‘Squid Game’ Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, Zhang Ziyi, Jia Zhangke to Lead Masterclasses at Hong Kong’s Asian Film Awards

The Asian Film Awards Academy has unveiled a star-studded lineup for its 19th edition, announcing three major masterclass events featuring Hwang Dong-hyuk, creator of Netflix’s global phenomenon “Squid Game,” acclaimed Chinese director Jia Zhangke, and top actor Zhang Ziyi.

Presented by AFAA and supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Film Development Fund, the March 15 program will take place at the Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui district. The masterclasses span acting, auteur filmmaking and series creation, inviting audiences to explore contemporary cinema from multiple perspectives.

The Asian Film Awards Academy, a non-profit organization founded by the Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo international film festivals, aims to celebrate excellence in Asian cinema while promoting and recognizing Asian films and talent.

The academy previously announced it would suspend all competitive award categories for this year’s ceremony, presenting only special honors in a “dignified and minimalist manner” following last year’s devastating Hong Kong fire that claimed more than 150 lives. The revised format aligns with Hong Kong government guidance for restrained public events following the tragedy.

Hwang’s masterclass will examine his creative journey from social dramas like “Silenced” to the comedy “Miss Granny,” exploring how years of persistence culminated in “Squid Game,” which transformed childhood games into themes of class and survival that resonated globally.

Jia, known for his understated realism in films including “Pickpocket,” “Platform” and “Still Life,” will discuss his creative philosophy. The director, a regular presence at Venice, Cannes and Berlin film festivals, has spent decades capturing lives in a changing China.

Zhang’s session, combined with the awards ceremony, will focus on her approach to character-building and expanding narrative space for Chinese actors on the world stage. Known for performances in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “The Grandmaster” and “Jasmine Women,” Zhang has also served as a juror at major film festivals.

AFAA also unveiled three Youth Ambassadors: Thai actor Phiravich Attachitsataporn (Mean), Hong Kong’s Natalie Hsu and Taiwan’s Kent Tsai. The emerging Asian actors from different regions will attend the awards ceremony, highlighting new energy shaping Asian cinema’s future.

Since 2023, the Asian Film Awards’ featured programs have received enthusiastic response, with screenings and talks drawing strong interest. This year’s lineup will also include Asian Cinerama and In Conversation events, with further details to be announced.