The 16th Asian Film Awards, which will be held on March 12 (Sun) in Hong Kong, has selected Japanese actor Abe Hiroshi as the recipient of the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award.

“World Renowned Asian Actor Active on the Small Screen and in Theaters”
Japanese Actor ABE Hiroshi to Receive the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award!

The Asian Film Awards is an annual awards ceremony hosted by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA), an organization jointly established in 2013 by the Hong Kong International Film Festival, the Busan International Film Festival, and the Tokyo International Film Festival for the development of Asian cinema. The Excellence in Asian Cinema Award, which aims to highlight distinguished talents and recognize their achievements in and contributions to the Asian film industry and culture, will be presented to Japanese actor, Abe Hiroshi.

After making his debut in the 1987 film, Haikara-san ga Toru, he left a lasting impression by going on to take on daring and challenging roles in the drama series, Hero (2001), Dragon Zakura (2005), and He Who Can’t Marry (2006). Showing his talent in various professions as model, singer, and actor, he starred in numerous Kore-eda Hirokazu productions including Still Walking (2008), I Wish (2011), Going My Home (2012), and After the Storm (2016), and nicknamed the persona of the world renowned director.

Up to date, Abe Hiroshi has participated in more than 90 films, both at home and abroad, including Hong Kong and Japan’s co-production, Saga of the Phoenix (1990), Tokyo Raiders (2000), in which he starred alongside actors Tony Leung and Ekin Cheng, and director Chen Kaige’s Legend of the Demon Cat (2017), becoming one of the most influential figures in Asia.

Abe received the Best Actor Award at the 108th Drama Academy Awards and was awarded the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Actor in 2013. In 2015, Cape Nostalgia (2014) and Snow on the Blades (2014) won him the Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Award and the Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Award at the Japan Academy Film Prize respectively. In 2022, he received the Star Asia Award at the 2022 New York Asian Film Festival as a result of his 30 years of experience, reaffirming the dignity of a seasoned veteran.

This year, Abe Hiroshi has been selected to be the 11th recipient of the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award. In 2021, the award was presented to Lee Byung-hun, who became the first Korean actor to receive the honor.

Dr. Wilfred Wong, Chairman of the Asian Film Awards Academy, stated, "Abe Hiroshi's position in the Japanese entertainment industry is one of a kind. ABE Hiroshi's love of acting has brought freshness and vitality to Japanese film and television, and he is a major contributor to the development of Japanese entertainment."

On receiving the award, actor Abe Hiroshi said, “I am very honored to receive the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award” said Abe. “I am truly surprised to receive such a big award like the AFA. When I heard about the honor, I was so happy and grateful to have my crew by my side, who have been with me all these years, so I could share it with everyone.”

The 16th Asian Film Awards will take place on March 12 (Sun) at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Auditorium in the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

Asian Film Awards Academy📣

The Asian Film Awards Academy, a non-profit organization, was founded by Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo International Film Festivals to celebrate excellence in Asian cinema. Aiming to promote and recognize Asian films and their talents, AFAA highlights, strengthens and develops the Asian film industry through the annual Asian Film Awards and several year-round initiatives.