Osaka Asian Film Festival 2025 Awards Winners
Grand Prix (Best Picture Award)
Bound in Heaven
Jury Comments
While the themes that films depict are becoming more diverse, we were struck by the passion and intensity of this truly classic-style love story, which is not often chosen for film festivals. The destiny of the two leads immerses us unquestionably in the world of the film, and we are fascinated by the world that allows us to share in the cinematic joy of the film.
Most Promising Talent Award
PARK Ri-woong
박이웅
The Land of Morning Calm Director
Jury Comments
Most Promising Talent Award goes to Park Ri-woong. For his ability to see the good in people and his keen attention to details that reveal societal issues.
Winner’s comment
After OAFF, I found myself reflecting on the shimmering riverside of Osaka, the streets filled with diverse people, the grand temple of Nara, and the subtle scent of takoyaki that lingered everywhere.
It was such a joyful memory. I also realized that these synesthetic experiences were cinematic too. Thanks to OAFF, I had the opportunity to meet wonderful people and reflect on myself and all of us in such a beautiful place. I sincerely thank everyone who invited, welcomed, and watched the film. In honor of the name of this award, I will do my best to make good films so that this honor is not in vain. Thank you all.
Park Ri-woong
Special Mention
The Way We Talk
看我今天怎麼說
Jury Comments
Tuvshinbayar AMARTUVSHIN has demonstrated a non-disturbing, tranquil masculinity that resonates deeply with the cinematic realm. He’s able to convey inner feelings and capture the intricate complexity and solitude of his character in this serene but dark world.
Winner’s comment
I feel very honoured that Special Mention was awarded to The Way We Talk. Thank you jurors and all the audience I met at OAFF. Again heartfelt thanks to all the D/deaf and hard of hearing people whom I met during the creation of this film. You are the ones who have given enlightenment to this film in every stage.
Special shout out to the OAFF staff and my colleagues of One Cool Pictures, who have worked on the deaf accessibility on the screening of The Way We Talk, including the arrangement of sign language interpreters for the Q&A sessions and the related subtitling issue.
I hope this precious Special Mention Award could bring forth the release of The Way We Talk in Japan, and we are looking forward to reaching out more audience soon.
Adam WONG, Director
Best Actor Award
Tuvshinbayar AMARTUVSHIN
Silent City Driver
Jury Comments
Tuvshinbayar AMARTUVSHIN has demonstrated a non-disturbing, tranquil masculinity that resonates deeply with the cinematic realm. He’s able to convey inner feelings and capture the intricate complexity and solitude of his character in this serene but dark world.
Winner’s comment
The silent city that exists with us… Perhaps it’s something we fear to speak about, or something we hesitate to confront. But our film team has brought it to life with incredible power.
This award is truly special to me—it’s not just recognition, but a deeply meaningful honor, especially for my very first role as an actor. Cinema is a collaborative art form, and through me, you see the hard work of so many talented film team. That’s why I gave my all to this project, and receiving this award reassures me that I didn’t let down the trust placed in me.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to my amazing film team for their support and dedication. And of course, a heartfelt thank you to the Osaka Asian Film Festival for this incredible honor.
Tuvshinbayar AMARTUVSHIN
JAIHO Award
404 Still Remain
Jury Comments
The story unfolds at a brisk pace, and the two main characters give fresh performances. The scenery they see from the bus window is intertwined with the music and leaves a beautiful aftertaste. And then the boy becomes an adult. A masterpiece of “boy meets boy” cinema.
Winner’s comment
I am grateful to receive such a meaningful award. I was happy to meet the Japanese audience at this screening and hope to see you again in Japan. Thank you very much.
UHM Ha-neul, Director
Yakushi Pearl Award
Alexia KAO 高伊玲
LAN Wei-Hua 藍葦華
TSENG Jing-Hua 曾敬驊
Queena HUANG 黃珮琪
Family Matters 我家的事
Jury Comments
The Yakushi Pearl Award for Best Performer is presented to the four actors who portrayed the main family members in Family Matters: Alexia KA, LAN Wei-Hua, TSENG Jing Hua, and Queena HUANG. They expressed the complex emotions of each family member with a superb ensemble performance and contributed to the creation of a great masterpiece by the feature-film debut director.
JAPAN CUTS Award
So Beautiful, Wonderful and Lovely
素敵すぎて素敵すぎて素敵すぎる
Jury Comments
We are pleased to present the JAPAN CUTS Award to OKAWARA Megumi’s So Beautiful, Wonderful and Lovely, a rapid-fire demonstration of versatile editing and camera techniques, playfully absurd humor and heartfelt storytelling. Imbued with a sense of real youthful energy at its core, writer/director/editor and lead actor OKAWARA packs the film with a tumult of creative ideas and ambition over the course of its brief yet consequential runtime.
Winner’s comment
I was very surprised, delighted, and humbled to receive the JAPAN CUTS Award, as I have been watching wonderful films every day at the Osaka Asian Film Festival and have been asking myself questions about my own filmmaking.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at the Osaka Asian Film Festival, the jury, the cast and crew, and everyone who worked so hard on this film.
Although the film is a quirky and roundabout journey, it has captured many wonderful moments. I will do my best to show this film to as many people as possible.
Thank you very much.
OKAWARA Megumi, Director
Housen Short Film Award
WAShhh
洗浄
Jury Comments
Almost like a real-time experience, the film skillfully immerses the audience with limited space
and time and efficiently puts them in the shoes of female characters. With its black-and-white
cinematography, the film creates an intensity without sensationalizing. It is a both realistic
and symbolic work that accuses the absurdity of the system, challenging the taboo.
Winner’s comment
Thank you, OAFF, for screening WAShhh and recognizing our team’s work. Being here has been truly special. Japanese cinema, especially Ozu and Kore-eda, taught me to find beauty in life’s quiet moments. That’s what made me fall in love with film when I first started. The conversations I’ve had with the Japanese audience at the festival have been inspiring — your love for cinema reminds me why I do this. This award isn’t just recognition, it’s a reminder to stay kind and keep telling stories of people, to people. I’m deeply grateful for this gift and will carry it with me.
Mickey LAI, Director
Special Mention
The Melancholy of a Brass Player for Brass Quintet
金管五重奏の為の喇叭吹きの憂鬱
Jury Comments
I am totally energized. (Adam WONG)
Editing, sound design, and tempo — I’ve never seen anything like it before. It doesn’t make any
sense but also makes perfect sense. (John HSU)
It achieves anarchy like a silent film. (KINOSHITA Chika)
Winner’s comment
I am very honored to receive the special mention.
I was a member of the brass band for nine years from elementary school to high school, and I feel that those nine years have come to fruition and paid off.
I would like to express my gratitude to all the staff members who participated in the filming in Nagano, despite the intense heat and torrential rain, and to the five actors who practiced and performed on stage with no previous experience with their instruments.
Encouraged by this recognition, I would like to continue to be involved in filmmaking.
Three days before the shooting, we accidentally bent a borrowed trombone. It has been a year and a half since the big accident. It’s about time to get it repaired.
FURUYA Daichi, Director
Audience Award
The Tales of Kurashiki
蔵のある街
Winner’s comment
I am truly happy to receive the Audience Award!
The Tale of Kurashiki is based on the story of fireworks that were set off during the Covid-19 pandemic, which divided people from each other. The film aims to connect people to people and region to region.
Receiving the Audience Award has made me confident that I have connected with everyone who participated in the Osaka Asian Film Festival.
This award was a great reward for all the staff and cast members. It was a great encouragement. Thank you very much.
HIRAMATSU Emiko, Director
