‘Samsara,’ ‘It Was Just an Accident,’ ‘Magellan’ Lead APSA Nominations

Garin Nugroho’s “Samsara,” Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident” and Lav Diaz’s “Magellan” are among the top nominees for the 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA), the Asia Pacific Screen Academy has revealed.

The Indonesian drama “Samsara” leads with three nominations, while “It Was Just an Accident” (Iran, France, Luxembourg) and “Magellan” (Portugal, Spain, France, Philippines, Taiwan) each earned two nominations. Cai Shangjun’s “The Sun Rises on Us All” (China) and Sho Miyake’s “Two Seasons, Two Strangers” (Japan) round out the best film category, also with two nominations apiece.

These five films are competing in additional categories including best director, best cinematography and best performance. “Yunan” (Germany, Canada, Italy, Palestine, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia) also earned multiple nominations for best cinematography and best performance.

In a notable trend, 48% of the directors of nominated films are presenting only their first or second feature, underscoring the awards’ role in launching emerging talent from the region. The best animated film category is particularly striking, with all nominated directors making their directorial debuts.

“With almost half the nominated works being debut features, 2025 is a testament to the vitality and innovation of emerging voices across our diverse region,” said Tracey Vieira, chair of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

The ceremony will take place Nov. 27 at The Langham, Gold Coast and Jewel Private Residences, in partnership with strategic sponsor Jewel Private Residences. The event runs alongside the 7th Asia Pacific Screen Forum, scheduled for Nov. 24-27, under the theme Beyond Borders.

The forum will focus on five key areas: transcending boundaries through innovative collaborations, cultural bridge-building, self-empowerment in a fragmented world, innovation over convention, and transforming vision into reality. Programming includes the initiative Post Code Doesn’t Matter, led by Women in Film & Television Australia, sessions on development and breaking into new markets, and country-specific roundtables.

“It is an exciting time for the Gold Coast to host this important event where we will see filmmakers across the Asia Pacific region come with a project and leave with a pathway,” Vieira added.

The event is supported by major partners including the City of Gold Coast, Screen Queensland, Motion Picture Association Asia Pacific, The Langham Gold Coast, and The Post Lounge Group.

APSA represents 78 countries and areas across the Asia Pacific region.

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES

Best Film
“It Was Just an Accident” — Islamic Republic of Iran, France, Luxembourg. Directed by Jafar Panahi
“Magellan” — Portugal, Spain, France, Philippines, Taiwan. Directed by Lav Diaz
“Samsara” — Indonesia. Directed by Garin Nugroho
“The Sun Rises on Us All” — People’s Republic of China. Directed by Cai Shangjun
“Two Seasons, Two Strangers” — Japan. Directed by Sho Miyake

Best Director
Amir Azizi for “Inside Amir” — Islamic Republic of Iran
Jafar Panahi for “It Was Just an Accident” — Islamic Republic of Iran, France, Luxembourg
Akio Fujimoto for “Lost Land” — Japan, France, Malaysia, Germany
Garin Nugroho for “Samsara” — Indonesia
Sengedorj Janchivdorj for “Silent City Driver” — Mongolia

Best Screenplay
Shu Qi for “Girl” — Taiwan
Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit for “Human Resource” — Thailand
Annemarie Jacir for “Palestine 36” — Palestine, U.K., France, Denmark, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan
Chie Hayakawa for “Renoir” — Japan, France, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar
Kaouther Ben Hania for “The Voice of Hind Rajab” — Tunisia, France

Best Performance
Khairiah Nathmy for “Hijra” — Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, U.K.
Sean Lau for “Papa” — Hong Kong
Xin Zhilei for “The Sun Rises on Us All” — People’s Republic of China
Ariel Bronz for “Yes” — France, Israel, Cyprus, Germany
Georges Khabbaz for “Yunan” — Germany, Canada, Italy, Palestine, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia

Best Youth Film
“Amoeba” — Singapore, Netherlands, France, Spain, Republic of Korea. Directed by Tan Siyou
“Before the Bright Day” — Taiwan. Directed by Tsao Shih-Han
“The President’s Cake” — Iraq, U.S., Qatar. Directed by Hasan Hadi
“Village Rockstars 2” — India, Singapore, People’s Republic of China. Directed by Rima Das
“The World of Love” — Republic of Korea. Directed by Yoon Ga-eun

Best Animated Film
“Another World” — Hong Kong. Directed by Tommy Ng Kai Chung
“ChaO” — Japan. Directed by Yasuhiro Aoki
“The Lost Tiger” — Australia. Directed by Chantelle Murray
“The Square” — Republic of Korea. Directed by Kim Bo-sol
“A Story About Fire” — People’s Republic of China. Directed by Wenyu Li

Best Documentary Film
“10s Across the Borders” — Philippines, Singapore, Germany. Directed by Chan Sze-Wei
“Always” — U.S., France, People’s Republic of China, Taiwan. Directed by Deming Chen
“Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk” — France, Palestine. Directed by Sepideh Farsi
“We Live Here” — Kazakhstan. Directed by Zhanana Kurmasheva
“Writing Hawa” — France, Netherlands, Qatar, Afghanistan. Directed by Najiba Noori

Best Cinematography
Artur Tort, Lav Diaz for “Magellan” — Portugal, Spain, France, Philippines, Taiwan
Prabhath Roshan for “Riverstone” — Sri Lanka
Batara Goempar for “Samsara” — Indonesia
Yuta Tsukinaga for “Two Seasons, Two Strangers” — Japan
Ronald Plante for “Yunan” — Germany, Canada, Italy, Palestine, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia