Squid Game Creator Leads Masterclasses at 19th Asian Film Awards

The Asian Film Awards Academy has named Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, director Jia Zhangke, and actress Zhang Ziyi to lead masterclasses at the 19th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong. These events, set for March 15, aim to share insights on acting, directing, and series making with film fans and professionals. Tickets for the masterclasses and the awards ceremony go on sale February 10 at 11:00 Hong Kong time.

Background

The Asian Film Awards started in 2007 to honor top work in Asian movies. The academy behind it formed from the Busan, Hong Kong, and Tokyo film festivals. It brings together filmmakers, actors, and crew from across Asia to celebrate films and build ties in the industry.

Over the years, the awards have grown to include more than just prizes. They now run programs like masterclasses, film roadshows, and talks with directors. These efforts help spread Asian films to wider audiences and support new talent. Since 2023, the extra events have drawn big crowds, with tickets selling out fast.

The academy gets backing from groups like Create Hong Kong and the Film Development Fund. It works with places like the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and festivals in Barcelona and Edinburgh. Past guests include directors Johnnie To, Fruit Chan, and Kiyoshi Kurosawa.

This year's 19th edition keeps that tradition going. It lines up big names to talk about their craft. The masterclasses cover different sides of filmmaking, from turning everyday stories into big screen hits to building global series.

Key Details

The three masterclasses happen on March 15 in Hong Kong, all in one day.

Hwang Dong-hyuk Masterclass

Hwang Dong-hyuk, who made Netflix's Squid Game, speaks at 1:00 pm Hong Kong time. The show became a worldwide hit in 2021, with over 1.65 billion hours watched in its first month. Hwang wrote, directed, and produced the survival drama based on his own ideas about debt and competition. This session focuses on creating series.

Jia Zhangke Masterclass

Jia Zhangke takes the stage at 3:30 pm. His films, like Still Life and Ash Is Purest White, have played at top festivals in Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. He often films real people in changing China, mixing drama with daily life. His talk is titled 'Turning Ordinary Lives into the Memory of an Era.'

Zhang Ziyi Masterclass

Zhang Ziyi closes the day at 6:00 pm. Known for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Memoirs of a Geisha, she has starred in over 40 films. Her session covers her path as a leading actress on the world stage.

The academy also picked three Youth Ambassadors: Phiravich Attachitsataporn from Thailand, Natalie Hsu from Hong Kong, and Kent Tsai from Taiwan. These up-and-coming actors will join the awards ceremony. They represent fresh voices from different parts of Asia.

Tickets come in limited-edition packages for the masterclasses. They sell first-come, first-served starting February 10. More events like Asian Cinerama screenings and In Conversation talks are coming soon.

"These masterclasses invite audiences to explore contemporary cinema from multiple perspectives." – Asian Film Awards Academy

What This Means

Bringing Hwang, Jia, and Zhang together puts a spotlight on Asia's film power. Squid Game showed how Asian stories can grab global attention. Jia's work highlights independent voices from China. Zhang bridges Hollywood and Asian cinema.

For young filmmakers, these talks offer direct lessons from pros. The Youth Ambassadors program links new talent with established names. It helps build the next wave of Asian movies.

The events come as Asian films gain ground worldwide. Hits like Parasite and Everything Everywhere All at Once won Oscars. Streaming services now push more content from the region.

Hong Kong hosts the awards, a hub for cinema since the 1970s with stars like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. The masterclasses add to its role in drawing film lovers.

Selling tickets early shows high demand. Past years saw quick sell-outs. This could mean more buzz for the awards night.

The lineup also ties into wider academy efforts. Programs like film roadshows and student trips to festivals train new pros. They aim to grow markets and skills across Asia.

With support from local funds, these events stay free or low-cost for many. They reach students, fans, and workers in the field. Over time, this builds stronger networks.

The 19th Asian Film Awards look set to mix stars, lessons, and new faces. It keeps pushing Asian cinema forward.