Asian Cinema Disrupts the Big Screens at NYAFF 2025
By Kelli Luu | 11 Jul, 2025

New York Asian Film Festival returns to Manhattan to feature this year’s most daring and diverse stories straight from Asia.

The New York Asian Film Festival is back on July 11-27 bringing bold and boundary pushing cinema for its 24th year with over 100 exciting films from all across Asia. 

If you’re in Manhattan this month, NYAFF will be the place to catch movie premieres that you won't be able to find anywhere else. With explosive action movies to summer indie films, it truly is where some of the biggest talents get recognized. 

To celebrate films that are challenging societal norms, this year’s theme is Cinema as Disruption and it is being kicked off with “The Informant”, a crime action movie starring Squid Game actor Heo Sung-tae. 

Another gritty film making its North American premiere is the highly acclaimed Hong Kong drama "The Way We Talk” which follows a deaf woman learning to navigate the world using sign language. 

Screenings will be taking place across four different Manhattan venues: Lincoln Center, SVA Theater, LOOK Cinemas, and the Korean Cultural Center. Along with movie premieres there will also be live Q&As, panels and red carpet walks so fans do get the chance to be around global cinema stars. 

Special guests like Tadanobu Asano who is famously known for his roles in Thor and more recently, the TV series Shogun will be in attendance for a tribute screening and Q&A session. 

NYAFF also announced a special Vietnam Cinema Night which will be headlined by "Skin of Youth" , a Saigon love story involving a boxer and singer and the Shanghai Animation Studio Retrospective will feature restored animated Chinese classics. 

The event will continue the tradition of spotlighting new faces with the Uncaged Award that honors daring story telling by first- and second-time directors. Beyond the screens there will be afterparties taking place as well as local food vendor appearances that will keep the sense of community going. NYAFF is a place for filmmakers and film-lovers from all around the world to connect. 

With Asian cinema becoming more mainstream than ever, it feels like this year's NYAFF will be making a huge mark. Every year this festival pushes conversations forward and creates a space for underrepresented talent. So whether you’re a film fanatic or just want a unique night out in the heart of New York City, this is your chance to experience Asian storytelling on the big screen.