The Thai-produced hit comedy “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” was Sunday announced as the winner of the audience prize at the New York Asian Film Festival.
The film, from Thai director Pat Boonnitipat, stars ‘Billkin’ Putthipong Assaratanakul as a slacker who quits his job to become his grandma’s caregiver. It has claimed box office records for a Thai or Asian film in multiple Asian territories. Both director and star were present at the festival.
“The 23rd edition of the New York Asian Film Festival has shattered expectations, proving that Asian cinema’s appeal continues to surge across the city. With our expanded lineup of nearly 100 films across 5 screens, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented 33% growth in both attendance and box office revenue. One-third of our screenings sold out within days, a testament to New Yorkers’ appetite for diverse storytelling. Our expanded Thai and Taiwanese sections were particular highlights, while the triumphant return of major Hong Kong productions rekindled the city’s love affair with this vibrant cinema,” said NYAFF executive director and president of the New York Asian Film Foundation Samuel Jamier.
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The audience award runner-up was Soi Cheang’s Hong Kong actioner “Twilight Warrior: Walled In,” which also played as the closing ceremony. Third place was tied between Taiwanese director Leo Wang’s “Breaking and Re-entering,” a reverse-heist action-comedy, and Japanese director Shiraiishi Kazuya’s epic samurai film “Bushido.”
The festival’s Uncaged best film award, decided by a jury, went to “Snow in Midsummer.” The film is a Southeast Asian coproduction directed by Chong Keat Aun which tentatively probes the anti-Chinese riots of 1969 in Malaysia. The slow-moving drama has won numerous prizes on the international festival circuit and has recently gone on commercial release in Malaysia, where it has incurred heavy censorship.
A special jury award was also given to “Women from Rote Island,” directed by Jeremias Nyangoen from Indonesia.
The best short film award went to “Cross My Heart and Hope to Die,” from the Philippines’ Sam Manacsa. Two additional special mention awards were also announced, for “The Boys and the Donkey,” from China’s Tsering Yangjyab, and “White Butterfly,” from Vietnamese American director Catherine T. Nguyen.
The New York Asian Film Festival was co-presented by the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center. It ran at various locations July 12-28, 2024.
