to boost Asian talents and productions. Closing night feature is Filipino romantic drama “Hello, Love, Again.” The festival runs Nov. 13-20 at the Culver Theater in Culver City, while the Directors Guild of America complex plays host to the closing night gala and awards ceremony Nov. 21.

“We have chosen ‘heritage’ as this year’s theme to honor our first decade. This focus underscores AWFF’s commitment to Asian cinema’s rich past as well as its ongoing efforts to champion contemporary and emerging Asian film,” says Georges N. Chamchoum, AWFF executive director.

AWFF’s heritage-themed activities will include a tribute to legendary Chinese-American actress Anna May Wong. The festival will screen the 1924’s “The Thief of Bagdad,” in which Wong co-starred. Wong’s niece, Anna Wong, will be in attendance for a Q&A.

Opening night film, “A Normal Family,” from Hur Jin-ho (“The Last Princess,” “Happiness”), premiered at the Toronto Intl. Film Festival. Based on Herman Koch’s bestseller “The Dinner,” the film stars Sul Kyung-gu and Jang Dong-gun.

Closing night film, ”Hello, Love, Again,” the sequel to “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” reunites director Cathy Garcia-Sampana with stars Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards. The filmmaker and actors will attend the screening.

New for 2024 are Asian Vision and Focus On.

Asian Vision showcases features that have screened at A-list film festivals or have earned significant international critical acclaim. The program culminates with the Asian Vision Best Film Award.

The Focus On program will screen new and classic films that explore the culture, customs and traditions of a country or region, with this year’s program focusing on Hong Kong, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Taiwan and Vietnam, with others to be announced at a later date.

The fest’s main competition program screens features that have been submitted by Asian countries for the Oscar international film race as well as the Golden Globes’ non-English language category.

The closing night gala celebrates with the awarding of Snow Leopard Trophies, which will be presented for best film, best actor, best actress and best cinematography, as well as a Special Jury Prize and Audience Award.